There are various several types of SUV.
There’s not simply the dichotomy between rugged, body-on-frame SUVs and extra car-like unibody crossover wagons.
Trying inside simply the latter class, there are fashions with boxy our bodies, ones that attempt to appear to be coupes, and others that actually simply appear to be hatchbacks on stilts.
The Mazda CX-30 is likely one of the latter. Certain, it shares basically nothing externally with the Mazda 3 hatchback it’s carefully associated to below the pores and skin, however strip away these overly chunky black plastic wheel-arches and drop the experience peak a bit and, nicely, it positive appears like a hatchback.
The CX-30 now outsells the Mazda 3 and it prices extra, which implies it’s more likely to be extra worthwhile for the model.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate on the 2020 Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve
They could have related silhouettes however the CX-30 has a extra hospitable again seat, whereas solely the CX-30 provides the choice of all-wheel drive in Australia.
That’s what we’ve put to the take a look at: an all-wheel drive CX-30 in second-from-top GT SP trim. It’s completed in a beautiful Platinum Quartz metallic paint end however, because it’s a CX-30 not carrying the Astina badge, it’s bafflingly saddled with halogen daytime working lights. Yuck.
When you’re utilizing the again seats, the CX-30 is arguably already definitely worth the value premium over a Mazda 3. However is that this hatchback-style SUV at its finest in GT SP AWD trim?
How does the Mazda CX-30 examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mazda CX-30 towards equally sized autos.
Mazda
CX-30
How a lot does the Mazda CX-30 price?
On take a look at right here is the GT SP, which is the penultimate trim stage within the vary. It’s accessible in front- and all-wheel drive – our take a look at automobile has the latter.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure | $33,940 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve | $35,840 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring | $39,640 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring | $41,140 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring LE | $41,940 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Astina | $44,840 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP | $43,140 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP AWD | $45,140 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina | $46,340 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina AWD | $48,340 |
To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s the Mazda CX-30 like on the within?
The CX-30 has one of the vital upscale interiors within the small SUV section by far, and the purple leather-based trim of the GT SP actually makes it pop.
The dashboard design is considerably odd in look, however materials high quality is class-leading.
Mazda has nailed the important thing contact factors. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels tender and supple, although a few of its switchgear is a bit fiddly.
There’s leatherette padding on the perimeters of the centre console, a soft-touch sprint prime and a few significantly tender trim throughout the entrance of the sprint. Likewise, the entrance doorways have soft-touch trim up prime, and have leatherette accents additional down.
There are nonetheless buttons and knobs for the local weather management, and these have a tactile, satisfying operation and look good-looking as well.
Mazda has employed some shiny black trim on the centre console, however look carefully and it has a carbon-fibre weave look to it, which makes it a bit extra fascinating if no much less smudge-prone.
The centre console is intelligent. There’s a sliding lid for the centre bin, permitting you to cowl extra of the console.
Different storage consists of bottle holders within the doorways that may truly match a 1.5L water bottle, a competitively sized glove compartment, plus a wierd cubby to the right-hand aspect of the steering wheel. This has a big door however solely a tiny house that may match maybe just a few cash.
Maybe to maintain the centre stack and console trying clear, Mazda has additionally buried some buttons over right here just like the one to manually activate the digicam, in addition to the hill descent management change.
Whereas that’s not significantly intelligent, we do admire the sunshine that comes on on the wiper stalk to let you already know when rain-sensing mode is on.
Mazda has made the optimistic step in including contact performance again to a few of its vehicles’ screens, if solely while you’re utilizing smartphone mirroring. There’s additionally nonetheless the helpful rotary dial for navigating all the opposite screens.
There’s only one downside: Mazda continues to be positioning its infotainment screens like they don’t have contact performance even after they do. It’s an enormous stretch making an attempt to achieve the display screen.
The infotainment interface is enticing and intuitive, although we didn’t expertise the smoothest reference to wi-fi Android Auto.
It wouldn’t drop out, however there could be slight skipping on songs. This wasn’t one thing we skilled in Audi and Chevrolet fashions that got here by way of our storage across the identical time.
The CX-30 has a reasonably excessive belt line and slim home windows, but it surely feels airier inside than a Mazda 3 hatchback.
The purple leather-based trim additionally brightens the cabin up, although we’ve felt nicer leather-based.
Step into the again and there’s an honest if not excellent quantity of room. The entrance seatbacks are helpfully scooped out and, at 180cm tall, I had enough headroom, knee room and leg room, although boxier small SUVs just like the Kia Seltos really feel extra spacious again right here.
There are top-tether anchor factors for youngster seats, in addition to ISOFIX factors for the outboard seats. You additionally get a pair of air vents again right here, plus map pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. No USB shops, although.
Boot house is a claimed 317L, once more down on boxier rivals just like the Seltos. Underneath the boot ground you’ll discover a space-saver spare.
| 2025 Mazda CX-30 | |
|---|---|
| Size | 4395mm |
| Width | 1795mm |
| Top | 1540mm |
| Wheelbase | 2655mm |
| Boot capability | 317L |
To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
Our tester is supplied with the bigger and extra highly effective G25 four-cylinder petrol engine.
| Specs | Mazda CX-30 GT SP AWD |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L 4cyl naturally aspirated |
| Energy | 139kW |
| Torque | 252Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1546kg |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 6.8L/100km |
| Gasoline financial system (as examined) | 9.7L/100km (inner-city, suburban and freeway loop) 11.3L/100km (over the course of every week) |
| Gasoline tank capability | 48L |
| Gasoline requirement | 91-octane common unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 157g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capability | 1200kg |
Mazda claims combined-cycle gasoline financial system of 6.8L/100km with the CX-30 GT SP AWD – 0.2L/100km greater than a front-wheel drive model – and concrete gasoline consumption of 8.7L/100km.
Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and freeway driving, we averaged 9.7L/100km. Over the course of every week, admittedly with a heavy skew in the direction of city driving, gasoline consumption rose to 11.3L/100km.
We’ve noticed higher gasoline financial system within the Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI, despite the fact that the rival SUV has claimed combined-cycle gasoline financial system that’s increased.
To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How does the Mazda CX-30 drive?
Huge engine, small automobile.
The CX-30 needs to be enjoyable, and with the turbocharged model of this engine accessible in North America it in all probability is.
However this naturally aspirated engine, mixed with a six-speed automated, merely isn’t as fulfilling as rivals with typically smaller displacement however turbocharged engines.
The transmission deserves many of the blame. It doesn’t shift as easily because it ought to, with some pronounced shifts and even a little bit of jerkiness among the many decrease ratios.
The CX-30 additionally awkwardly swapped cogs when on steep grades, which furthered the sensation of the Mazda being a bit breathless.
I hardly ever use paddle shifters however I discovered myself utilizing them on a number of events with the CX-30. The engine additionally has a droning observe that isn’t significantly nice to take heed to, although from outdoors the automobile it sounds fascinating.
General, the powertrain lacks the snappy shifts and low-end responsiveness of the torquier Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI and Cupra Formentor V.
Alas, whereas it’s a bit underdone within the powertrain division, the ‘zoom-zoom’ of us have given the CX-30 a agency and ‘sporty’ experience. We’d cease in need of calling it uncomfortable, but it surely communicates all the main points of the highway floor.
At increased speeds, the CX-30 is extra nice. The cabin can also be decently insulated from noise, although some tyre roar leaks in throughout coarse-chip surfaces. These tyres can even howl throughout spirited driving.
We’d love for the turbocharged engine to return right here as a result of the CX-30 is an fulfilling steer in the event you put aside the disappointing powertrain.
The steering is well-weighted and whereas there’s a bit extra physique roll than with a Mazda 3, the CX-30 handles nicely and stays good and flat in corners.
Compression and rebound damping is managed nicely throughout floor modifications, too – this nonetheless feels extra hatchback than SUV.
The motive force help techniques usually work nicely, although we did expertise one notable exception.
Driving up a carpark ramp, the autonomous emergency braking system utilized the brakes despite the fact that we had been driving at low velocity and there was no oncoming car or imminent danger of collision. Happily, this solely occurred as soon as.
Out on the highway, the lane-keep help works nicely with out feeling too intrusive. There’s additionally a lane centring perform with the Imaginative and prescient Know-how Package deal that works nicely, although it is going to ding at you each time it detects a break in lane markings.
The Imaginative and prescient package deal additionally brings a surround-view digicam with glorious decision.
The CX-30’s adaptive cruise management works nicely, and there’s additionally a separate velocity limiter perform which is helpful.
We’ve already spoken of gasoline consumption which was increased than anticipated, significantly given the Mazda has an automated engine idle-stop system to enhance effectivity. This technique is definitely among the many smoothest on the market, and by no means aggravated us sufficient to make us need to flip it off.
All-wheel drive doesn’t actual a lot of a gasoline financial system penalty, at the very least on paper. However given the CX-30’s modest outputs, it’s not just like the AWD system is required to assist get all this energy to the bottom.
Certain, some moist climate on the finish of our mortgage made us higher admire the presence of all-paw traction. However with stability management and an excellent set of tyres with loads of tread, you scarcely want all-wheel drive for wet climate, and we don’t precisely have loads of snow on this nation.
We reckon most patrons could be well-served by the extra inexpensive front-wheel drive choice.
To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What do you get?
2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure tools highlights:
- Mazda Related Providers
- Car locator
- Geofencing
- Flashing lights function
- Curfew notifications
- Distant locking
- Car well being
- Standing studies
- Stolen car monitoring help
- 16-inch gray alloy wheels
- House-saver spare wheel
- Computerized LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Computerized power-folding aspect mirrors
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8.8-inch infotainment system
- Head-up show
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 2x USB-C ports (replaces USB-A)
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Eight-speaker sound system
- Push-button begin
- Leather-based-wrapped shifter
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Material upholstery
Evolve provides:
- 18-inch silver alloy wheels
- Paddle shifters
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- Overhead sunglass storage
- Rear fold-down centre armrest
Touring provides:
- Entrance parking sensors
- Auto-dimming driver’s aspect mirror
- Reverse tilt-down driver’s aspect mirror
- Aspect mirror reminiscence
- Keyless entry
- Illuminated entrance vainness mirrors
- Black leather-based upholstery
- 10-way energy driver’s seat
- Two-position driver’s seat reminiscence
Touring LE provides:
- Black 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black grille
- Signature spoiler
- Black mirror caps
- Terracotta ‘Maztex’ and suede upholstery
- Terracotta armrest, centre console, door card and dashboard distinction stitching
- Imaginative and prescient Know-how package deal
- Entrance cross-traffic alert
- Cruising & Site visitors Assist
- Driver monitoring system
- Encompass-view monitor
- 10.25-inch infotainment system
GT SP provides (over Touring):
- 18-inch black alloy wheels
- Energy tilt and slide glass sunroof
- Gloss black grille
- Gloss black aspect mirrors
- 10.25-inch infotainment system
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated entrance seats
- Burgundy leather-based upholstery
The Imaginative and prescient Know-how package deal ($2000, G20 Pure and Evolve; $1800, G20 and G25 Touring; $1300, G25 GT SP FWD and AWD) provides:
- Entrance cross-traffic alert
- Cruising & Site visitors Assist
- Driver monitoring system
- Encompass-view digicam
- Entrance parking sensors (G20 Pure and G20 Evolve solely)
- 10.25-inch infotainment system (G20 Pure, G20 Evolve, G20 Touring, G25 Touring)
To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
Is the Mazda CX-30 secure?
The Mazda CX-30 acquired a five-star ANCAP security score again in 2019.
| Class | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 99 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Weak highway person safety | 80 per cent |
| Security help | 76 per cent |
Customary security tools consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection
- Bicycle owner detection
- Rear AEB
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keep help
- Lane departure warning
- Driver consideration alert
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
- Tyre strain monitoring
G20 and G25 Touring provides:
Touring LE and G20 and G25 Astina provides:
- Entrance cross-traffic alert
- Cruising & Site visitors Assist
- Driver monitoring system
- Encompass-view monitor
To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Mazda CX-30 price to run?
The Mazda CX-30 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years or 105,000km |
| Complete capped-price service price | $3213 |
| Common capped-price service | $535.50 |
Choosing all-wheel drive doesn’t deliver with it a premium when servicing your CX-30.
To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Take
Until you intend on going to the snow, there are higher choices inside the CX-30 lineup.
You might save $2000 and go for a front-wheel drive GT SP, or spend the identical amount of cash because the all-wheel drive mannequin and get a completely loaded front-wheel drive Astina.
There are additionally fascinating choices outdoors of a Mazda showroom.
A Volkswagen T-Roc is extra fulfilling to drive, a Kia Seltos is extra sensible, and a Toyota C-HR extra environment friendly.
The CX-30 delights with the upscale appear and feel of its inside, in addition to its usually subtle infotainment and driver help expertise.
However the driving expertise leaves a bit to be desired, with its pleasing dealing with and customarily quiet cabin let down by a agency experience and clunky powertrain.
The CX-30’s sporty chassis wants a greater powertrain to again it up. It’s a pity we don’t get the turbocharged model right here, as that would actually elevate this SUV. Within the meantime, there are rival SUVs that do the zoom-zoom factor higher.
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