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The Mazda CX-30 Turbo competes in the largest and most popular segment and still effortlessly stands out from the pack.

Mazda is one car brand that seems never to do anything wrong. They make brilliant sports cars like the Mazda Miata, build family-friendly SUVs like the CX-50, and finally perfected the compact crossover segment with the CX-30 Turbo.

Now hold your horses, the CX-30 isn't quite as performance-orientated as the Hyundai Kona N for example, but for the price tag it wears, it does one bang-up job. Today we'll be diving into the CX-30 Turbo's roots and see what makes it tick, why it's such a vigilant vehicle, and why it's ultimately worth your time.

Generally, cars with small turbocharged engines tend to function best when revved through their gears, but the CX-30 Turbo doesn't quite conform to those rules. The engine that lays underneath the CX-30's hood is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-banger that produces up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

Not only does the torque figure reign superior to that of the horsepower, but all of its torque is already available at just 2,500 rpm. So, as you can imagine, there will never be a yearning for more thrust in this little Mazda crossover.

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The Mazda CX-30 is jam-packed full of features. Its safety features are the highlight here with systems like automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist all being standard – that's just the tip of the iceberg.

If you're one for gimmicks, you're going to love what the MyMazda mobile app allows you to do from anywhere in the world. It can do all the run-of-the-mill party tricks like locking and unlocking your vehicle, as well as checking your next service date and other necessities. Furthermore, you can start your engine remotely too... this does however depend on where you're located as some countries' legislation doesn't prohibit such acts.

The base model CX-30 starts at $23,775, deeming it one of the most affordable new compact SUVs money can buy. The CX-30 Turbo costs a tad more, unfortunately – $31,775 to be exact. Now, is the upgrade worth the $8,000 premium?

To put it blatantly, yes. Not only do you receive all of the luxuries in the cabin, but you benefit from a powertrain that produces 64 hp and 124 lb-ft more than the base model. If that's not the new car bargain of the century, we don't know what is.

In today's world, it seems like there are more optional extras than there are standard features offered on cars. Thankfully, this is not the case with the CX-30. Some of the most stand-out standard features include faux leather upholstery, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and this system (called Mazda Connect) supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay too. It's also worth mentioning that all CX-30 models come standard with all-wheel-drive.

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However, if you were to go for the top-of-the-range Turbo Premium Plus, you'll receive some luxuries like a fully-fledged leather interior, a heated steering wheel as well as heated and electronically adjustable front seats.

As we've stated, all CX-30s have a standard all-wheel-drive system, and we're happy to report that it's not just for peace of mind – the CX-30 is viable in all weather conditions. Mazda's all-wheel-drive system, called i-Activ AWD, allows the CX-30 Turbo to perform well off the road, as well as on the road.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo has 8 inches of ground clearance, just a few inches shy of a Jeep Wrangler (no, size doesn't matter that much), and rides on 18-inch all-season tires. These tires prioritize keeping you planted in the snow, but they also allow for insane grip. As a result, the CX-30 Turbo can reach 60 mph from a stop in as quick as 5.8 seconds.

There are a few reasons why the CX-30's exterior is so charming. First of all, the color options. Take for example this deep metallic red color that Mazda calls Soul Red Crystal Metallic.

Furthermore, its plastic cladding on the outside is well-executed, unlike other crossovers like the weird Toyota BZ4X. The Mazda CX-30 found the perfect balance between being a stand-out crossover and a sensible luxury car.

Most modern car brands are adopting a seamless interior design, but more often than not this leads to a lack of physical knobs and buttons. Fortunately, that's not the case with the CX-30 Turbo.

Although the cabin might look streamlined, it wasn't made so at the cost of physical controls. Also, the materials used throughout the cockpit are supple and durable... this might become a problem for other luxury auto brands.

As a rule of thumb, crossovers suffer from severe body roll due to them having a higher ride height than the car they're based on – in this case, it's the Mazda 3. Due to some revised suspension work, and a capable all-wheel-drive system, the Mazda CX-30 Turbo doesn't suffer from an extensive amount of body roll, and in turn, grips through corners pretty well.

Sure, it's not unbelievably flat through tight twists, but yet again, isn't this what adds to the fun factor? It's always much more fun to drive a so-called slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow.

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Remember how mentioning the impeccable build quality might end up being a worry for luxury-orientated carmakers? Well, it has already happened, and Mazda stepped on some European brands' toes.

The two main victims hereof are Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Volvo used to be the underdog carmaker producing cars that cost less than the competition but provided the same level of serenity. Mercedes on the other hand has never been one to cut costs, but that did not prove to be enough to make them immune against brands like Mazda...

There are countless crossovers for sale at the moment, and they form a gigantic part of the automotive market at this point. So, needless to say, the Mazda CX-30 Turbo has some stiff competition to go up against.

That said, the Mazda basically wipes the floor with them all. The Hyundai Kona might be a tad cheaper in comparison, but then again it's also less practical and less fun to drive. Additionally, the Kia Soul is one of the cheapest cars on sale at the moment, but even that price difference can't justify the quality difference between the two crossovers.

Marnus Moolman is a young aspiring automotive writer from South Africa who is making a name for himself, despite his young age. Currently, he is studying to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting to pursue his lifetime dream of running his own automotive detailing establishment.