2025 Mazda CX-30 Review

While its more affordable small SUV sibling, the CX-3, is based on the Mazda2, the CX-30 takes its skeleton from the larger Mazda3 which addresses one of the sore spots of the compact SUV segment - practicality.

 The added real estate makes the CX-30 range a great option for younger buyers and small families that are looking for both practicality and a user-friendly package to drive around town thanks to its relatively short wheelbase.

For 2025, Mazda’s CX-30 range has picked up some key upgrades, a brand-new Touring LE variant, with Mazda bundling in more features and some tech improvements to take the fight to its long list of small SUV competitors.

Just how well does the MY25 Mazda CX-30 stack up as a sleek, premium and practical small SUV and take the fight to its rivals? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Mazda CX-30 Competition

How Much Does the MY25 Mazda CX-30 Cost?

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 range is priced from $33,940 for the entry-level CX-30 G20 Pure, while the CX-30 G20 Evolve and Touring are priced at $35,840 and $39,640, respectively.

Stepping up to the CX-30 G25 Touring brings the price to $41,140 while the all-new CX-30 G20 Touring LE is priced at $41,940 and the CX-30 G25 GT SP is priced at $43,140.

The CX-30 G20 Astina is priced at $44,840 while the G25 GT SP AWD is priced at $45,140 and the G25 Astina and G25 Astina AWD range-toppers are priced at $46,340 and $48,340, respectively.

• CX-30 G20 Pure - $33,940

• CX-30 G20 Evolve - $35,840

• CX-30 G20 Touring - $39,640

• CX-30 G25 Touring - $41,140

• CX-30 G20 Touring LE - $41,940

• CX-30 G25 GT SP - $43,140

• CX-30 G20 Astina - $44,840

• CX-30 G25 GT SP AWD - $45,140

• CX-30 G25 Astina - $46,340

• CX-30 G25 Astina AWD - $48,340

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring LE Vision (FWD) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Mazda CX-30 Have?

Mazda’s entry-level CX-30 Pure range comes riding on a set of 16-inch alloys and receives automatic LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera with rear parking sensors, push-button start, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever, a head-up display and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

Upgrading from the base model to the CX-30 Evolve range adds 18-inch alloys as well as dual-zone climate control, wheel-mounted paddle shifters, sunglasses storage, a wireless smartphone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as well as a rear folding centre armrest.

The CX-30 Touring variants receive leather upholstery with power adjustment for the driver’s seat, keyless entry, front-mounted parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a reverse tilt-down side mirror.

Mazda’s CX-30 Touring LE receives a black grille and mirror caps, black 18-inch alloys, a rear spoiler, Maztex and suede upholstery with a Terracotta armrest, centre console and dashboard as well as Mazda’s Vision Technology pack.

The CX-30 GT SP picks up 18-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, a black grille design and mirrors, a heated steering wheel and front seats and Burgundy leather upholstery.

Finally, Mazda’s flagship CX-30 Astina range receives 18-inch silver alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a powered boot lift, black leather upholstery, a frameless rear-view mirror and a stack of added safety equipment.

Mazda CX-30 Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Most of the Mazda CX-30 range comes packaged with an 8.8-inch infotainment display sitting atop the dashboard.

The 8.8-inch infotainment system is packaged with satellite navigation as well as AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio and is paired with an eight-speaker sound system.

Buyers upgrading to the Touring LE or above pick up a 10.25-inch infotainment system, while the range-topping CX-30 Astina is packaged with a 12-speaker sound system courtesy of BOSE.

All CX-30 buyers pick up a 12-month Mazda Connected Services subscription which offers vehicle location tracking, status reports and diagnostics, remote locking, geofencing, stolen vehicle reporting and curfew notifications.

Does the Mazda CX-30 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Interestingly, while you’ll find wired smartphone mirroring across the CX-30 range, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are reserved for higher-ranking members of the lineup.

In the entry-level CX-30 Pure, for example, you’ll need to bring your own USB-C cable because there isn’t any wireless mirroring on offer.

Upgrading to the CX-30 Evolve or above does, however, add wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

Is the Mazda CX-30 Comfortable to Drive?

The CX-30 range has the fundamentals well and truly covered when it comes to the driving experience, though Mazda’s base engine is a little uninspiring, especially if you’re lashing out on a high trim level.

Under the bonnet, the CX-30 G20 range comes powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit that pushes out 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic.

This offers a decent amount of power, but it’s nothing to get too excited about in terms of acceleration.

Those looking for some more performance have the option of Mazda’s G25 engine which has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit pushing out 139kW of power and 252Nm of torque to either the front or all four wheels, depending on which box you’ve ticked.

The G25 unit offers a decent power upgrade for the CX-30 with better response off the line and more power for overtaking.

While power figures aren’t massive, the CX-30’s relatively lightweight construction means that it’s quite a bit of fun behind the wheel.

The steering is fast and responsive, while the CX-30’s short wheelbase construction means it pivots in the corners and tackles a run around the urban jungle with a refreshing sense of sportiness.

It’s also a pleasure to park thanks to the light steering and stout proportions that make it easy to squeeze into any vacant park or make a quick three-point turn.

The suspension package is a little firmer than you might expect though, in the majority of situations, it lends a solid footing to the CX-30 and helps out with that smile-inducing handling.

This does mean that on a rougher country road, the CX-30 rides a little firm and isn’t super accommodating to the bumps, though it’s not the only small SUV guilty of this.

While a front-wheel drive system is standard, Mazda offers the CX-30 with an all-wheel drive layout that we think is far from a must-have.

An all-wheel drive system in a package like the CX-30 doesn’t transform the driving experience and should not be the sole reason to upgrade to pricier versions of Mazda’s small SUV.

On the highway, the CX-30 is a mighty strong performer, providing a quiet cabin and great steering feel that make it a lovely long-distance tourer, provided the roads are nice and smooth.

All up, there’s no hiding the fact that the CX-30’s firm suspension prefers the confines of the urban jungle, though it surprises with a sporty nature in the corners which is a worthwhile trade-off for many small SUV buyers, especially enthusiasts.

Is the Mazda CX-30 Fuel Efficient?

While Mazda’s pair of petrol engines aren’t powerhouses, they are undeniably fuel-efficient.

On a combined cycle, Mazda’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder G20 engine is rated at 6.3L/100km, providing buyers with solid fuel economy figures.

Upgrading to the CX-30 G25 FWD range means you’ll sip slightly more fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle, while the G25 engine paired with an all-wheel drive system is rated at 6.8L/100km.

• G20 Fuel Economy: 6.3L/100km

• G25 Fuel Economy: 6.6L/100km

• G25 AWD Fuel Economy: 6.8L/100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Thanks to a platform borrowed from the Mazda 3 range, the CX-30 is a strong performer when it comes to interior practicality while Mazda’s expertise with great cabin designs is once again on show.

Climb aboard and it’s clear to see that practicality was not a mere afterthought for the CX-30 range which offers great accommodation for the small SUV segment in both the front and rear of the cabin.

The driver’s seat and steering wheel offer a great deal of adjustment, while a leather-wrapped steering wheel in the base model offers a nice, premium touch.

Headroom in the front of the cabin is solid, as is side and forward visibility thanks to a low-slung dashboard and instrument cluster.

Everything has a familiar, Mazda layout which is both ergonomic with nice, soft touch points for those frequented elbow spots while a design that is clean and particularly well executed.

The dashboard, for example, features a nice flowing design that is completely free of clutter but still easy to control the climate settings via some switchgear and the media controls via Mazda’s rotary dial.

While it’s not for everyone, we appreciate the fact that Mazda’s rotating control dial allows for your eyes to be on the road and doesn’t force you to stretch out while changing your tunes like a touchscreen. 

In terms of storage, the CX-30 covers the bases but doesn’t lead the segment.

There’s a tray and cupholders hiding behind the gear lever, added storage inside the split-fold centre armrest, a decent-sized glovebox and bottle holders inside the door sills.

Move to the rear and you’ll be pleased to find that the CX-30 can pretty confidently accommodate adults in the rear.

Headroom is healthy for the segment and while taller rear passengers may have their knees up against a tall driver’s seatback, it’s by no means cramped and actually quite spacious for the compact SUV class.

Amenities in the rear of the CX-30 include a folding armrest with cupholders, bottle holders inside the doors and air vents, though no extra USBs back here, unfortunately.

For the parents out there, the CX-30 is packaged with a pair of ISOFIX anchors on each of the outboard seats while three top tether mounts remain in place behind the seats.

How Big is the Mazda CX-30’s Boot?

Boot space is one of the biggest casualties of the small SUV segment and in this respect, the CX-30 is not immune from some practical compromises.

With the rear seats standing, the CX-30’s boot measures a compact 317L which means it’s somewhere in the middle of the pile when it comes to cargo capacity.

Fold the 60:40 split rear seats down and you’ll unlock enough space for bulky items when needed, though Mazda doesn’t give an official figure for maximum boot space.

The CX-30’s boot receives some under-floor storage as well as some cargo hooks to secure loose items.

Is the Mazda CX-30 Safe?

Mazda is pretty generous when it comes to safety equipment in the CX-30 range, though some features are reserved for more expensive variants.

As standard, the entry-level CX-30 comes packaged with forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as rear cross-traffic alerts.

Buyers also pick up blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist with lane departure alerts, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

If you’re after some front parking sensors, you’ll need to upgrade to the CX-30 Touring range.

The CX-30 Touring and Astina come packaged with front cross-traffic alerts, a surround-view monitor, driver monitoring and Mazda’s Cruising & Traffic support system.

Does the Mazda CX-30 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Mazda CX-30 has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating after it scored the following marks in 2019.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 99%

• Child Occupant Protection: 88%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 80%

• Safety Assist: 76%

Keep in mind that the CX-30’s current ANCAP safety rating is set to expire in December, 2025.

What Warranty Does the Mazda CX-30 Come With?

Mazda offers the CX-30 range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, as well as capped-price servicing for five years.

Servicing costs for the CX-30 G20 stand at a total of $2,173 which drops to $2,168 for both the CX-30 G25 FWD and the all-wheel drive range-topper.

G20 Five-Year Servicing Costs: $2,173
G25 Five-Year Servicing Costs: $2,168

Service intervals for the CX-30 range are set at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres.

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda CX-30 Worth it?

The Mazda CX-30 is a great little SUV package if you’re looking for a more premium and spacious take on the conventional recipe.

While more premium variants certainly don’t come cheap, the great news is that the CX-30 in even entry-level Pure & Evolve trim both confidently tick all the boxes small SUV buyers are looking for.

While it doesn’t have a fire-breathing engine, Mazda has given the CX-30 a fun-loving nature thanks to an agile handling package that makes it a great compact SUV for the city.

Better yet, Mazda’s class-leading interiors are still some of the best in the segment while healthy front and rear accommodation make it a pretty practical little package.

As a result, we can’t help but encourage you to add the Mazda CX-30 to your shortlist if you’re hunting down your best small SUV options.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Mazda CX-30 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Two engines on offer with both front & all-wheel drive formats

3. 6.3 - 6.8L per 100km fuel economy figures

4. 317L boot space

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating (expires December 2025)