The CX-30 is based on the Mazda 3 compact car, which explains its athleticism and its class-above cabin furnishings—both of which set it apart from rivals such as the Subaru Crosstrek and the Volkswagen Taos.
Comfortable, finished with care (the materials and coverings are refined: only the less visible plastics clash a little), spacious for four adults and with a good-sized trunk, the Mazda CX-30 has been in the works since 2019.
However, the smallest of the Japanese company’s crossovers remains a car in step with the times: thanks to a simple and elegant line, which stands out at a glance from the more “complicated” one of many rivals, and to the recent updates (here to find out more) to the multimedia system.
(The display is 10.5 instead of 8.8 inches and, by activating Android Auto or Apple Car Play, the head-up display now shows the navigation instructions) and to the calibration of the many and refined electronic systems driving assistance as standard (there is even automatic braking in reverse and warning of other vehicles approaching intersections).
With the entry-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder, the CX-30 can feel a bit sluggish, but if you’re so inclined, Mazda offers a more powerful—and more expensive—250-hp turbocharged version.
All-wheel drive is standard with either engine; both come with a six-speed automatic transmission. The higher-end trims offer near-luxury accommodations inside, which make the CX-30 a more luxurious option in the subcompact crossover segment.
Design & Body
If the bodywork, devoid of frills, focuses on the classic, the mechanics of the Mazda CX-30 marries original solutions. All versions are mild hybrid, with a large (for the type of car) 2.0 non-turbo engine supported by a small 8 HP electric unit. We tried the most powerful one Skyactiv-X, which is characterized by a particular combustion.
When you don’t need a lot of power, the blend And very thin (the air/fuel ratio is 36.8:1 instead of 14.7:1, as in other situations), a bit like what happens in diesel engines, to the benefit of consumption (on average, with driving that doesn’t pay attention too much to the economy, we estimate we can exceed 15 km/litre).
It Must Be Revved To Shoot
This solution also offers advantages in terms of power: the 2.0 reaches i 186 HP while the other versions (Skyactiv-G) stop at 122 or 150. In practice you get a smooth push, a little limp at low revs but vigorous (and surrounded by a sound that satisfies sports enthusiasts) as the needle approaches the red zone of the rev counter.
The manual transmission with six gears (there is also an automatic on request, with the same number of ratios) it should therefore be used frequently if you need to keep the engine lively; the ratios are quite long, but it is pleasant to use, thanks to the short lever and the comfortable grip of the knob.
The Mazda CX-30 it is not the most suitable car for “racing”, but the suspensions, neither too stiff nor too soft, manage to offer good balance between comfort and road holding. Only on the most marked bumps does the car jolt a little, and, even if when tackling curves in a slightly too “happy” way it tends to rest on the inside wheels, it remains stable. The 4×4 traction of the version we drove on a snowy track, however, makes a clear contribution in the event of treacherous surfaces.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The CX-30’s standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic which chooses gears wisely based on driving conditions. A turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is optional and provides 250 horsepower.
If you’re a fan of the Mazda 3 hatchback, which we are, you’ll find the CX-30 just as nimble, athletic, and fun to drive. Its crisp steering and fluid body movements make it a pleasure to pilot on a twisty road and provide a sense of stability when cruising.
At our test track, the CX-30 dawdled to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, slower than rivals such as the turbocharged Kona but much quicker than other non-turbocharged SUVs such as the Kia Niro and the Subaru Crosstrek. A CX-30 with the optional turbocharged engine delivered substantially quicker acceleration times and managed a 5.8-second zero-to-60-mph time.
In Unfavorable Conditions It Helps You (And Does Not Stress You)
Also proposed for the 3 sedan (with which the Mazda CX-30 shares the mechanics) and for the CX-5 and CX-60 SUVs (the latter is the only one in the range to have, basically, rear-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive), the 4×4 system of the CX-30 uses a multi-plate clutch with rapid electronic management to transfer power to the rear: a multitude of sensors “read” everything that is happening under the wheels and, in the event of a loss of grip, up to 50% of the torque is sent to rear wheels, avoiding skidding and keeping the car on track without forcing the driver to work overtime with the steering wheel. Any corrections are made safely even in emergency situations, such as sudden braking or steering, or when you exaggerate a little with the accelerator pedal.
Trims
While that optional 256-hp turbocharged engine is alluring, it unfortunately only comes on the most expensive trims. We think most people will find the standard engine fine, so we’d recommend that those buyers stick with that powertrain and select the Preferred trim.
The Preferred trim includes an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, a power sunroof, silver-painted 18-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and keyless entry. All non turbo trim levels come with the same 191-hp 2.5-liter engine, and all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.
Mazda CX-30 Pricing
The price of the 2024 Mazda CX-30 starts at $26,370 depending on the trim and options.