2025 Mazda CX-30 review | CarExpert

Within the small SUV world, Mazda continues to be a key participant.

The CX-30 is its main candidate in opposition to the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross and Subaru Crosstrek, alongside which it continues to publish respectable gross sales figures – even when all are lagging behind the MG ZS.

To the tip of October this yr, 10,803 CX-30s have been delivered in Australia, in comparison with the Crosstrek’s 9772 and the Corolla Cross’ 7459. So though it’s a lot much less in style than the top-selling ZS (18,668), the CX-30 stays probably the most convincing propositions in Mazda’s lineup, and the small SUV class.

It’s preferrred for younger households who must make the bounce to a compact SUV, and on the similar time it’s a sensible alternative for a primary automotive. Its gross sales figures throughout the Mazda lineup replicate that too, because it at present sits third behind the bigger CX-5 and smaller CX-3 SUVs.

Whereas the cheaper variants could current the most effective worth within the CX-30 vary, there’s lots to be loved by shifting additional up the ranks and in the direction of the $40,000 mark.

One such candidate is the car on check right here: the 2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring LE.

It’s the second-most costly CX-30 fitted with a 2.0-litre engine, whereas nonetheless being costlier than probably the most comparable 2.5-litre choice.

Inside, you get tasty goodies like uniquely colored upholstery, and also you profit from Mazda hallmarks like a top quality infotainment system and spot-on ergonomics.

Is it price spending slightly bit extra for a higher-end 2.0-litre CX-30, or must you bounce to the larger-displacement various as a substitute?

How does the Mazda CX-30 examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Mazda CX-30 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

Mazda

CX-30

How a lot does the Mazda CX-30 price?

The Touring LE sits proper in the midst of Mazda’s CX-30 lineup. It carries a $2300 premium over the usual 2.0-litre Touring, and prices $800 greater than the two.5-litre Touring.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s the Mazda CX-30 like on the within?

Very usually Mazda. That’s factor although, as a result of it means it’s very simple to hop in and shortly get comfortably located should you’re a first-time CX-30 driver.

A novel characteristic of the Touring LE is its black suede and ‘terracotta’ upholstery – or brown to you and me. It’s one thing a bit totally different for a automotive like this, and it does wonders to distinguish this mannequin from the remainder of the vary.

The supplies are high-quality too, whereas the seats are comfy to sit down in throughout lengthy drives. That consolation is bolstered by the CX-30’s sensible ergonomics – one thing Mazda has efficiently dialled in over the previous few years.

The seating place is especially satisfying, as a result of the excessive window creates a closed-in feeling that makes you’re feeling considerably cocooned within the automotive. That’s once more typical of Mazda, as an analogous feeling could be discovered within the carefully associated Mazda 3.

Adjustment is straightforward too, as a result of the Touring LE advantages from a 10-way powered driver’s seat. It’d take a second to get every little thing the place you prefer it, however all method of drivers can be simply accounted for.

When it comes to tech, some is probably not happy to search out the CX-30 as soon as once more has a dial on the centre console that’s used to manage the infotainment system up high.

However I’m a fan of this setup; there’s one thing satisfying about with the ability to lean again and scroll by the assorted menus with out having to lean ahead and out of your seat.

It’s significantly helpful in a automotive just like the CX-30, as a result of the positioning of the 8.8-inch infotainment system is considerably awkward. As is now customary, it’s situated in a perch atop the dashboard, nevertheless it appears to be sunken deeper into the sprint than it’s in fashions just like the Mazda 3.

Which means in case your seating place is low, a part of the display screen’s bottom-right nook can be lower off by the steering wheel. Equally, it’s fairly a attain to control controls located on the far left of the display screen.

Not less than this display screen could be operated by contact whereas on the transfer, one thing that isn’t at all times the case in Mazda automobiles. Once more that isn’t crucial, as one other advantage of the central dials is that issues like quantity could be simply managed by passengers within the entrance.

There aren’t every other bodily buttons to manage the infotainment system past these on the steering wheel both, so until you could have arms lengthy sufficient to make the touchscreen comfy the central dial is your solely actual choice.

That’s superb should you’re primarily utilizing Mazda’s native software program interface, nevertheless it turns into moderately clunky when utilizing (wi-fi) Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 4 shortcuts across the giant dial all work reliably when utilizing smartphone mirroring, which is helpful for switching between apps like maps and music.

In any case, the entrance of the CX-30 is a sensible, simple place to spend time, helped by the actual fact there are minimal bells and whistles to muddle issues up.

Nowhere is that extra obvious than the instrument cluster, which contains a round dial display screen flanked by two analogue gauges. The central display screen could be adjusted to point out a handful of various shows, although we really feel the usual digital speedo is the cleanest whereas nonetheless exhibiting an acceptable quantity of data.

The local weather management system under the infotainment show is one other customary Mazda unit, however as a result of the Touring LE isn’t a top-spec variant, there are a good few button blanks the place controls for capabilities like seat heating would usually be positioned.

It’s nonetheless a top quality unit although, and the collection of buttons you do get are simple to determine and function. It might take a second to completely familiarize yourself with the system, however all inputs present suggestions utilizing both the small show above, or lights to point out you what you’ve adjusted.

The opposite buttons within the cabin could be discovered on the steering wheel – for infotainment and driver help controls – and to the appropriate of the steering wheel, the place you may view the assorted cameras or toggle the idle cease/begin system.

Once more it’s all clearly legible, which is strictly what you’d need from a automotive like this. The one actual gripe is using gloss black plastic, in addition to the dust-attracting black suede on the dashboard.

One other power is storage up entrance. There’s a sizeable field below the central armrest, and forward of the mechanical gear selector are two properly positioned cupholders – with simply sufficient room above to suit a tall drink bottle.

There’s a passenger-side glovebox and bottle holders in every door, the latter of which isn’t fairly giant sufficient for that aforementioned drink bottle. On the ceiling is a sun shades holder, which helps to maintain gadgets neatly out of sight and out of thoughts.

Forward of the 2 cupholders is a wi-fi cellphone charging pad, which once more is appropriately sized to suit most telephones or free gadgets.

The second row is a comparatively sparse affair. There aren’t any facilities past the rear-facing air vents on the again of the centre console, which implies rear seat passengers might want to ask kindly to make use of the USB-C ports inside that centre console.

The brown and black upholstery continues again right here, however the phantasm of luxurious is considerably disturbed by the gray headliner above. It’s not a dealbreaker, however a black various (like what you’d discover in a Mazda 3) would have added that little one thing further.

Within the center is a fold-down armrest with two cupholders, and there are once more small-ish bottle holders in each doorways. Moreover, there’s a map pocket to utilize – however solely on the passenger facet.

It’s not at all uncomfortable – merely simply barebones. At this worth level we’d anticipate a few USB ports again right here, however at the very least there’s loads of house to stretch out behind a mean entrance seating place.

The CX-30’s boot is surprisingly sensible. It might not look like there’s plenty of house on account of that sturdy detachable cargo cowl, however the lengthy ground creates loads of house for transporting bigger gadgets.

There’s a appreciable lip to beat when loading issues up and in, however the ground is fully flat and straightforward to work with. The one cut-outs could be discovered on the rearmost corners, that are shallow however completely sized for no matter odds and ends you might have.

Extra vertical house is misplaced the nearer you get to the rear seats, as a result of there’s a reasonably aggressive incline meaning there can be some wasted house on the ground behind taller gadgets.

For context, quoted boot house is smaller than rivals just like the Toyota C-HR (388L) and the incoming MG ZS Hybrid+ (443L), although it’s bigger than the Subaru Crosstrek (291L).

For added practicality you may at the very least fold down the rear seats, which characteristic a 60/40 break up however don’t have a most quantity determine. There’s no passthrough within the center, which implies you’ll lose at the very least one outboard seat if you want to cram in significantly prolonged gadgets.

Underneath the ground is an area saver spare wheel. Luckily, it doesn’t eat into cargo capability in any significant means, and also you get some safety within the occasion of a flat tyre as a substitute of getting to depend on a fiddly restore equipment.

There are cargo hooks ought to you want to tie down your load, in addition to a handful of ISOFIX little one seat factors and top-tether anchors.

The CX-30’s power is simplicity, and every little thing inside provides nearly as a lot as you want when it comes to consolation and comfort with out being too flashy or over-the-top.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s below the bonnet?

The Touring LE is solely obtainable with the ‘G20’ 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, with energy despatched to the entrance wheels.

Our week with the automotive was dominated by freeway driving at 80km/h and above, although there have been temporary stints in Melbourne’s CBD, regional cities, and dust roads.

Even so, our recorded gas financial system was worse than Mazda’s declare, however not by sufficient to attract any main complaints.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

How does the Mazda CX-30 drive?

There’s an actual meat-and-potatoes really feel in regards to the CX-30, which does the entire fundamentals properly, and that features the driving expertise.

It’ll stand up to hurry with out an excessive amount of concern, hum alongside fortunately on the freeway, and iron out majority of the smaller imperfections on the street. It’s all simply as you’d anticipate for a small SUV just like the CX-30, however that doesn’t imply it couldn’t be improved.

The two.0-litre engine on this automotive is ok, nevertheless it does really feel a bit strained. In comparison with the Mazda 3, which shares the identical platform and is obtainable with the identical two engines, on this software the G20 feels a contact weak.

Within the Mazda 3, the two.0-litre engine provides robust baseline efficiency and appears like an acceptable beginning floor for such a automotive, whereas the two.5-litre various is a quicker improve, bringing warm-ish efficiency.

In distinction, within the CX-30 it looks like the G25 needs to be the minimal when it comes to driveability and efficiency, as a result of the G20 doesn’t really feel significantly quick and makes fairly the racket when accelerating.

On high of that, the six-speed auto can typically stumble from a standstill or if you’re getting on or off the throttle. None of these components are essentially dealbreakers, however they do uninteresting the CX-30’s in any other case sharp efficiency.

The automotive’s on-road dynamics are dealt with in a satisfyingly constant method, which implies there’s unlikely to be something that may catch you off guard.

Trip high quality isn’t excellent, nevertheless it’s not anticipated to be for a automotive at this worth level. Extended stints on tough rural roads will reveal these flaws, and whereas it’s easy sufficient in such conditions we’d cease wanting calling it plush.

Certainly, one in every of our largest on-road criticisms is the trip, which we discover to be considerably harsh and bouncy.

This isn’t a high-end, costly SUV, which makes it a bit simpler to excuse such shortcomings than it’s with any of Mazda’s giant SUVs like, for instance, the CX-60.

And it’s one of many solely facets of the automotive that will shock you behind the wheel. For those who’re going to be doing plenty of driving on rural roads, you’d higher be ready for trip high quality that isn’t fairly as comfy because it maybe needs to be.

After all, the upside of the agency trip is sportier than common dealing with, which is clearly what Mazda has prioritised right here, as a result of the CX-30 excels in eventualities like well-surfaced windy backroads and tight metropolis streets, which is its extra possible surroundings and the place it’s extremely manoeuvrable and appropriately comfy because of the decrease speeds.

To its credit score, the CX-30 additionally shines on lengthy stretches of freeway. Naturally, such roads are typically smoother and customarily extra light on the automotive, which implies you actually do discover how properly Mazda has been capable of hold street noise down.

At 110km/h there’s no wind noise to be heard, and there’s a powerful stage of refinement. What’s higher is that if you’re cruising at freeway speeds, you’d be arduous pressed to note what’s happening below the bonnet.

The high-speed shortcomings of the G20 in comparison with the G25 seem if you encounter a hill, because it’ll must drop down a gear or two to make up for its torque deficit. Overtaking slower automobiles can be not as simple because it may very well be for a similar motive.

Nonetheless, in lower-speed driving by built-up areas, the CX-30 stays robust. Its constant, properly weighted steering really feel makes it simple to navigate tight turns, whereas tools like a surround-view monitor helps when squeezing into parking areas.

Equally, visibility out of the CX-30 is surprisingly good. Although the facet home windows are fairly slender, they don’t affect head checks and the facet mirrors present sufficient visible vary to have the ability to comfortably see what’s happening exterior.

On that observe although, Mazda has fitted a ‘zoomed-in’ mirror on the driving force’s facet solely, which generally is a little disorienting at first.

As a result of the passenger facet mirror seems to be extra regular, the distinction between the 2 takes time to get used to. The zoomed-in nature additionally means it’s tougher to see what’s instantly alongside.

The suite of security tech helps to counter this abnormality. The blind-spot monitoring works reliably to maintain you from operating somebody off the street, and the lane help operate steers the car faithfully again should you drift to both facet.

Lengthy drives are additionally made simple due to adaptive cruise management and the related lane-centring operate.

You possibly can comfortably depend on the system to remain in your lane and keep a cushty velocity, although be mindful you’ll need to take management if you wish to cross somebody on the freeway.

The system is on the delicate facet when it comes to reacting to visitors forward, which implies it takes a second for it to get again on top of things if the automotive in entrance is sluggish.

Regardless, there have been no main hiccups with any of the security methods throughout our week with the automotive, and even in inclement climate they had been capable of hold tabs on the street forward and appropriately react to surrounding visitors.

Merely put, that is an exceptionally simple automotive to drive, nevertheless it’ll by no means do something significantly extraordinary or surprising. It’s constructed to serve a objective, and it serves that objective properly.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

The Touring LE sits in the midst of the CX-30 vary price-wise, and it’s the second-highest specification of two.0-litre variant under the Astina.

CX-30 G20 Pure highlights:

• Mazda Linked Providers
  • Car locator
  • Geofencing
  • Flashing lights characteristic
  • Curfew notifications
  • Distant locking
  • Car well being
  • Standing experiences
  • Stolen car monitoring help
• 16-inch gray alloy wheels
• House-saver spare wheel
• Automated LED headlights
• Automated high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Automated power-folding facet mirrors
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 8.8-inch infotainment system
• Head-up show
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 2x USB-C ports (replaces USB-A)
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Eight-speaker sound system
• Push-button begin
• Leather-based-wrapped shifter
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Cloth upholstery

CX-30 G20 Evolve provides:

• 18-inch silver alloy wheels
• Paddle shifters
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Overhead sunglass storage
• Rear fold-down centre armrest

CX-30 G20 Touring provides:

• Entrance parking sensors
• Auto-dimming driver’s facet mirror
• Reverse tilt-down driver’s facet mirror
• Aspect mirror reminiscence
• Keyless entry
• Illuminated entrance self-importance mirrors
• Black leather-based upholstery
• 10-way energy driver’s seat
• Two-position driver’s seat reminiscence

CX-30 G20 Touring LE provides:

• Black 18-inch alloy wheels
• Black grille
• Signature spoiler
• Black mirror caps
• Terracotta ‘Maztex’ and suede upholstery
• Terracotta armrest, centre console, door card and dashboard distinction stitching
• Imaginative and prescient Expertise Package deal
  • Entrance cross-traffic alert
  • Cruising & Site visitors Help
  • Driver monitoring system
  • Encompass-view monitor
  • 10.25-inch infotainment system

Is the Mazda CX-30 secure?

The Mazda CX-30 obtained a five-star ANCAP security score again in 2019.

Commonplace CX-30 security options embody:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bicycle owner detection
• Rear AEB
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep help
• Lane departure warning
• Driver consideration alert
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing digicam
• Tyre stress monitoring

CX-30 G20 and G25 Touring add:

CX-30 Touring LE and G20 and G25 Astina add:

• Entrance cross-traffic alert
• Cruising & Site visitors Help
• Driver monitoring system
• Encompass-view monitor

How a lot does the Mazda CX-30 price to run?

The CX-30 vary is roofed by Mazda’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee and 5 years of roadside help. Servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring LE

It is a strong automotive; no-nonsense, simple to dwell with, and comfy.

The CX-30 is already a robust platform, and the Touring LE’s additions add a bit of additional spice to an in any other case straight-to-the-point recipe.

Its black and terracotta seat trim particularly is a pleasant contact, and when you gained’t essentially discover it on the street, you’ll admire the exceptionally comfy seats, and the standard upholstery shouldn’t prematurely put on out over time.

The identical could be mentioned for the remainder of the cabin too; the tech is all crisp and dependable, every little thing is ergonomically situated, and Mazda’s top-notch construct high quality shines by with no creaks or rattles to talk of.

Practicality is powerful too, with usable cupholders and loads of storage choices. The one factor missing are back-seat facilities, however you can simply dwell with that should you had been coming from an older automotive.

Certainly our solely actual complaints are on-road, the place it’s considerably underpowered and bouncy. The two.5-litre engine is rather more preferable over the two.0-litre within the Touring LE, nevertheless it nonetheless will get the job accomplished with ease should you can’t stretch to the G25 powertrain.

Given its supposed objective, the CX-30’s suspension setup may very well be extra compliant. Damper tuning that may extra comfortably deal with a broader spectrum of street situations would make for a way more full package deal.

Nonetheless, the CX-30 fulfils its goal function properly, and as a small SUV with loads of usable cupboard space within the again, it’ll simply deal with no matter younger households can throw at it.

The lower-spec variations could also be cheaper, however there are many causes to present the Touring LE a double-take if you’d like a CX-30 that feels a bit extra upmarket.

Eager about shopping for a Mazda CX-30? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers here

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