What's New
The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is an all-new addition to the brand's family of crossovers. Slotted just above the entry-level Mazda CX-3, the CX-30 offers a larger cargo area and significantly more power, all wrapped in a dramatic coupe-style body. The CX-30 is still a small crossover, but there's more substance here than its price suggests.
Choosing Your Mazda CX-30
Mazda offers the CX-30 in four trim levels: CX-30, Select, Preferred, and Premium. Pricing starts at $22,945 including destination for the base CX-30 and tops out at $29,245 for the Premium model.
Engine Choices
Every CX-30 comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. For comparison, the CX-3 gets a 2.0-liter that makes 148 hp and 146 lb-ft.
It's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is available on all trims for $1,400. The AWD system gets Mazda's new off-road traction assist feature, which diverts power away from wheels that lose contact with the ground.
The CX-30 is EPA-rated at 25 miles per gallon city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined, or 25/32/27 mpg (city/highway/combined) with AWD.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Mazda CX-30 seats up to five passengers with more available space than its exterior dimensions suggest. All seats are comfortable and supportive, and interior finishes are cut above what we expect in this class.
There's 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and 45.2 cubic feet with it folded. The CX-30 ranks between subcompact and compact in terms of utility.
Safety Features
The CX-30 also exceeds expectations when it comes to driver assistance technology. Every models comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, a driver alertness monitor, and automatic high beams.
The Select and above also get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Exclusive to the Premium are adaptive headlights and a head-up display.
Connectivity
The CX-30 starts out with a 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, HD radio, Pandora integration, and two USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard starting with the Select, while the Preferred adds satellite radio.
A wireless charging pad is available on all models for $275.
The CX-30 comes nicely equipped with features like push button start, remote keyless entry, an electronic parking brake, cloth seats, and an eight-speaker audio system. The outside receives full LED lighting, automatic headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Select gives buyers a leatherette interior with dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, a center armrest with cupholders, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Other upgrades include automatic perimeter lock activation, rear privacy glass, and 18-inch wheels.
The Preferred furnishes heated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat with memory settings, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a gloss black grille.
The Premium heads into luxury territory with leather seats, a power liftgate, a sunroof, a head-up display, LED signature exterior lighting, and adaptive headlights. Practical upgrades include roof rails, paddle shifters, and cylinder deactivation for enhanced efficiency.
Compare CX-30 Trims Side-By-Side
The 2020 Mazda CX-30 Select offers a generous load of features that defies its friendly price. It's clearly the best value in the lineup. For its part, the Premium is a credible alternative to luxury-branded small crossovers costing thousands more.