2024 Mazda CX-30 Review

Choice can be a good thing.

In the subcompact crossover segment, there’s plenty of choice — maybe even too much. It means regardless of a buyer’s predilection toward something built for rugged adventures, hauling stuff around, saving fuel, or just something fun for commuting and running errands, there’s at least one decent offering out there.

Considering what the 2024 Mazda CX-30 does well, it helps narrow things down for a buyer looking for a stylish little runabout that’s enjoyable to drive.

Styling: 8.5/10

Mazda’s full lineup has been aging very gracefully. While competitors in the segment run the styling gamut of everything from exaggerated off-roader, to movie prop from Tron, the CX-30 is sleek, sporty, and well-proportioned. And that praise comes despite wearing a paint hue as vibrant and exciting as freshly-cured concrete — although admittedly, it’s beautifully applied. To nitpick, the oversized black plastic fender flares are a little much, but they’re on-trend these days and can be practical at taking the scuffs of real-world life, so we’ll give it a pass. 

The interior was spiced up with some deep red leather upholstery and stitching sprinkled throughout the otherwise understated black space. The centre console surrounding the gear selector features a series of often-used buttons, but is finished in glossy-black plastic that collects fingerprints and dust in short order. Overall, though, the cockpit has a design that’s simple, clean, and likely to age well.

Driving Feel: 8.5/10

The CX-30 looks great, but it also drives better than you might expect from a mainstream crossover. Steering feel and the way it controls its body motions when flung into corners could convince a driver they’re piloting a sporty little hatchback — and go figure, considering all this has in common with the Mazda3. The CX-30 isn’t going to swallow the impact of potholes the way, say, a Subaru Crosstrek will, but its nimbleness makes it a fun choice for enjoying some winding country roads.

Power: 7/10

While Mazda offers the CX-30 GT with an optional turbocharged engine, our tester’s heart was a normally-aspirated 2.5L inline-four delivering 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. These figures are competitive even against the optional turbocharged engines in the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos.

Although a bit gruff-sounding, the 2.5L is a good match for the CX-30, giving it sufficient passing power and keeping it feeling lively around town. Its six-speed automatic transmission is energetic, too, snapping off decently-quick shifts. Despite their swiftness, the gear changes are also smooth enough to not draw attention to themselves.

While this engine is likely adequate for most drivers, power-hungry enthusiasts opting for a CX-30 may wish to scrounge up the extra $2,400 for the turbocharged version that pumps out more than 300 lb-ft of torque and makes it decidedly quicker. 

Fuel Economy: 7.5/10

Of course, opting for the turbo engine also comes with a bigger thirst for fuel, consuming notably more go-juice than the non-turbo version. Here, the CX-30 is rated at 9.0 L/100 km in the city, 7.1 on the highway, and 8.2 combined, all of which are competitive within the segment. During a week of testing that skewed slightly more toward highway than city driving, we saw an average in the mid-7s — right on track with the official figures, and with only regular-grade gas required.

The CX-30’s tiny, 48-L fuel tank means fillups feel less painful in terms of cost, but happen too frequently with a shorter range. 

Safety: 9.5/10

Safety sells, and with key competitors making extensive advanced safety suites standard, Mazda has done the same. Its system incorporates adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive front lighting with automatic high-beam control. Beyond all that, the structure is a solid one, too, and Mazda has been awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a full five-star rating from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Features: 7/10

As an upper trim, this CX-30 GT tester was well equipped with the niceties expected in premium models these days. Dual-zone climate control, a 12-speaker stereo, onboard navigation, a sunroof, power tailgate, and heated front seats. Some competitors also offer heated rear seats and ventilated front seats, both of which are lacking here.

User-Friendliness: 7/10

Thanks to a new 10.25-inch screen, Mazda has now incorporated touchscreen operation when using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, the pedantic rotary knob is still required to operate most of the features and functions. It also takes a bit of time to get used to the small volume knob placement down beside the driver on the centre console, rather than higher up on the dashboard. Climate controls are simple enough with dials for temperature adjustment, and physical buttons for the rest. 

The driving position is sportier than in some other small crossovers, reinforcing this model’s reputation as a sporty offering. Forward visibility is good, but the rear three-quarter view is hampered by the sloped roofline and short side glass profile. 

Comfort: 7/10

As an affordable daily driver, the CX-30 fares well in terms of comfort — at least for those up front. Larger rear-seat passengers may want for more leg- and headroom, as this Mazda falls short of its primary competitors on both fronts. The front seats are comfortably-shaped and decently supportive, and their perforated design means sweaty backs can be avoided. 

Practicality: 7/10

Like everything in the segment, the CX-30 is equipped to carry five occupants. Squeezing three across the backseat is sure to result in complaints, however. This little Mazda is also cited for its scant cargo space in the segment. Its 572 L of volume behind the rear seat may be notably less than standouts like Kia Seltos, but it’s on par with competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Subaru Crosstrek. Plus, with the split-folding rear seat down, 1,280 L of space is available for hauling more or big items.

Value: 7.5/10

With all CX-30s featuring all-wheel drive, even the entry-level GX trim, starting at $28,150, offers some good value. From there, the lineup adds plenty of features and amenities, as well as cost, but Mazda has done a good job of offering up a competitive series of specs that should suit a broad spectrum of wants and budgets. 

The GT trim is fairly lavishly equipped, and with a starting cost of less than $38,000, it represents an affordable offering in the segment with a surprisingly upscale presence. Still, there are a lot of competitors, some of which offer more features for the money, and more space.

The Verdict

For years, Mazda has been cultivating a reputation of building driver-oriented machines, and the CX-30 continues that tradition. This is the subcompact crossover for buyers who place higher value on driving dynamics and style over outright space and practicality. For the many drivers using a crossover like this as a daily commuter, the 2024 Mazda CX-30 is well worth considering.