The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Looks great
- Standard AWD
- Many trim levels
- Good handling
Dislikes
- Argumentative infotainment
- Weird trim-level walk
- Top versions are very expensive
- Turbo runs best on premium
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 may not be the most practical small SUV, but it’s one of the most stylish and fun.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Mazda CX-30? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 is a subcompact crossover SUV with some sporty character. Compare it to everything from the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos to the Volvo XC40.
Is the 2025 Mazda CX-30 a good SUV?
While it’s not our top-rated small SUV, the CX-30 has polished handling and pleasant styling. Its clunky infotainment system is a sore spot, though. We rate the 2025 CX-30 at 6.2 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Mazda CX-30?
The 2025 CX-30 is newly available with Amazon Alexa compatibility and over-the-air navigation.
With its hatchback-like styling, the CX-30 is a pleasant-looking vehicle that appears more like a tall version of the automaker’s Mazda 3 than it does a real crossover. Then again, that’s pretty much what it is, though it’s not quite as obvious as the Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek siblings. Inside, the CX-30 has its own cabin with a look that borders on too spartan, though materials impress.
The CX-30 comes with a 2.5-liter inline-4 rated at a hearty 191 hp, which sends its power to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. Though not the smoothest 4-cylinder on the market, this setup provides good scoot in most driving situations. In fact, we’re hard-pressed to recommend the turbo, especially since it needs premium fuel to emit its full 250-hp potential, and it’s bolted into high-end CX-30s that cost as much as rivals’ compact models.
Any CX-30 boasts deft handling and great steering feel, with limited body lean in corners and a firm ride that’s just the right side of too stiff even with the available 18-inch alloy wheels.
EPA testing pegs the non-turbo CX-30 at 29 mpg combined, while the turbo checks in at 25 mpg combined. Those are decent but not amazing numbers for the segment.
While not particularly spacious, the CX-30 has comfy front seats and an attractive look inside. You’ll also find a wide range of upholstery options since nearly every trim level has its own look. The 20.2 cubic-foot cargo area is small for the segment, however.
Mazda fits an impressive amount of crash-avoidance tech to the CX-30, including automatic emergency braking, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. This small SUV also scored five out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests and it earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, both in 2024 as 2025 results aren't yet available.
How much does the 2025 Mazda CX-30 cost?
The CX-30 starts at $26,415 in base S trim, while the least-costly turbocharged version is about $8,000 more. The CX-30 comes with an impressive array of crash-avoidance tech plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an 8.8-inch screen controlled by a center console knob.
Where is the 2025 Mazda CX-30 made?
In Japan.
2025 Mazda CX-30 Styling
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 wears designer-grade lines.
Is the Mazda CX-30 a good-looking car?
For a small SUV, the 2025 CX-30 is quite interesting outside if a little too simplistic inside. It’s a 6 here.
The CX-30 looks more like the automaker’s Mazda 3 hatchback than it does a small SUV, at least until you factor in its big unpainted fender flares. The big shield-type grille up front is anchored by a wide swath of chrome-covered plastic, which leads into the avian headlights. Mazda fits dark wheels to most versions, which look a little lost beneath those chunky fender flares.
Inside, the CX-30 has nice materials but its design is a bit dull, especially if you’re in the passenger’s seat. The three-spoke steering wheel is terrific, and it fronts an array of easy-to-see gauges. Then there’s a wide expanse of unadorned trim, punctuated only by small air vents. Mazda’s a bit stingy about interior hues, too; you have to spend up to get something more interesting like red or an orange-brown. Unlike the brand’s bigger models, there’s no high-end Signature version here. While we imagine the market for a dressy subcompact crossover is small, such niceties as softer leather and real wood trim would better justify the nearly $40,000 pricetag for a top-end version.
2025 Mazda CX-30 Performance
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 dazzles with its impressive handling.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 has sporty moves on the road, which earn it a point above average for a 6 on the TCC scale. Turbo models are fairly peppy; they’d probably net a 7 if rated separately.
Is the Mazda CX-30 4WD?
Yes, all-wheel drive is standard, though these low crossovers are not meant for much off-road use beyond a dirt road.
How fast is the Mazda CX-30?
The base 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 has more power than we typically see in this segment, so the CX-30 is off to a good start here. It’s fairly peppy, if a bit gruff, and it mates quite well with the 6-speed automatic transmission. Sure, some competitors have more (or infinite) gears, but the 6-speed gets the job done quite well. You don’t necessarily need more gears.
We’ve had a lot more wheel time in CX-30s with the available 2.5-liter turbo-4, which pushes 250 hp to the wheels on premium fuel. (It can be run on regular unleaded to the tune of 227 hp, but that doesn’t seem like enough of a performance advantage to us.) It’s quick, with almost hot hatch-like moves on the road. This engine works better here than it does in the CX-30’s larger siblings.
The CX-30 benefits from sharply tuned steering that responds quickly to inputs and has just the right amount of heft. This is a precise crossover that almost makes us forget that it’s basically a high-riding version of the Mazda 3.
The firm ride can be a little choppy, especially with the available 18-inch wheels. It’s not too stiff for daily commuting, though, and we’re thankful that Mazda didn’t see fit to go with 19-inchers or larger here.
2025 Mazda CX-30 Comfort & Quality
Many rivals better prioritize interior volume better than the 2025 CX-30.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 is all about style, not practicality. It’s a 6 here thanks a cargo area that inevitably offers more space than what you’ll find in a sedan with a similar footprint.
Front-seat riders will find reasonably supportive seats with a fair amount of bolstering, though you’ll have to step beyond the first couple of trim levels to get heated seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The rear seat is accessed via small door openings. It’s not very spacious once you’ve wedged your way in, either.
Behind the rear seats, the CX-30 can hold just 20.2 cubic feet of cargo, or a few rollaboard-type suitcases. That space grows to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded down. Most rivals offer at least a few more cubic feet.
Mazda offers cloth, synthetic leather, real leather, or a combination of synthetic leather and suede, depending on the trim. There’s not much interior color flexibility between trims, though overall Mazda offers a handful of options here including red leather or brown synthetic leather with black synthetic suede accents. Unfortunately, there’s way too much shiny plastic inside, even though most other materials impress for the price point.
2025 Mazda CX-30 Safety
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 has a great crash-test record.
How safe is the Mazda CX-30?
It should be a very safe choice, assuming last year’s test results carry over. In 2024, the CX-30 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and an impressive Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS. Add in its standard crash-avoidance tech and the CX-30 is a solid 8 here.
It comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and 10 airbags. If there’s anything that’s a shame here, it’s the fact that a surround-view camera system is only included at the top of the lineup. Rearward vision is just OK, too.
2025 Mazda CX-30 Features
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 can get quite pricey, but no version has a great infotainment system.
The base 2025 CX-30 S starts at $26,415, which isn’t a bad buy. It’s outfitted with standard all-wheel drive, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, an 8.8-inch screen controlled by a center console-mounted knob, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and 16-inch alloy wheels. It’s one of a slew of CX-30 trims.
Overall, the range scores a 6 here. Its big screen and varied lineup are canceled out by an infotainment system with too many menus and a frustrating control knob. Granted, turbocharged CX-30s have a larger touchscreen only for CarPlay and Android Auto, but its menu system is no better.
The CX-30 is covered by a basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty
Which Mazda CX-30 should I buy?
We’d step up to the 2.5 S Preferred, which has synthetic leather seats that are heated up front, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a sunroof, keyless entry, and Alexa, plus myriad small niceties like dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat armrest, and tinted rear windows. It’s $30,360.
Another $1,000 buys the Carbon Edition, which has red leather seats and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
How much is a fully loaded Mazda CX-30?
The CX-30 Carbon Turbo is the least expensive boosted model. It’s outfitted like the non-turbo Carbon Edition, except with dark brown synthetic leather and black synthetic suede upholstery, plus it comes with a 10.3-inch touchscreen It’s a hefty $34,360. At the top of the range, the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus has leather seats, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and a few other fancy bits for $38,730.
2025 Mazda CX-30 Fuel Economy
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 has reasonable fuel economy.
Is the Mazda CX-30 good on gas?
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 can be fairly frugal in non-turbo form. Based on last year’s EPA test estimates, we score it a 3 out of 10. We’ll update this space if its figures change for 2025, but last year’s version was estimated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, 29 combined. Turbo models need premium fuel for their best performance, and they’re rated at a non-stellar 22/30/25 mpg. Unlike some competitors, there’s no hybrid version of the CX-30.
