2023 Mazda CX-30 Overview What’s new: In 2023, everything will remain the same. In 2020, you’ll be able to buy the first generation of the CX-30. The Mazda CX-30 is the brand’s smallest and least expensive SUV. Even though it has fewer features and could be better made than the bigger SUVs, the design is just as good. It costs a little more than similar products but offers a lot. Like all Mazdas, the CX-30 is fun to drive because it has a strong engine and quick steering. But comfort isn’t lost because the small SUV has comfortable seats and a smooth ride. It also has a high-end interior design that distinguishes it from other cars. There won’t likely be any significant updates for the 2023 model year, and that’s good. The CX-30 comes with a potent turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and more high-tech driver aids than many competitors. The Mazda is a good choice if you want a tiny SUV. Even though we like the CX-30 a lot, there are some things we don’t like. It gets worse gas mileage and has a smaller trunk than rival vehicles in the same price range. Even though the space is more significant when the back seats are down, the surface is not flat. Consider the best-rated Volkswagen Taos, the Buick Encore GX, and the Hyundai Kona in the market for extra-small SUVs. What do they like to live with? First, short-term assessments sometimes give a partial picture. Fortunately, Invoice Pricing tested a 2020 Mazda CX-30 Premium for almost 17,000 miles. We thought it was an excellent SUV from the start, and it turned out to be just that. Pros vs Cons Pros: The highest quality standards for building and interior design There are advanced safety features built in. The car handles well and is comfortable to ride in. A strong engine that is boosted by gas Cons: It might be hard to shift the transmission down. Black spots that are hard to see Insufficient fuel efficiency Performance How do you move the CX-30? The CX-30 is easy and enjoyable to drive. The base engine has more power than most in this class. Our test CX-30 got to 60 mph in nine seconds, while other cars took more than ten. The turbocharged engine can be used if you need speed, of course. The CX-30 Turbo is the fastest car in its class. It can reach 60 mph from a standstill in under 6.4 seconds. Sharp steering helps you get a good feel for the road. It makes the CX-30’s already excellent handling even better by letting it glide around curves and look at home on roads that twist and turn. When left alone, the transmission likes to make early upshifts to save gas. It takes a beat for the information to kick down when trying to pass on the highway. The CX-30 can show off its best qualities in Sport mode. Comfort How lovely is the CX-30 to ride in? For a sporty SUV, the CX-30 is very comfortable. The seats in the front are sturdy and comfortable enough for long trips. The back seats are very comfortable and have lots of padding, but they are narrow enough. Even though the suspension is sporty and tight, it can still handle knocks and bumps. It’s a lot of fun to drive on the highway. Compared to other vehicles in its class, the CX-30’s cabin is hushed. The dual-zone climate control could be better for people who like it cold, but the back vents make sure that everyone gets the same air. The heated seats take a while to get warm, but they are very toasty once they do. Interior How does the inside look? The CX-30’s interior is simple but friendly. It is easy to see and use the controls. The entertainment system is set up well, and using the rotary knob to move around is easy. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the only ones that don’t work. They would be much easier to use on the CX-30 if it had a touchscreen. The CX-30’s cabin is surprisingly big for such a small SUV. People under six feet tall should have enough room in all directions in front of them. The CX-30 can fit up to five people, but two adults of average height are most comfortable in the back seats. The CX-30’s more rounded shape has a few drawbacks. The wide rear pillar and small rear window make it harder to see out of cars with more boxy shapes. Technology How good is the tech? The CX-30 has a lot of technology built in. Modern safety and driving aids are some of the best in their class regarding how well they work. Even a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is available, but you have to pay for the service after the trial period. On the front of the CX-30 we tested were two USB ports and two 12-volt power connections. The new Bose sound system makes nice, clear sounds with enough bass. The 8.8-inch infotainment screen is clear and bright, and the navigation system is easy to use. Even though it’s easy to use the rotary dial, it would be better to have a touchscreen. In older Mazdas, you could use the touchscreen when the car comes to a complete stop. This is no longer true with the new infotainment system in the CX-30. Storage What about putting things away? The CX-30’s storage could be better than the best in its class. The distance from the hatch to the back of the seats is pretty close, even though there is significant space for cargo behind the back seats. A big, tall hatch makes it easier to load. But it will be harder to load big, heavy things because the backs of the rear seats don’t fold down to the trunk floor. There is some extra space for small things. The ample space in front of the shifter, the storage space under the center armrest, and the glove box are all useful. Since the car is small, it makes sense that the cupholders and door pockets are also small. If you have small children, it will be hard to install a larger rear-facing seat because of how the car is built. Fuel Economy How well does it use gasoline? In city driving, the CX-30 gets 26 mpg, and on the interstate, it achieves 31 mpg with the standard engine. In the city, the optional turbocharged engine achieves 25 mpg, while it achieves 30 mpg on the highway. Both get less than average gas mileage for their class, with some competitors getting more than 30 mpg on the road. Based on the average fuel economy of 26 mpg for our base-engine test CX-30 during our evaluation, the EPA numbers can be reached in regular driving. Value Is it a good deal to buy a CX-30? The CX-30 starts on the expensive side, but it comes with a lot of tech and safety features as standard, which makes it comparable to many of the competition’s mid-level trims. But it’s more work to explain why the turbocharged engine is worth the extra money. With the same machine, a Mazda CX-5 costs a bit more. The inside is enormous, well-designed, and has soft-touch surfaces, leather, and chrome accents that are placed tastefully. No one will notice if the piano-black door knobs occasionally creak and leave marks. The class average for ownership and warranty costs. Wildcard The inside and outside of the Mazda CX-30 are stylish, sporty, and attractive. It turns precisely and makes you feel confident when driving, just like the smaller Mazda CX-3, but the inside is bigger and more comfortable. In general, it’s a good vehicle. What is Invoice Pricing's Recommendation? As of this writing, Mazda has not made any official announcements about the 2023 CX-30. We’ll change our recommendation if something changes, but based on the CX-30 from last year, we recommend the Select trim. It has the same features as the regular trim, plus options like faux leather seats, keyless entry, and blind-spot monitoring while keeping the price low. Even though the turbocharged engine costs more, the extra power may be helpful for some customers. Mazda CX-30 variations The Mazda CX-30 is a tiny SUV that has space for five people. The trim levels are 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, 2.5 Turbo Premium, and 2.5 Turbo Premium. 2023 Mazda CX-30 Video Review
