2021 Mazda CX-30 Review

　　

2021 Mazda CX-30 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　If you're drawn to small SUVs for their convenience and versatility but find their size or price to be a little too excessive, the extra-small SUV class may be a perfect fit. At the top of that class is the 2021 Mazda CX-30. It squeezes between the smaller CX-3 and larger CX-5 in Mazda's SUV lineup. (Why the company's marketers just didn't call it the CX-4, we'll never know.)

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$133/mo  for CX-30 2.5 S

　　CX-30 2.5 S

　　2.5 S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $22,050 MSRP2.5 S 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $23,450 MSRPSelect 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $24,050 MSRPSelect 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,450 MSRPPreferred 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $26,450 MSRPPreferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $27,850 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $28,700 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $30,100 MSRP2.5 Turbo 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $30,050 MSRPTurbo Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $32,450 MSRPTurbo Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $34,050 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　The CX-30 satisfies all of the usual requirements of comfort, safety and technology, and it pulls ahead with its sharp style, interior refinement and spunky performance. Further driving home the CX-30's penchant for behind-the-wheel fun is the newly available turbocharged engine. With up to 250 horsepower on tap, the CX-30 2.5 Turbo is one of the quickest models in its class.

　　With this kind of broad appeal, it's no surprise we rank the CX-30 higher than other tiny SUVs that include the Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating for more in-depth evaluation on this year's CX-30.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We were so impressed by the Mazda CX-30 when it debuted in 2020 that we added one to our long-term test program. That means we're driving and testing it over the course of a full year and reporting on everything from performance to reliability. Check out our coverage to learn more about what it's like owning a CX-30.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the CX-30 drive? The CX-30 is easy and engaging to drive. The base engine provides better-than-average power for this class. Our test CX-30 needed 9 seconds to reach 60 mph, where rivals take more than 10 seconds. Of course, you can always go with the turbocharged engine if you have the need for speed. The 0-60 mph time is just 6.4 seconds, making the CX-30 Turbo the quickest car in its class. (It even beats a Volkswagen Golf GTI.) The steering is sharp and gives you a good feel for the road. It complements the CX-30's excellent handling as it hugs corners and feels composed and at home on twisty roads.

　　The transmission, left in its default mode, likes to upshift early to help maximize fuel economy. The transmission takes a beat to kick down if you're trying to pass at freeway speeds. Using the Sport mode helps liven up the CX-30's character.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the CX-30? For a sporty SUV, the CX-30 is really quite comfortable. The front seats are supportive and comfortable enough for long drives. The rear seats are nicely padded and offer a good seating position that's not too upright. The suspension has a sporty tautness to it, but it's still adept at absorbing bumps and impacts.

　　Freeway cruising is especially nice. The CX-30 has one of the quieter cabins in the class, which lends it an upscale feel. The dual-zone climate control is a little weak for those who like it really cold, but the rear vents ensure rear passengers get their share. The heated seats take time to warm up but are nicely toasty once they are.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The CX-30's interior is simple but classy. The controls are easy to see and understand. The infotainment system is laid out well, and navigating with the rotary knob is mostly easy. The exceptions are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which would undoubtedly be more convenient to operate if the CX-30 had a touchscreen.

　　For an extra-small SUV, the CX-30's cabin is pretty roomy. In front, individuals 6 feet tall and under should have ample space in all directions. Though the CX-30 will accommodate five total, rear-seat comfort is really optimized for two more average-size adults.

　　The CX-30's swoopier shape involves some trade-offs. It isn't as easy to climb in and out of compared to its boxier rivals, and rear visibility is a bit compromised by a thick rear pillar and relatively small window.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The CX-30 comes standard with a good amount of tech. The advanced safety and driver aids are among the best in class in the way they operate. You even get a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, though you'll have to pay for service after the trial ends. Our test CX-30 had two USBs and two 12-volt power ports up front.

　　The upgraded Bose audio system delivers a nice, clear sound with good bass. The navigation system is easy to use, and the 8.8-inch infotainment display is a really bright and sharp screen. Using the rotary dial is easy enough but having a touchscreen would be welcome. In previous Mazdas, the display granted touchscreen capability if you were stopped, but that's no longer the case for this latest infotainment system that's in the CX-30.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The CX-30 is middling in terms of storage compared to the class leaders. Cargo room behind the rear seats is decent, but the depth of the space from the hatch to the back of the rear seats seems shallow. A wide and tall hatch opening provides good access for loading. But because the rear seatbacks don't lie flush with the cargo floor when folded, it won't be as easy as it could be to slide in long, heavy items.

　　Storage for small items is a bit better. The sizable cubby in front of the gearshift, center armrest bin and glove compartment are mostly usable. The door pockets and cupholders are small but that's because it's a small vehicle. If you have young kids, installation access for car seats is great, but actual space for a larger rear-facing seat will be tight.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The CX-30 gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in combined driving with front-wheel drive or 26 mpg with all-wheel drive. These figures are slightly below average for the class. Getting the turbocharged engine, which comes standard with AWD, drops you down just a bit to 25 mpg.

　　Our base-engine test CX-30, with AWD, got 26 mpg overall during our evaluation, so the EPA's figures seem achievable in real-world driving.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the CX-30 a good value? The CX-30's price starts off on the higher side, but it offers an abundance of standard tech and safety features that have it competing against many of the competition's midline trims. Select the turbocharged engine, however, and the price becomes hard to justify. A Mazda CX-5 with the same engine costs just a little bit more.

　　The interior is roomy, and build quality is excellent with the interior adorned with soft-touch surfaces, leather and nicely placed chrome trim. The piano-black door handles creak a little at times and can leave smudges, but no one's going to notice there. Warranty and ownership costs are standard for the class.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　The Mazda CX-30 is sophisticated, athletic and attractive inside and out. Just like the smaller Mazda CX-3, it handles curvy roads with precision and instills confidence as you continue to drive it, but it has the benefit of more interior space and comfort. All in all, it's a well-rounded vehicle.

　　

Which CX-30 does zzdcar recommend?

The Select trim gets our recommendation. It adds some desirable features, such as simulated leather upholstery and a blind-spot monitoring system, and keeps the cost reasonable. If you're drawn to Mazda's reputation for making fun-to-drive vehicles and you have deeper pockets, we heartily suggest giving one of the new Turbo models a spin too.

　　

2021 Mazda CX-30 models

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is an extra-small SUV with seating for five. It's available in 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, 2.5 Turbo Premium and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim levels. Feature highlights include:

　　2.5 S

　　The CX-30 in base 2.5 S comes respectably equipped with:

　　2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 horsepower, 186 lb-ft of torque) Six-speed automatic transmission Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive 16-inch alloy wheels LED headlights 8.8-inch infotainment display Remote vehicle monitoring and control Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Eight-speaker audio systemEvery CX-30 also comes with:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Drowsy driver monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Automatic high beamsSelect

　　For a modest price increase, the Select trim adds some comfort and convenience with features such as:

　　18-inch wheels Keyless entry Dual-zone automatic climate control Simulated leather upholstery Center armrest for rear passengers Tinted rear windows Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)Preferred

　　The Preferred trim gives you a taste of the more luxurious Premium trim without breaking the bank. It has the Select's features plus:

　　Sunroof Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory functions Heated front seatsPremium

　　The Premium trim is the nicest CX-30 you can get with the standard engine. It has the Preferred trim's features as well as:

　　Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Power liftgate Roof rails Paddle shifters Leather upholstery Navigation system 12-speaker Bose premium audio system Satellite radio Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Traffic sign reader2.5 Turbo

　　It comes equipped with the features of the Preferred trim plus:

　　Turbocharged 2.5-liter engine (227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with 93 octane fuel) Standard all-wheel drive Roof rails Auto-dimming rearview mirror2.5 Turbo Premium

　　This trim bundles the turbocharged powertrain with the features of the Premium trim.

　　2.5 Turbo Premium Plus

　　The Premium Plus trim is only offered with the turbocharged engine and tops off the features list with:

　　Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Rear cross-traffic with automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Traffic Jam Assist (enhanced adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist at speeds under 40 mph)

　　

2021 CX-30 Highlights

Trim: 2.5 SSelectPreferredPremium2.5 TurboTurbo PremiumTurbo Premium Plus2.5 S

　　

Base MSRP	$22,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$133/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	20.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles