2023 Mazda CX-30

Since its debut in 2020, the Mazda CX-30 has earned a reputation for offering some of the best on-road driving dynamics you can get in a mass-market compact crossover. It’s arguably the sharpest-looking vehicle in its segment as well. With its agile handling and gutsy available turbocharged engine, the CX-30’s joie de vivre is well-matched to its sporty, sinewy looks. But its appeal is more than skin-deep—it also boasts a stylish and premium-feeling interior that tops that of some much pricier small luxury crossovers.  

At 173 inches long, the CX-30 became the smallest crossover in Mazda’s lineup after the teensy CX-3 was dropped for 2022. While the CX-30 shares its underpinnings with the also-excellent Mazda3, the crossover is 5 inches taller than the Mazda3 hatchback, affording it a not-insignificant 8 inches of ground clearance and a little more cargo room than its car sibling. Mazda has made very few changes for 2023, but the base model gets 5 more horsepower and a fuel efficiency boost that should add 2 mpg in combined driving.

The CX-30’s direct competitors are others at the smaller end of the compact-crossover spectrum, like the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taos, and Toyota Corolla Cross. In this hyper-competitive ecosystem, the Mazda stands out on style and substance, offering a much more satisfying experience behind the wheel than most of its rivals, at least on the pavement. But the CX-30 is nice enough that its very top 250-horsepower Turbo trims also nip at the heels of budget premium machinery like the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA ad BMW X1 and X2.

Of the CX-30’s seven trims, the base S (starting at $24,325), S Select, S Preferred, S Carbon, and S Premium are each powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo Premium ($35,175) and Turbo Premium Plus trims, as their names suggest, get the turbocharged 250-hp version of the 2.5, also good for 320 lb-ft of torque. An entry-level turbocharged trim known only as the “Turbo,” which last year was the cheapest way into the hotter engine, is not offered for 2023. 

The CX-30 offers seating for five—two very comfortable adults up front and up to three slightly cramped and hopefully smaller-stature passengers out back. Cargo capacity is also a little snug for the segment, with 20 cubic feet of storage behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and up to 45.2 with the seats folded down. Yes, it’s bigger than the Mazda3 hatchback, but both prioritize fun and style over cargo hauling, and the CX-30 has a vaguely “crossover coupe” look to it that looks appropriately sporty.

Mazda is generous with standard equipment. Rain-sensing wipers and key active-safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping are standard on the base CX-30, and this year sees some crash safety enhancements that will help shore up the crossover’s already-impressive safety ratings. All are saddled with Mazda’s old click-wheel infotainment system, which works well enough once you’re used to it but isn’t very intuitive, but that flaw seems small in comparison to the CX-30’s many virtues. The price does climb quite high for the Turbos, but it’s still less than the German alternatives.

Performance: 14/15

The Mazda CX-30 stands out among crossovers with its joyful driving dynamics. With its responsive handling and nicely-weighted steering, it provides a rewarding driving experience that’s rare in the segment. Meanwhile, the sophisticated torque-vectoring of its standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) delivers great performance during canyon carving and even a modicum of off-road capability. We’ve taken a CX-30 through an off-road course, and while it pays to be gentle with it, it can actually tackle moderate terrain.

Despite the taut handling and large wheels, the CX-30 also boasts a tranquil and well-isolated ride, with good sound damping that banishes road harshness, including on worn concrete.

The CX-30’s available turbocharged engine delivers a substantial kick with its 250 hp and impressive 320 lb-ft of torque, and a well-tuned Sport mode punches it up even more. However, most trims receive the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter base engine (now with 191 hp). This engine is generally sufficient for commuter duty, but even with the modest horsepower bump it received for this year, it lacks the lust for life that you get with the turbo. 

While the base-powered CX-30 takes over 8 seconds to get to 60 mph, turbocharged variants will beat a BMW X1 to speed and is only edged out by the high-strung and super-grippy Kona N. Still, the CX-30 is much more refined and nicer to drive than Hyundai’s raucous pocket rocket. While the CX-30’s turbo can only be optioned on the top two trims, the engine upgrade is what’s called for to get the most out of the well-sorted chassis.

Fuel Economy: 11/15

The top turbocharged engine promises an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 combined. Real-world figures tend toward the lower end of that scale (I was barely getting 22 mpg despite some highway driving), which compares unfavorably with segment-mates. This is the price you pay for opting for the fun engine and probably being a little overzealous with the right-side pedal and the Sport mode.

The non-turbo engine does predictably better, returning 25 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined (a roughly 2 mpg improvement over last year’s numbers in each measure), figures that are more in line with competitors like Seltos and Honda HR-V. Still, even these figures fall short of super-sippers like the Volkswagen Taos (31 mpg combined). And unlike Kona and the Kia Niro, Mazda doesn’t offer the CX-30 with a hybrid or EV drivetrain.   

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15

All CX-30s come standard with auto-emergency braking, lane-keep assist and departure warning, driver attention alert, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, and blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. Continue moving up and you’ll find items like adaptive headlights, rear emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree overhead cam.

The 2023 CX-30 earns a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That’s just below last year’s Top Safety Pick+ rating, but IIHS’s standards got much tougher this year. Mazda has also benefited from recent updates, with the CX-30 adding rear side airbags, rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and beefed-up B- and C-pillars this year so it could hang onto its ratings amidst the IIHS’s revised rear-occupant safety requirements. 

For its part, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t yet completed testing on the 2023 CX-30, though last year’s model earned a five-star overall rating even though it was dinged a star in the Rollover Resistance test. It’ll almost certainly repeat its five-star performance for 2023.

Comfort & Room: 13/15

Up front, the CX-30’s passenger compartment has a tailored feel, with the vehicle’s high beltline and supportive, highly-adjustable seats giving the sense of an interior that envelops you like a glove. Heated front seats are standard from the mid-trim Preferred on up, though a heated steering wheel is reserved for turbo-equipped variants and ventilated seats are unavailable. Controls are within easy reach and feature a good mix of simple knobs and switches with a high-quality feel.

The second row gets shortchanged by comparison, mostly owing to the CX-30’s diminutive size. The 36.3 inches of rear legroom is a touch more than what’s offered by the Mazda3 and the Kona, but trails the majority of segment competitors. Headroom is compromised by the sleek roofline, even more so if the sunroof is optioned. A pronounced drivetrain hump further crowds feet and hefty C-pillars and small window openings lend the backseat a claustrophobic feel. 

Yet despite the cramped quarters, these seats at least get their own climate vents. Niceties like heated rear seats, however, require sizing up to the CX-5. 

Infotainment: 11/15

Infotainment continues to be a weak point in today’s Mazdas, with a non-touchscreen center display controlled exclusively by an awkward center-console knob. It’s not an ideal setup, with simple operations requiring a lot of clicking and scrolling through menus. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are standard, but they too must be controlled via the infernal click wheel. 

The CX-30’s standard 8.8-inch center screen is otherwise quite good, with quick responses and muted but striking graphics. At top trims, a vibrant 360-degree overhead cam provides bird’s-eye visibility during maneuvers. In the audio department, an 8-speaker system is standard through most of the lineup, with a lovely Bose 12-speaker premium setup optioned only on the top two trims. Pandora internet radio integration is standard, but perhaps surprisingly, Sirius XM can only be had on these same top two trims.

Cargo Space & Storage: 10/15

In cargo capacity, too, the CX-30 cedes ground to competitors. The 20 cubic feet it offers behind the rear seats does beat out the Kona and Jeep Renegade. But with the rear seats folded down, nearly everything else in the class offers more volume than its 45.2 cubic feet, especially segment cargo champs like the Volkswagen Taos (65.9) and Kia Seltos (62.8). Nonetheless, the CX-30’s cargo area is a nicely accessible space, with a low load floor and an optional powered liftgate, still a rarity in the segment. 

Small-item storage is a little harder to come by in the CX-30’s sleek interior, with its dainty center-console compartment, the relative scarcity of cubbies and pair of cupholders placed awkwardly in front of the gearshift. Deep pockets of storage in each door help make up some ground, but overall there isn’t the abundance of clever stashes found in some competitors.  

Style & Design: 10/10

The CX-30 is inarguably lovely to behold, with the simple, flowing lines of Mazda’s current “Kodo” design language and a notable absence of sharp creases and exterior styling gimmicks. Though it’s often thought of as a “lifted Mazda3,” it’s actually a couple of inches shorter than its platform-mate, with a smaller wheelbase and tucked-in front and rear overhangs that help make the CX-30 an even better-proportioned vehicle than Mazda’s graceful hatchback. 

The interior, too, is a gem within the segment. A simplified Zen garden of calming lines and muted textiles, this cabin feels like it was imported from a much pricier car and nicer than the one in the (now soon to be replaced) BMW X2. Accents are limited to piano black, brushed silver, and two-tone upholstery—there’s nothing flashy or distracting here. Mazda’s minimalist white-on-black gauge cluster looks stunning, with a central configurable information screen that blends seamlessly with the analog gauges that flank it. 

Is the 2023 Mazda CX-30 Worth It?  Which CX-30 Is the Best Value?

The CX-30 starts at just $24,325 with destination ($1,375), which beats out the AWD starting price of Seltos, Taos, Kona, Chevy Trailblazer, and Toyota Corolla Cross. However, with its single-zone climate control and manual seat adjustments, the base CX-30 is probably not what you’re going to get. 

If you’re willing to stick with the base engine, the S Preferred trim is an economy sweet spot in the lineup. With dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise, blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and nice heated leatherette seats with 8-way power for the driver, it delivers the basics for a not-shocking $29,265.

But the rub is that driving enthusiasts will want to bump up to the turbocharged engine to get the most out of the CX-30, and for this, the minimum cost of entry is $35,135. While most of the Hyundai Kona lineup stays under $30K, the 276-hp Kona N, with which the turbocharged CX-30 is more rightly compared, weighs in at $35,495 with its better touchscreen interface, all-digital dash and configurable performance modes. However, the CX-30 is much more comfortable and refined on the road than this extreme Kona variant.

At the higher end, an AWD BMW X2 starts at $39,595, but it requires you to add most of the features that the equivalent CX-30 offers as standard. While leveling up to the top-trim CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus ($36,775) gives you a standard head-up display, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera, on the X2 these and other features (even heated seats!) are only available via options packages. Meanwhile, the top-shelf CX-30 offers better driving dynamics, more torque, and a nicer interior than the BMW. It also holds up well against the recently-redesigned X1 ($39,595).

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Mazda CX-30?

The CX-30 isn’t an expensive vehicle to insure. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of $1,807 for the 2.5-liter Premium and $1,862 for the top-trim Turbo Premium Plus, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $2,178 for the BMW X1, $1,774 for the Hyundai Kona SEL ($1,938 for the Kona N), $1,830 for the Kia Seltos SX $1,944 for the Volkswagen Taos SE and $2,091 for the Toyota Corolla Cross XLE. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.