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2020 Mazda CX-30

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Make
Mazda
Model
CX-30
Year
2020
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OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
2.9 (Fair)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2020 Base 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility
most popular
Price:   -  From $21,900
2020 Base 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $23,300
2020 Select Package 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $23,900
2020 Select Package 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $25,300
2020 Preferred Package 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $26,200
2020 Preferred Package 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $27,600
2020 Premium Package 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $28,200
2020 Premium Package 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $29,600

Overview

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.

Mazda CX-30

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.

Mazda CX-30

CX-30 - From $22,945

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.

Select - From $24,945

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.

Preferred - From $27,245

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.

Premium - From $29,245

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

CarsDirect Tip

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.

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Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • High fun quotient
  • Attractive interior
  • Strong standard safety
Cons
  • Clunky infotainment system
  • Material durability a concern
  • High price point vs. competition
Expert Rating
2.9 (Fair)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

What's in a name? Let's get this out of the way right off the bat: the 2020 Mazda CX-30 isn't the same as the Mazda CX-3. They are similar, yes. But the same, they are not.

The CX-30's sheet metal represents the latest distillation of the Mazda school of design. Compared to the CX-3, there's narrower headlights and a wider, bolder grille with less surrounding visual clutter. The side profile looks cleaned up, with some creases smoothed out and the sculpting more subtle. The general pared-down theme continues to the rear end.

It all makes for a progressive look, a clear step forward from the current design language used on the older models in the Mazda lineup. But it's the bigger dimensions that will please buyers most. Compared to the CX-3, the CX30 is nearly 5 inches longer and 1.2 inches wider. The resulting larger interior is a welcome touch, as the CX-3 is constrained by its tight dimensions.

In our hands, we found the bigger CX-30 could fit two tall adults in the back without issue, even if the front seats were set for six-footers – this isn't the case with the CX-3. Front seats were roomy, well-bolstered, and comfortable. There are 20 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats; fold those down and there are 45 cubes to work with.

Fun spirited. Mazda is well known for tuning their vehicles to have some verve, and the CX-30 is no exception. In a class of anodyne transportation pods, the CX-30 is a relative diva.

Things begin with its 186-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It makes do without a turbocharger and pairs to a six-speed automatic transmission. Such a familiar gearbox is somewhat of a rarity in a class that seems to favor continuously variable units – and is also somewhat of a rarity in a world now rife with eight-or-more-speed transmissions.

But no matter. The CX-30 has a willingness to rev and has a level of refinement not common in this class. The transmission happily holds gears if you ask it to, and sport mode exacerbates this, almost to an annoying extent.

Underneath, the CX-30 rocks an independent suspension up front and a torsion beam setup in back. The astute among you might note that the old Mazda Mazda3 used an independent suspension at all four corners, but the new 2020 model – and this CX-30 that's based on it – have seemingly regressed to using a torsion beam rear suspension. Why? The cost was likely the biggest reason.

You'd think this retrogressive change should be reflected in handling, but it isn't. The CX-30 handles well for what it is. In fact, it's almost fun, especially when compared to a Honda HR-V or Toyota C-HR. There's a touch of real sport here. The Mazda MX-5 Miata would be proud.


Mazda CX-30

Infotainment woes. The CX-30 over-delivers on dynamics, but when it comes to comfort and convenience features (which, let's face it, is what buyers really care about), there's still some room for improvement. Particularly with the infotainment setup.

For starters, there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on the base model. Maybe we're this is just us being spoiled, considering the CX-30's $22,945 base price. But look over to the competition and you'll find that the Chevy Trax, Hyundai Kona, and C-HR all offer this desirable compatibility as standard – and they also cost less than the CX-30 (more on that in a minute).

Beyond that, we also take umbrage with the 8.8-inch display screen. Rather than embrace the popular haptic design, Mazda has decided to stick with a rotary knob, the reason being that drivers should not be fiddling with screens as they drive.

It's a commendable idea that we think holds water. But the irony here is how difficult the Mazda system is to use intuitively, especially when compared to lauded touchscreen software like FCA's Uconnect and Ford's Sync 3.

At least the rest of the dapper-looking interior is decent. There's impressive fit and finish and surprisingly nice materials, though how long they'll hold up is a concern. Our test car already was showing scratches on some of the gloss-black interior trim, and it had just 500 miles on the odometer.

Questionable value. Along with the needs-improvement infotainment system, the value play of the CX-30 is questionable at best. As we mentioned, the base price of this crossover sits at $22,945.

For that money, you get 16-inch wheels, keyless ignition, cloth upholstery, and some active safety features such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

We'll admit it's a decent list, but the competition has done one better. Other models either offer equivalent standard features but start at a cheaper price, such as the $21,580 Ford EcoSport. Others are similarly priced but offer more features, like the $22,415 C-HR. It includes 17-inch wheels, smartphone compatibility, and dual-zone climate control as standard.

Higher trims continue the trend. At the top of the CX-30 lineup is the Premium trim, which is just shy of $30,000 without any options. It includes luxury touches like a panoramic roof, power liftgate, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. But it also costs about $3,000 more than the top-trim models of comparable cars.

At that price point, you have to seriously consider what else you can get for your money before you splurge on the CX-30. For instance, that $30,000 can buy you a mid-grade Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V.

You could also get a base Ford Edge or Honda Passport for just another $1,000 to $2,000 more. Though all these bigger models will sacrifice fuel economy and not be as feature-laden, their additional size, higher-quality materials, and more refined powertrains are enticing reasons to buy.

Final thoughts. The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is a deft dancing partner in a segment that typically has two left feet. But is its higher price of entry worth some dynamic thrills?

While some of us auto writers might answer in the affirmative, most shoppers would rather save a few dollars. And in this category of vehicle, we can't fault them a bit. This is an A-to-B mover that's replacing the econo-hatch as the cheap and practical transportation option.

Were it a bit cheaper or had a better infotainment setup, we'd be tempted to recommend it over some of its adversaries. But good looks and entertaining driving dynamics can't overcome the fact that, in a value-laden class, the Mazda simply falls short on value.

The CX-30 ultimately ends up being a great choice for those who care about driving, but probably not the best option for anyone else.

Check prices for the 2020 Mazda CX-30 »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 186 HP / 186 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 33 / 29 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 186 HP / 186 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 33 / 29 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
13.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$51
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
45.2 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
94 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
173.0 "
Exterior Width
70.7 "
Exterior Height
61.7 "
Front Headroom
38.1 "
Rear Headroom
38.3 "
Front Legroom
41.7 "
Rear Legroom
36.3 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.6 "
Rear Shoulder Room
53.6 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,232 Lbs.
Wheel Base
105 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
16.0 " Gray Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Front Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Accents
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
8-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
8-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan
Speakers
8
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Smart Brake Support (sbs) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keep Assist System (lkas) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Driver Attention Alert Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
High Beam Control System (hbc) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2020 Mazda CX-30 for Sale

2 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Mazda
Select
Color: Blue
Price

$18,449

Mileage

51,705 mi

Map location icon

SC Motors II (30 mi)

Phone: (714) 524-8400
Mazda
Select
Color: Gray
Price

$21,896

Mileage

27,102 mi

Map location icon

Browning Mazda (18 mi)

Phone: (562) 924-1414

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We have expanded the search to include other Mazda CX-30 years that you might be interested in.

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$19,975

Mileage

39,288 mi

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Phone: (310) 974-8177
Mazda
FWD 2.5 S
Color: Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Price

$18,990

Mileage

55,046 mi

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Mazda of Orange (34 mi)

Phone: (714) 633-6731
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