It's only been around for two years, but Mazda CX-30 has already won the hearts of many buyers. Moreover, this small crossover has also won numerous car magazine awards around the globe, including the Car of the Year award by Wheels magazine in Australia. Today, it is more popular than the model on which it is based, the Mazda 3 hatchback.
The CX-30 had an excellent reception for several good reasons. First of all, it is one of the best-looking cars in the segment, with the styling directly borrowed from its hatchback sibling.
It’s the same story with the interior, which is one of the nicest in the class and seems pretty much on par with cabins of premium car models in the segment.
Considering that the car is practically more a hatchback than an SUV, it also offers impressive handling and overall driving experience. Finally, the Australian model provides a choice of three engines, two transmissions and two drivetrains.
The First Generation of Mazda CX-30 (2019-present)
The Mazda CX-30 was introduced in 2019, and it came to fill the gap between the too-small CX-3 model and the bigger CX-5 family SUV. The Australian version debuted the same year and considering that the model looks really lovely, there was no need for updates so far.
Design
Design-wise, the CX-30 is heavily based on the Mazda 3 hatchback. The two models were developed together, and both ride on the same chassis and share most of the parts. This refers to the suspension design as well, which combines a typical McPherson strut at the front with a torsion beam on the rear axle.
Compared to the previous-generation Mazda 3 that featured multi-link independent suspension on the rear axle, this may seem like a downgrade.
In reality, the ride quality isn't much different, and just like the current-generation Mazda 3, the CX-30 offers pretty engaging handling. A big help comes from Mazda's latest version of torque vectoring system, which reduces the power delivery to certain wheels during cornering to provide perfect weight transfer. As a result, the CX-30 is better than rivals in corners and offers a sportier overall driving experience.
The CX-30 comes with ventilated discs at the front and standard discs on the rear wheels.
Dimensions
The Mazda CX-30 is a small city crossover, which competes with models like Hyundai Kona, Honda HR-V, and Toyota C-HR. Therefore, the dimensions are pretty typical for the segment. Interestingly, this model features a shorter wheelbase than the Mazda 3 hatchback (2,655mm vs 2,725mm).
The crossover is 4,395 millimetres long and 1,795 millimetres wide, while the ground clearance is 175mm, which is relatively modest for an SUV. Practically, the car looks like an SUV more because of its black-plastic cladding.
Mazda CX-30 Dimensions
- Wheelbase: 2655mm
- Length: 4395mm
- Height: 1540mm
- Width: 1795mm
- Ground Clearance: 175mm
- Weight: 1380-1530kg
- Turning Circle: 10.6m
Interior
The cabin design is undoubtedly one of the strongest selling points of this crossover. The Mazda CX-30 interior features the same design as the Mazda 3 hatchback, which means that you may count on great build quality and high-end materials.
Also, the dashboard features a unique design that’s simplistic yet very stylish, which puts this Mazda on par with much more expensive, premium-badged crossovers like BMW X1 and Audi Q3, to name a few.
The front seats are comfortable and generous with space, while the second row is typical for the class and doesn’t accommodate taller passengers particularly well. The cargo volume is better compared to the Mazda 3 hatchback but still below class average ratings.
In numbers, that would be 317 litres – 22 more compared to the hatchback twin. For comparison, the Honda HR-V features 448 litres of boot space.
Engines
The initial version came with two petrol engines on the offer, while the third, new-generation SkyActive X unit was added a year later.
For the base Mazda CX-30 price in Australia, you get a well-known and proven 2.0-litre SkyActiveG engine (known as G20 in Australia), which features a max output of around 114 kW 200 Nm of the max torque. This engine pairs with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto to send power to the front wheels.
With this engine, the CX-30 needs around 10 seconds to hit 100 km/h, typical for the class. The claimed fuel economy goes around 6.5 litres per 100km in a combined ride.
Just like the base 2.0-litre unit, the optional 2.5-litre engine (G25) also comes without turbo or any other kind of forced induction. It puts out around 139 kW and 252 Nm of torque, which is similar to the power you get from rivals using turbocharged engines.
However, this one is notably smoother because of its bigger capacity. Also, it really likes to rev high (redline is at 7,000 rpm), which brings many benefits at higher speeds. Unlike the base engine, this one is available only with a 6-speed automatic, though you can also get a version with an all-wheel drive.
Compared to the base version, this one is 1.5 seconds faster, while the claimed fuel economy isn’t much different – 6.8L/100km in a combined ride, according to the manufacturer.
Finally, there is a version with the new SkyActiveX engine. This engine, which was introduced in 2020, features a revolutionary technology using compression ignition. In other words, it runs on petrol but works like a mix of a petrol and diesel engine.
In theory, this should provide more torque and better fuel economy compared to the standard petrol engine. In reality, the difference isn't significant, but we presume that Mazda engineers need more time to master this new technology, so the significant improvement will probably come with the next generation of these engines.
Meanwhile, the CX-30 X20 uses a 2.0-litre SkyActiveX engine, which features a max output of 132 kW and 224 Nm of max torque. The claimed fuel economy is 6L/100km in a combined ride. It's worth mentioning that this engine comes with a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive only, as well as with a modest 24-V mild-hybrid system.
Mazda CX-30 Engine Specs
- Mazda CX-30 G20 (2.0L SkyActiveG)
- Engine Capacity: 1998cc
- Number of cylinders: 4
- Fuel Type: Regular Unleaded Petrol
- Transmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic
- Maximum torque: 200Nm
- Maximum power: 114kW
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): 10.2s
- Fuel Consumption (claimed): 6.5L/100km (combined)
- Fuel tank capacity: 51L
Mazda CX-30 G25 (2.5L SkyActiveG)
- Engine Capacity: 2488cc
- Number of cylinders: 4
- Fuel type: Regular Unleaded Petrol
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Maximum torque: 252Nm
- Maximum power: 139kW
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): 8.7s
- Fuel Consumption (claimed): 6.8L/100km (combined)
- Fuel tank capacity: 51L
Mazda CX-30 x20 (SkyActiveX)
- Engine Capacity: 1998cc
- Number of cylinders: 4
- Fuel type: Regular Unleaded Petrol
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Maximum torque: 224Nm
- Maximum power: 132kW
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): 8.4s
- Fuel Consumption (claimed): 6.0L/100km (combined)
- Fuel tank capacity: 48L
Mazda CX-30 Grades and Pricing
The current Mazda CX-30 price in Australia starts at around $29,000 and comes in the following grades and variants:
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure Manual: $28,990
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure Automatic: $29,990
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve: $31,590
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring: $35,190
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring AWD: $38,690
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G20 Astina: $39,190
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina: $41,690
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina AWD: $43,690
- 2021 Mazda CX-30 X20 Astina AWD: $46,690
Is the Mazda CX-30 bigger than the CX 5?
No. While the Mazda CX-30 is a small city crossover, the CX-5 is a mid-size family SUV. The CX-5 features notably bigger overall dimensions, longer wheelbase and way more interior space, both for the passengers and cargo.
The CX-5 is also heavier and has more powerful engine options, including a turbocharged version of the 2.5-litre petrol engine. This unit puts out around 170 kW and an impressive 420 Nm of max torque. With this engine, the CX-5 needs around 7.5 seconds to hit 100km/h.
Here is a short comparison of dimensions of CX-30 and CX-5:
Mazda CX-30 (Mazda CX-5)
- Wheelbase: 2655mm (2700mm)
- Length: 4395mm (4550mm)
- Height: 1540mm (1675mm)
- Width: 1795mm (1840mm)
- Ground Clearance: 175mm (193mm)
- Weight: 1380-1530kg (1505–1659 kg)
- Turning Circle: 10.6m (11.8m)
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By Nebojsa Grmusa