There are drives that feel like errands. And there are drives that feel like reconnaissance missions across the American landscape. The 210-mile stretch from Denver to Lamar belongs firmly in the second category. Tim Fritz of Loveland joined me for this southeastern Colorado run, a business trip ali gned with meetings in Lamar and a visit to the Southeast Colorado Regional Airport (SCRA). Tim is a former State Representative from Loveland and became Colorado’s first ever Director of the Office of Aerospace Aeronautics. We charted a practical course: south and east out of metro Denver on I-70, then U.S. 287 carving across the plains like a surveyor’s line, returning by reversing the same route, for a nearly 420-mile round-trip road test. Our transport: the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S Carbon Edition in Aero Gray Metallic, black and melange gray interior. A compact crossover that, on paper, might seem modest. On the open road, it revealed something more nuanced. Powertrain and performance Under the hood is Mazda’s Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission featuring sport mode. Output lands at 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque in this configuration, routed through Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive. From a dead stop, the CX-30 reaches 60 mph in approximately 8.0 seconds, placing it squarely in competitive territory for the segment. It is not a track weapon, but it is decisively competent merging onto I-70 or overtaking a semi along 287. Road trip character Eastern Colorado has a rhythm all its own. Grain elevators rise like prairie cathedrals. Long stretches of asphalt shimmer toward the horizon. It is the kind of terrain that tests a vehicle’s comfort, quietness and highway manners. The CX-30 acquitted itself well. The 18-inch black alloy wheels and black roof spoiler lend the Carbon Edition a subtle athletic stance. LED headlights, daytime running lights and rain-sensing wipers handled shifting skies with little input from the driver. Mazda’s cabin design remains one of its strongest calling cards. The 10.25-inch center display with touchscreen functionality, multifunction commander control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging and Alexa Built-In all worked seamlessly. Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents kept the cabin comfortable even as temperatures shifted between Denver and the Arkansas River Valley. This is a compact crossover, yet it never felt cramped. It felt efficient. Purposeful. Safety and technology Mazda has equipped the CX-30 with a robust suite of safety features: Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Smart Brake Support, Driver Attention Alert and Vehicle Exit Warning. Add in front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, dynamic stability control, traction control and a full complement of airbags, and the CX-30 offers the kind of security that modern buyers rightly expect. The i-Activ AWD system proved particularly welcome on uneven stretches and during a brief gravel detour near Lamar. Grip was confident and predictable. Now to the bigger picture – The affordability equation The ‘as-tested’ MSRP for this 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S Carbon Edition: $33,130. In an era when the average new-vehicle transaction price in America has surged past $50,000, this figure deserves attention. Eight years ago, that average hovered closer to $35,000. Inflation and market dynamics have reshaped the automotive landscape dramatically. I have long advocated for manufacturers to reintroduce genuine affordability into the market. The CX-30 bends that affordability arc back toward reason. It offers style, advanced safety, all-wheel drive capability and road-trip comfort for nearly $17,000 less than today’s average new-car price. That is not insignificant. It is meaningful. Final impressions The 2026 Mazda CX-30 will not overwhelm you with brute force. Instead, it wins through balance. It is nimble without being nervous. Comfortable without being detached. Stylish without shouting. And, importantly, attainable in a marketplace increasingly defined by eye-watering sticker prices. As Tim Fritz and I rolled back into Denver after a big day of meetings in Lamar and discussions about expanding regional aviation services, the CX-30 felt like the right kind of companion for Colorado’s diverse geography. From city streets to open plains to interstate corridors, it adapted with quiet confidence. Related ArticlesMarch 6, 2026 Sponsored: Buyers return in February as Denver home prices dip and inventory climbs March 5, 2026 Sponsored: Small Truck, Big Attitude: Ford’s 2026 Maverick Lobo Shines bright on Lookout Mountain March 4, 2026 Sponsored: Who’s Liable in a Collision with an Autonomous Vehicle? February 26, 2026 Sponsored: Colorado ranks 28th for family-friendly home buyers in national study February 19, 2026 Sponsored: Colorado market recalibrates with cautious homebuyers, realistic sellers For drivers seeking an affordable, well-equipped crossover that can handle both daily commuting and a 420-mile business run across the state, the 2026 Mazda CX-30 makes a compelling case. In a market tilted toward excess, this Mazda reminds us that smart, well-engineered practicality still has a place on the road. Errors and Omission: Regarding last week’s review of the impressive Ford Maverick Lobo, regular readers loudly let me know I missed that mark. I did. It has a 2.0 Liter Ecoboost engine with an automatic transmission. Email: [email protected] Phone: 303-667-3995 The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation. ...read more read less