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Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2022 Mazda CX-30: An Exceptional Small Crossover
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is an excellent entry in the small crossover segment. We look at powertrain, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
2022 Mazda CX-30 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2022 Mazda CX-30 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2022 Mazda CX-30?
Now that the CX-3 is officially gone, Mazda has updated the 2022 CX-30 with a few minor tweaks to the lineup but there are some big changes too. First, an all-new Carbon Edition trim has been added with darker paint and badging. In addition, every CX-30 now comes with AWD as standard equipment.
The Breakdown
Excellent handling
Near-luxury interior
Full of technology
Bland base powertrain
Blind spots
Below-average fuel economy
It could use a hybrid option
2022 CX-30 Specs
- 186 horsepower from base engine
- 86 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 20.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 45.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Standard 8.8-inch screen
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- 3 years of roadside assistance
2022 Mazda CX-30 Powertrain
The CX-30 lineup is split straight down the middle with four of its trims using a base four-cylinder engine that develops 186 horsepower and the same pound-feet of torque. It’s a bland but serviceable engine with decent enough power that it feels competitive in this class.
The top four trims each use a turbocharged version of the same engine and it’s factory-rated at 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque if you fill the gas tank with 93 octane. Go with something less and the engine will detect it and lower power to 227 ponies and 310 pound-feet in an effort to protect the engine. It’s by far the enthusiast’s choice and makes this small crossover feel downright fast.
The real story is that regardless of which engine you pick from, each one benefits from the CX-30s outstanding handling and ride sophistication. Chuck the car into a corner and it responds with agile poise and predictable steering feedback. The suspension isn’t just sporty either. When buyers want a calm and peaceful ride the CX-30 delivers there too. The six-speed automatic isn’t as fancy as newer transmissions but Mazda says that with fewer gears you’re more likely to be in the right gear at the right time. We found that to be mostly true too. It’s an incredibly balanced car.
2022 Mazda CX-30 Fuel Economy & MPG
The base engine nets the CX-30 EPA-estimated fuel ratings of 24 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. The turbocharged version drops down to 22 and 30 respectively. That’s not much of a penalty for the extra power but neither version is particularly competitive in the market. Still, we think it’s worth the ability to actually enjoy the drive which is something you can’t do in most of the competition. Mazda might benefit from offering a hybrid version in the future.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Every trim level of the Mazda CX-30 offers an impressive interior experience. It gains just a little bit of space on its shorter Mazda3 sibling but maintains the same exceptional dashboard layout and seating comfort. We do wish that the seats were a bit better contoured from the midpoint up as they don’t offer much support for shoulders and heads.
The rear seats are cozy but big enough for two adults or three kids. Cargo space isn’t bad either with more than 20 cubic feet behind the second row and more if you lower those rear seats. For the driver, blind spots can be a problem as the rear three-quarter view is somewhat non-existent due to the shape of the CX-30. Still, with decent mirror positioning, we found no need to even look back that way.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway that we found inside of the CX-30 is that the quality of the materials within is second to none in this field. At the lower trims, it’s better than other crossovers that are similarly priced and at the top it’s pushing luxury brands like Audi and Acura.
Entertainment & Technology
The infotainment screen is exclusively controlled through a rotary dial and buttons in the center console and it’s a lot easier to understand than one might think. While you can’t navigate the screen through touches, the four main buttons for the system are easy to remember and to use in practice. The rotary dial is accurate in practice as well.
Those who want more from the already good user interface can connect via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Mazda also includes vehicle monitoring through the MyMazda application. With it, owners can lock or unlock the vehicle, start it remotely, and more. Buyers can also add SiriusXM satellite radio.
Safety Features
As it does in most categories, the CX-30 excels with regard to safety as well. Not only did it receive a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but it also is a Top Safety Pick+, the highest honor available, according to the IIHS. In addition, every single CX-30 regardless of trim comes with advanced driver assistance systems that can add safety. They include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision mitigation, drowsy driver alert, and automatic high beams.
2022 Mazda CX-30 Trims & Pricing
Base – $23,725
The base CX-30 gets 16-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch driver information display, cloth interior, LED headlights, an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, and eight speakers.
Select – $26,125
The Select trim adds roof rails, tinted windows, 18-inch wheels, leatherette seating upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and blind-spot monitoring.
Preferred – $29,175
This trim adds a sunroof, heated front seats, a gloss black grille, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Carbon Edition – $29,175
This new trim features a special gray exterior paint with a red leather interior along with black 18-inch wheels and black mirrors.
Turbo – $31,725
The first turbocharged trim of the CX-30 is equipped identically to the Preferred trim but also adds roof rails, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a two-tone interior.
Premium – $32,025
The top of the line non-turbo CX-30 gets leather upholstery, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, 18-inch wheels, LED signature lighting, a power tailgate, adaptive headlights, integrated navigation, a heads-up display, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Turbo Premium – $34,325
Somewhat obviously, this trim combines the turbocharged engine with the Premium trim package.
Turbo Premium Plus – $35,925
This top-of-the-line trim adds enhanced adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Warranties
The only part of the CX-30 that’s average is its warranty package. It offers a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty in harmony with a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s about the base warranty duo in the industry with rivals like Kia and Hyundai offering more.
What We Think
2022 Mazda CX-30 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2022 Mazda CX-30 on Carsforsale.com
Most cars in this class seem to be built to just get by. The CX-30 is far on the other end of the spectrum and seems to be worth quite a lot more than its asking price would suggest. It comes standard with AWD, a bevy of safety technologies, and a driving experience that puts other crossovers to shame. From the way it drives to its exceptional technology package to its outstanding interior, we can’t think of another small crossover that we’d recommend over it.
