2024 Mazda CX-30 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Apparently, Mazda wants to make sure you don’t mistake the CX-30 for a car. How else can the company explain the excessive charcoal-coloured plastic coating the lower portions of the body? It’s too much. Mazda could reduce it by half, and the CX-30 would be much more attractive. Nevertheless, this Mazda crossover is appealing overall, with short overhangs, a long and low hood, dramatically sculpted flanks, a squat greenhouse, and a rakish roofline. Are you a fan of black wheels? Mazda has you covered.

Open any of the doors, and the interior looks and feels like a class above, demonstrating style, refinement, and attention to detail on par with an entry-level luxury-branded SUV. The gauges are a model of clarity, the infotainment screen nestles into the dashboard rather than appearing glued onto it, and the dual-zone climate controls are a work of art.

In Canada, there are four versions of the 2024 CX-30 from which to choose. Two engines are offered: the GX, GS, and GT trims come with a 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, while the CX-30 Suna models boast a turbocharged four-cylinder good for up to 250 hp (this engine is optional on GT). Prices range from $28,150 to $43,390, including a destination charge of $2,095 plus other fees.

Our test car arrived in the U.S. equivalent of Suna trim wearing an exclusive colour combination of Zircon Sand paint over Terracotta and Black interior upholstery. The exterior colour provokes love-it-or-hate-it reactions, and Mazda uses it on several of its models. In our opinion, it works much better on SUVs than it does on the company’s MX-5 sports car.

Thanks to its turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, our test vehicle had no trouble in the acceleration department. Despite its 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas), the CX-30 doesn’t leap forward when you stomp on the accelerator pedal. The torque arrives no sooner than 2,000 rpm, and Mazda appears to tune the powertrain response for a slow build.

Surfing is analogous to the sensation. It’s akin to paddling in advance of, catching, and then riding a wave. As a driver aware of the engine’s output numbers, you might think a CX-30 Turbo feels sluggish, but that’s deceptive. Instead, power delivery rises smoothly to a crescendo, accompanied by a pleasing note. In addition, considering the amount of oomph you get in other small crossovers, the turbocharged Mazda is, perhaps appropriately, the sports car of its class.

Mazda employs a traditional six-speed automatic transmission in the CX-30. Shifting is flawless, and a standard AWD system ships the power to all four wheels.

However, fuel economy is not the turbocharged engine’s forte. Natural Resources Canada says you should expect to use 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, but we observed 13.3 L/100 km on our mountainous evaluation route. That’s midsize, three-row SUV territory. And the CX-30’s small 48-litre fuel tank doesn’t help. Based on our average, if you burn every drop in the tank, you’ll travel no further than 360 kilometres.

Like every Mazda, the CX-30 is fun to drive. Zippy and nimble with a firm, connected ride, it zigs and zags with ease, making any errand or commute something more than a chore. Unexpectedly, given the limited glass area, the CX-30 offers excellent outward visibility due to thin windshield pillars, large side mirrors, and rear quarter windows. The standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems certainly help.

Getting up to highway velocity is not a problem. Once you’ve reached cruising speed, the CX-30 is smooth and relatively quiet. Dog owners take note: You can drive a CX-30 at 110 km/h with one rear window down, and you won’t get any of that dreaded shudder in the cabin.

In the mountains, the CX-30 felt a little soft and squishy. However, though not performance-tuned, it tackles back roads with enthusiasm and competence. We didn’t head off the pavement, but with standard AWD, an Off-Road traction assist setting, and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance, a CX-30 can likely handle a more challenging trail than some competitors.

Overall, the Mazda CX-30 is easy to live with, though it might not be the best choice if you have lots of people and stuff to carry. And if you hate visiting gas stations, a CX-30 Turbo is definitely not right for you.

Deft design, quality materials, and logical controls are the rule rather than the exception within the CX-30. Mazda’s three-gauge, partial digital instrumentation is among our favourite setups, and the CX-30 boasts a traditional PRNDL shifter that’s a no-brainer to operate. Gloss black trim, metallic accents, and exposed stitching add contrast to the cabin, and the test vehicle’s Terracotta leather seats with simulated Black suede inserts added a splash of colour.

As you might expect from a small SUV, the interior room is cramped, especially in the back seat. The driver and front passenger will be comfortable, and because the CX-30 sits high off the ground, getting in and out is much easier than with a Mazda 3 hatchback. In addition, the power-adjustable driver’s seat offered on higher trims makes it easy to find a perfect position behind the steering wheel, and both front seats are heated.

Storage space is adequate enough that you might not complain. Also, though cargo volume measures only 572 litres behind the back seat, you can drop the load floor to stack luggage or retain a higher position and benefit from hidden underfloor storage. That flexibility means it is a practical, if not terribly generous, cargo hold. Fold the back seat down, and the CX-30 supplies 1,280 litres of volume, on par with other models in the small SUV segment.

GT and Suna versions of the 2024 CX-30 get a new 10.25-inch infotainment display, replacing the standard 8.8-incher in other models. Like some trims with the smaller display, it features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but this larger system provides touchscreen functionality when you’re using those smartphone mirroring platforms.

That’s great, but the screen is located far away from the driver and front passenger. Still, this change represents an improvement on Mazda’s policy of using static displays and a combination of steering wheel, centre console, and voice controls in a noble bid to reduce driver distraction. However, if Mazda’s intent in eliminating touchscreens is truly for that reason, then the automaker needs to add a natural voice recognition system. As it is, the system works adequately only if you follow the on-screen command prompts. But that methodology is just as distracting as a touchscreen, so we fail to see how Mazda achieves its stated goal here.

All CX-30s in Canada have a complimentary two-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services. New this year, two USB-C ports equipped on the GT and Suna trims provide connectivity for the latest devices, and these versions of the SUV also have a wireless smartphone charger and a Bose premium audio system.

Every version of this Mazda has blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. These features join forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control as part of the CX-30’s collection of driving assistance systems. However, in Canada, these latter features are not standard; instead, they come in at the GS trim.

Move up the trim-level ladder to access adaptive headlights that swivel to help you see around dark corners and curves. Choose the GT or Suna models, and you’ll get front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and a traffic jam assist system. That latter feature provides a hands-on driving assistance system pairing adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist.

We used all of the CX-30 Suna’s safety features. High points include an adaptive cruise control system that quickly resumes the set speed after changing lanes, lane-departure warnings that vibrate instead of shaking the steering wheel, and a decisive lane-keeping assist system that typically intervenes only when necessary. However, the test vehicle’s automatic curve speed reduction technology is too aggressive, causing irritation.

Rest assured the CX-30 will protect you in a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the CX-30 earns five-star ratings in every assessment except for rollover resistance, where it gets a four-star rating. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says the CX-30 is a Top Safety Pick+, the highest honour it can bestow.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 offers something for everybody. At the low end of the lineup, it delivers desirable standard features and unexpected style and refinement at an appealing price. At the high end, performance and upscale amenities are on the menu at prices that undercut small entry-luxury SUVs.

Thanks to the breadth and depth of the CX-30 lineup, it rivals subcompact SUVs wearing both mass-market and luxury brands. This Mazda is a great alternative to a Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, or Subaru Crosstrek. Other premium-positioned competitors could include the Buick Encore GX and Volkswagen Taos. And in fully loaded CX-30 Suna trim, it offers a credible alternative to something like an Audi Q3 or BMW X2.

If fuel economy is important to you, skip the turbocharged engine in favour of the standard 191-hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder. It offers good power for the segment and returns decent fuel efficiency. If you don’t mind spending more money on gas, the Mazda CX-30 Turbo is a rewarding little SUV to drive.

No matter which CX-30 you choose, you’ll get expressive design, athletic handling, modern technology, and top safety ratings. It might look a little silly with its high-waisted body cladding and stubby butt, but in most respects, this Mazda nails the fundamentals while offering impressive attention to the details.

Note: Images show a US model.