Mazda CX-30 Review 2024

The small SUV market is crowded and very competitive, but the Mazda CX-30 still manages to stand out. Filling a gap beneath the larger CX-5, it offers an intriguing and leftfield alternative to vehicles such as the Volkswagen T-Roc and Toyota C-HR – and benefits from an interior to rival premium-badged crossovers.

Mazda likes to do things in its own way, and the Mazda CX-30 is a unique take on the crossover SUV formula. Slotted between the smaller Mazda CX-3 and larger Mazda CX-5, it resembles a high-riding version of the Mazda 3 hatchback. Mazda had its reasons for not calling this car the Mazda CX-4, but nomenclature does not really matter here.

Although closer in size to the roomy Mazda CX-5, Mazda made the CX-30 look far more rakish. A sloping roofline, large front grille and neat exterior detailing make for a genuinely handsome family car.

Mazda has a tradition of doing things its own way, and that applies to the engines powering the Mazda CX-30. Forget any thoughts of plug-in hybrids, diesels or even turbochargers. Instead, the Mazda CX-30 is offered with a pair of 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, both of which are naturally aspirated. The duo need to be worked hard to extract maximum performance; even the most powerful 186PS e-Skyactiv X version can feel lacklustre at low revs.

Helping the driving experience is a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, which is fitted as standard. There is an automatic gearbox available, too. Most Mazda CX-30s will come with front-wheel drive, but there is the option of all-wheel drive for those who require extra all-weather traction.

Having to work the Mazda CX-30’s engines contributes to a sporty feel, which includes sharp and accurate steering. Compared with rival SUVs such as the Toyota C-HR, the Mazda is far more engaging on the road. Taut body control means the Mazda CX-30 feels closer to the Mazda 3 hatchback it is based upon, rather than rival crossovers.

Where the Mazda CX-30 truly stands out from alternatives such as the Kia Xceed, Toyota C-HR and Volkswagen T-Roc is the quality of its interior. Everything inside feels genuinely premium, and puts the Mazda on par with upmarket SUVs like the Audi Q2 and Volvo XC40. Soft-touch materials swathe almost every surface, and all the switchgear gives an impression of lasting quality.

Pleasingly, there are traditional buttons and knobs for the climate control air-con system. Mazda has avoided the temptation to use a touchscreen for every interior function, although there is still an 8.8-inch multimedia display screen on all models.

A comprehensive model range starts with the relatively affordable SE-L and stretches all the way to GT Sport Tech. All versions come with LED headlights, rear parking sensors and satellite navigation. As a result, even the cheapest Mazda CX-30 won’t leave buyers feeling short-changed – while higher specifications do feel truly luxurious. 

As classy as the cabin may be, this isn’t the most accommodating crossover SUV on sale. Front-seat passengers get a good deal, but those in the rear may feel a little cramped. Luggage space in the boot is competitive, and larger than the Mazda 3 hatchback.

This is an attractive and quite luxurious crossover SUV that is more enjoyable to drive than most. The high-revving engines will be off-putting for some people, but the overall Mazda CX-30 package is a compelling one.

Being based upon the Mazda 3 hatchback gives the Mazda CX-30 a solid foundation for a sporty driving experience. Don’t expect the crossover equivalent of the MX-5 roadster, but it feels engaging to drive for an SUV. You might even take the cross-country route home for fun.

The steering is wonderfully precise, with minimal body-roll thanks to a taut suspension setup. It makes the Mazda CX-30 firmer on rough roads than other crossovers, but even on larger 18-inch wheels it remains compliant.

For those who need extra traction in slippery conditions, there’s the all-wheel-drive version of the Mazda CX-30. When the temperature really drops, the added effect of power being sent to the rear wheels is noticeable. Most buyers will be fine with the regular two-wheel-drive model, however.

If you have become used to driving cars with turbocharged engines, the Mazda CX-30 is likely to surprise on the road. Mazda prefers making efficient naturally aspirated petrol engines, using technology such as spark-controlled compression ignition to maximise fuel economy. Unlike the vehicles offered by other manufacturers, there are no plug-in hybrid or diesel engines to pick from.

This results in a pair of engines that need to be revved considerably more than turbocharged equivalents, with drivers having to work the gears to maximise performance. Given how enjoyable the Mazda CX-30 is to drive, this is not necessarily a hardship. However, it requires more commitment to avoid the Mazda appearing lethargic on the road.

Although the entry-level e-Skyactiv G may be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, this size doesn’t translate into huge performance. An output of 122PS means acceleration is mild, not wild, with 0-62mph taking 10.6 seconds using the six-speed manual gearbox. Choosing the automatic transmission increases this to 11.2 seconds.

Moving up to the e-Skyactiv X also means the Mazda CX-30 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, but this time with a substantial 186PS. The extra power does have a noticeable impact on the official performance figures, cutting the 0-62mph time to 8.3 seconds with the manual-equipped 2WD version. Again, the automatic Mazda CX-30 is slower, with a time of 8.6 seconds.

While the all-wheel-drive Mazda CX-30 does provide extra traction, this does not translate into a quicker 0-62mph time. It takes 8.8 seconds with the manual gearbox, or 9.0 seconds with the automatic.

The Mazda CX-30 is a very safe car, demonstrated by it being awarded top marks in Euro NCAP crash tests. To gain a five-star rating, the Mazda CX-30 achieved an impressive 99 percent score for adult occupant protection, along with a 86 percent for child safety.

The Mazda CX-30 comes with a suite of standard safety features, including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, and intelligent speed assist. The top-spec GT Sport Tech brings even more equipment, adding front cross-traffic alert and smart brake support. The latter helps to prevent collisions when reversing out of parking spaces.

Mazda does offer a detachable tow bar as an accessory for the Mazda CX-30, but hauling trailers won’t be a top priority for most buyers. All versions, including the all-wheel-drive Skyactiv-X versions, have a braked trailer towing capacity of 1,300kg. For those who need to tow a caravan, the larger Mazda CX-5 may be a better option.

Compared to traditional upright small SUVs like the Skoda Karoq, the Mazda CX-30 is a little more style-over-substance when it comes to practicality.

Measuring some 4.4 metres in length, the Mazda CX-30 is close to the size of Mazda’s own CX-5 SUV. However, the Mazda CX-30 is more car-like and sits much closer to the ground, being some 140mm lower overall.

The Mazda CX-30 also boasts a curvier roofline, although this eats into headroom for tall rear-seat passengers. Legroom in the back can feel tight for adults, and the high windowline adds to the snug feeling.

Those in the front get a much better deal, thanks to comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment. The cabin feels wide, with plenty of headroom for both the driver and front-seat passenger.

Boot space with the rear seats is 430 litres. This is more than found in the related Mazda 3 hatchback, and also better than the rival Toyota C-HR. However, a Skoda Karoq boasts up to 588 litres.

Folding the rear seats flat in the Mazda CX-30 – via the standard 60:40 split bench – results in up to 1,640 litres of luggage capacity.

Where the Mazda CX-30 really impresses is with the quality of its cabin. For the price Mazda charges, the premium feel inside is remarkable, and more than good enough to rival equivalent cars from Audi and BMW.

Everything feels like it is constructed from high-quality components, with soft-touch materials complemented by metal detailing. All the switches and buttons feel expensive, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel is fitted to all models. Top-spec GT Sport and GT Sport Tech versions gain plush leather seats, but even the cloth trim on lower grades looks classy.

If you are tired of the current obsession with touchscreens, let the Mazda CX-30 be the balm to soothe your soul. Sticking to its tradition of doing things differently, Mazda has resolutely ignored the trend and fits the Mazda CX-30 with its ‘Multimedia Commander’ controller.

This works similarly to BMW’s old iDrive system, using a rotary dial to access menus and scroll through settings. It is intuitive, and operates the 8.8-inch multimedia screen rapidly. Positioned high, in the driver’s line of sight, it also avoids looking like a tablet device plonked on top of the dashboard.

Mazda gives the Mazda CX-30 a strong specification, including satellite navigation for all trim levels. DAB radio, USB ports and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity are all standard equipment, too. In common with other Mazda models, a colour head-up display is projected onto the windscreen.

An eight-speaker audio system is found on lower-grade models, with a 12-speaker Bose setup on top versions. The latter includes a subwoofer mounted in the boot, although this does reduce luggage space to 422 litres.

At the time of writing, prices for the Mazda CX-30 start at less than £25,000 for the entry-level SE-L model. This makes it notably cheaper than the base Toyota C-HR, and it also undercuts the Volkswagen T-Roc. In fact, the CX-30 only commands around £2,000 more than the equivalent Mazda 3 hatchback.

Moving up the model lineup sees the cost of the Mazda CX-30 increase quite considerably. Opting for the range-topping GT Sport Tech, with an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, means spending more than £36,000. This places it within range of premium products such as the Volvo XC40. 

Normal logic usually dictates that choosing a more powerful engine results in higher fuel consumption. In a typical Mazda fashion, the pair of Skyactiv engines fitted to the Mazda CX-30 manage to buck this trend. All come fitted with mild-hybrid technology, which uses a small 24-volt battery.

The less-powerful e-Skyactiv G engine uses cylinder deactivation, switching between two- and four-cylinder operation to save fuel when possible. With the standard manual gearbox, this engine achieves an official combined fuel economy figure of 47.9mpg. Going for the automatic transmission sees this drop to a combined peak of 44.8mpg.

According to Mazda, the petrol 186PS e-Skyactiv X engine is designed to deliver the fuel economy and CO2 emissions normally associated with a diesel engine. It certainly does what Mazda promises in the official WLTP test, achieving a combined figure of up to 50.4mpg with a manual gearbox. Add all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, however, and fuel economy falls to 42.8mpg.

When it comes to VED (road tax), the e-Skyactiv X will also be the cheapest. In two-wheel drive form with a manual gearbox, this Mazda CX-30 emits less than 130g/km of CO2, which translates into a first-year VED rate of £190, followed by an annual rate of £165. All other versions will cost £230 in the first year.

All Mazda CX-30s come with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, and Mazda scores well in the Honest John Satisfaction Index for reliability. Dealers can offer fixed-price servicing to help manage costs, too.

The Mazda CX-30 range begins with SE-L trim, but this is certainly not a stripped-back basic model. A set of 16-inch alloy wheels is standard, along with LED headlights and a front grille with Mazda’s ‘Signature wing’ finished in chrome. On the inside, the SE-L comes equipped with seats clad in dark grey cloth, with black interior accents used throughout. Satellite navigation is standard for the 8.8-inch multimedia screen, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Rear parking sensors, radar-operated cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring are all fitted, too.

Moving up to SE-L Lux sees the Mazda CX-30 gaining extra equipment inside and out. The exterior upgrades include front and rear parking sensors, combined with a rear-view camera, plus an automatically dimming driver’s side mirror. On the inside, the rear-view mirror also dims automatically, with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry fitted. Cars fitted with the six-speed automatic gearbox get a drive-mode selection switch, incorporating a Sport mode option. The radar cruise control is also able to offer a stop-and-go function when combined with the automatic transmission.

Next on the Mazda CX-30 is Sport Lux trim, which stands out with its 18-inch alloy wheels. These are silver on e-Skyactiv G models, and gain a bright finish on more powerful e-Skyactiv X versions. The B- and C-pillars have a piano black look on the outside, with the front grille gaining the same treatment. LED daytime running lights are another upgrade, while the tailgate benefits from power operation. Rear privacy glass is fitted, and the interior rear-view mirror gains a neat frameless design. Cars with an automatic gearbox come with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

Opting for the Mazda CX-30 GT Sport brings an extra level of luxury, thanks to black leather seats combined with Rich Brown interior accents. The driver’s seat can be adjusted electrically, with a memory function included for the driver’s door mirror. The latter also tilts down automatically when reversing. A heated steering wheel is a further upgrade, with the 12-speaker Bose sound system incorporating a boot-mounted subwoofer.

At the top of the Mazda CX-30 model range is the GT Sport Tech. A 360-degree surround-view camera is the big addition here, offering a useful bird’s eye view when parking. Rear smart braking support, front cross-traffic alert and driver alertness monitoring are part of an enhanced safety package.