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The Mazda CX-30 is a segment leader for premium interior comfort and polish. We look at powertrain, safety, and more in our review.
2024 Mazda CX-30 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2024 Mazda CX-30 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2024 Mazda CX-30?
Mazda kicks off the 2024 model year with several changes for the CX-30. To start, a new 10.3-inch infotainment system is available for the turbocharged models. In addition, The Select trim from last year’s model is gone, and in its place is the Select Sport trim with a darker color pallet including 18-inch wheels. Finally, a Carbon Turbo trim also joins the lineup with black wheels, a Terracotta-colored leather interior, and Zircon Sand exterior paint.
Carsforsale.com Score
9/10
Powertrain
Score
9.25/10
Interior
Score
9/10
Technology
Score
9.25/10
Value
Score
8.75/10
The Breakdown
Excellent interior
Great driving dynamics
Top-notch safety features
Pricey top trims
Love it or hate it infotainment
Very basic warranty
A specialized city driver
2024 Mazda CX-30 Specs
- 191 horsepower from base engine
- 186 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 folded
- New available 10.3-inch screen
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- Basic 3-year warranty
2024 Mazda CX-30 Powertrain 9.25/10
Mazda offers the CX-30 with two distinct powertrains that both use a six-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive to transmit power to the road. The first engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. That’s far more than most of the base-trimmed rivals in this segment. At the same time, this engine also is far from the most fuel-efficient in the segment. It gets 26 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway according to the EPA.
Above it is a turbocharged version of the same engine. It makes 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. That, again, is more than most rivals in the segment. Fuel economy drops to 22 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. Despite that, the CX-30 pays the driver back with outstanding driving dynamics.
Both the turbo and non-turbo versions feel light, eager to follow directions from the driver, and communicative about what’s happening on the road surface. Neither is meant to win races from stoplight to stoplight but it’s a nice change of pace to drive a CUV that doesn’t feel like an appliance and instead engages the driver.
Other reviews both praise the taut handling of the CX-30 while complaining about its stiffer-than-average ride. We won’t do that. The CX-30 stands out in the class because of its excellent handling and Mazda deserves kudos for offering one of the best subcompact SUVs on the market. Sure, those who don’t like a stiffer-than-average ride likely won’t enjoy it as much, but this segment is full of marshmallows. The CX-30 is a breath of fresh air.
2024 Mazda CX-30 Interior 9/10
Mazda manages to make its interior spaces feel far more expensive than they are, and the CX-30 continues this tradition. The dash and door cards feature simple and elegant designs, the seats look very luxurious, and the panel fitment is excellent throughout the cabin.
The infotainment system sits atop the dash with physical controls for the climate system beneath it on the dash itself. The CX-30 benefits from a low dash too as it improves forward visibility. Rear-ward visibility is somewhat lacking though so we suggest a wide-angle side-mirror approach to eliminate blind spots and to turn your head to look back. Interior space is quite good and a step up from the Mazda3 in terms of passenger comfort.
The rear seat is best when moving two people as opposed to three, but it’ll do fine in a pinch. Cargo space is fine but not a segment leader. Behind the rear seats, you’ll find 20.2 cubic feet of storage which expands to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Mazda might want to think about adding more clever storage spaces to the next-generation CX-30.
2024 Mazda CX-30 Technology 9.25/10
Mazda continues to defend a non-touchscreen infotainment system in its pursuit of safety. It believes using a physical set of controls is safer and therefore, neither the 8.8-inch infotainment system nor the newly available larger 10.3-inch version offers touchscreen capability… mostly. When paired with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, the larger screen becomes touch-sensitive.
In practice, Mazda’s system works great, and we see the appeal. A rotary knob is surrounded by four main navigation buttons, and they all work well. It does seem to make navigating the system easier and with less distraction than a touch-only interface. Still, some won’t love being boxed into just one way of navigating.
It seems that Mazda might simply open up touch compatibility and give buyers the choice the same way that a brand like BMW does. Then it’ll be up to each user to determine what works for them. That said, what isn’t in question is how much Mazda emphasizes customer safety when it comes to safety tech.
Every CX-30 comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. On top of that, the CX-30 scored five stars in NHTSA crash testing and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner.
2024 Mazda CX-30 Trims & Pricing
Base – $26,370
This trim comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, an 8.8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple Carplay, six speakers, and automatic high beams.
Select Sport – $27,875
The new Select Sport trim gets black 18-inch wheels, roof rails, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, keyless entry, faux leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat center armrest, rear climate vents, and tinted rear windows.
Preferred – $30,165
This trim adds silver wheels, a sunroof, a gloss-black grille, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions.
2.5 S Carbon Edition – $31,165
This also new trim gets black wheels, unique grey paint, black mirror caps, red leather upholstery, eight speakers, a wireless charging pad, and wireless versions of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Premium – $33,365
The luxury-focused trim gets adaptive headlights, paddle shifters, a power liftgate, integrated navigation, a 12-speaker sound system from Bose, satellite radio, a heads-up display, and a traffic sign reader.
Carbon Turbo – $34,165
The base turbocharged trim comes standard with a 10.3-inch infotainment system, unique exterior paint, faux-leather upholstery, and black side mirrors.
Turbo Premium – $36,365
This trim adds a heated steering wheel and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Turbo Premium Plus – $38,175
Finally, this top trim gets an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, rear cross-traffic alert, and enhanced adaptive cruise control.
2024 Mazda CX-30 Overall Value 8.75/10
The CX-30 represents an excellent value in its segment. It drives great, feels outstanding in the cabin, and gets decent fuel economy, too. It’s not perfect and could use a little more polish here and there but as compact crossovers go, it’s one of the very best. Perhaps the only vehicles that could rival it in terms of value are those that stretch the buck even further. We’re thinking of vehicles like the Chevrolet Trax, the Hyundai Kona, and the Kia Niro. That said, consider new car incentives before pulling the trigger on any of these.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 9/10
2024 Mazda CX-30 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2024 Mazda CX-30 on Carsforsale.com
Mazda offers a really attractive package in the CX-30 but it’s worth noting that the Mazda3 hatch is nearly as practical while being even better to drive. That said, both would benefit from a more comprehensive warranty package. As it stands, the basic three-year limited warranty and five-year powertrain warranty offered by Mazda pales in comparison to what Kia and Hyundai offer.
2024 Mazda CX-30 FAQ
Does the Mazda CX-30 require premium gas?
According to the EPA, it doesn’t require premium fuel to achieve its MPG ratings. Mazda does say that the Turbo engine requires it to make its advertised horsepower and torque ratings.
What other cars is the Mazda CX-30 comparable to?
It’s most comparable to the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, and Chevrolet Trax.
How much is a Mazda CX-30?
The CX-30 starts at $26,370 and can cost nearly $40,000 depending on options.
