A seriously affordable path to all-wheel drive, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 delivers an upscale interior and compelling driving dynamics. Pricing starts at $22,950.<\/p>\n
Mazda The 2023 Mazda CX-30 starts at $22,950 for the base\u00a02.5 S\u00a0trim. For such a small vehicle, the CX-30 offers a lot of trim levels \u2014 seven, to be precise. We think the\u00a02.5 S Select\u00a0trim is the best value. Providing a load of standard features, it still prices out around $25,000. However, more of you prefer the\u00a0best-selling\u00a02.5 S Premium\u00a0grade.<\/p>\n With a wide range of trims available, they\u2019re worth\u00a0comparing side-by-side\u00a0for the discerning SUV shopper.<\/p>\n The listed competitors all price out within $1,500 or so of one another, with the pricier\u00a0HR-V\u00a0($23,650) at the top end and the CX-30 at the bottom. If you have your heart set on a Mazda but want something a little bigger, the\u00a0AWD CX-5\u00a0should do the trick at $26,700.<\/p>\n These are the manufacturer\u2019s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and don\u2019t include the $1,275 factory-to-dealer delivery fee.<\/p>\n Before buying a CX-30, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The CX-30\u2019s resale value is about typical for smaller SUVs. Of our listed competitors, the HR-V tends to retain its value the best, but not by much.<\/p>\n Also see:<\/strong> The stylish 2023 Mazda3: one of the most enjoyable cars in its class, and starts at just $22,550<\/p>\n Mazda adds\u00a0a little more zip\u00a0to the\u00a0CX-30\u2019s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, as well as squeezes out a little more fuel economy, making it more efficient overall. We give a big nod to Mazda for continuing to tinker with what was already a well-rounded engine. Otherwise, there\u2019s not much happening with this diminutive crossover in the middle of its current generational lifecycle.<\/p>\n Also read:<\/strong> In a tough car market, more Americans are turning toward this Goldilocks option<\/p>\n Small crossovers aren\u2019t the first, second, or even third choice for people who really like driving. Unless it\u2019s a\u00a0Mazda CX-30.<\/p>\n The same flow, feel, fun, and fleetness that comes in other Mazda vehicles are all here in the CX-30. We believe anything better than this probably has a BMW It\u2019s not a niche vehicle, however. The 2023 CX-30 is easy to drive and live with, capable of handling all the usual everyday duties with a comfortable efficiency. If we had to think of a gripe, we would have preferred it if Mazda offered rear parking sensors in a few other trims, not just the top version.<\/p>\n Many mainstream manufacturers are upping their interior design game, making their cabins look good enough for a premium marque. Mazda has long been ahead of this particular curve and consolidated its position with the CX-30.<\/p>\n High-quality materials are arranged expertly into a\u00a0simple yet pleasing layout, topped off with an 8.8-inch infotainment display that\u2019s among the largest in this class. In the\u00a0top Premium Plus trim, the interior quality rivals some luxury SUVs, and the\u00a0S Carbon Edition\u00a0comes with unique red leather seats.<\/p>\n This is smaller than a compact crossover like the Mazda CX-5 or\u00a0Honda CR-V, so space is naturally not so plentiful. But adults will enjoy plenty of room up front, and 36.3 inches of rear legroom is about average, although the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V have more.<\/p>\n Where the CX-30 does dip a bit below average is in its cargo capacity. The Seltos, HR-V, and Trailblazer all have measurably more luggage space with the rear seat folded or in place.<\/p>\n Plus:<\/strong> The new 2023 Honda CR-V aims to excel in a multitude of ways. Mission accomplished.<\/p>\n We like that the CX-30 follows the same exterior design approach as the rest of the company\u2019s SUVs\/crossovers. That\u2019s fine by us. When a core design works this well, why change the classy lines, sleek surfaces, and elegant proportions just for the sake of it?<\/p>\n Replacing the 16-inch wheels on the 2.5 S for 18-inch ones is another reason we suggest moving up to the 2.5 S Select.<\/p>\n Ergonomics<\/strong> Driving dynamics<\/strong> All-wheel drive<\/strong> Bundle of driver aids<\/strong> Rain-sensing wipers<\/strong> Proximity Keyless Entry<\/strong> What makes most\u00a02023 Mazda CX-30\u00a0models \u2014 those with 2.5 S in their name \u2014 go is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It makes 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque fed to all the wheels by a 6-speed automatic transmission. These performance numbers are significantly more than for the base Seltos, HR-V, or Trailblazer. For example, the Trailblazer\u2019s 3-cylinder engine delivers 137 horsepower.<\/p>\n In our time with the 2.5 S four-banger, we found it more than sufficient to get the CX-30 not just moving, but moving with enough gusto to make things fun. However, there are those of us who always demand more, right?<\/p>\n To fill that need, Mazda also provides a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter engine. It populates the two CX-30 models with \u201cTurbo\u201d replacing the \u201cS\u201d in their nameplates. It generates 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium gasoline. If you save a few pennies per gallon at the pump by using regular fuel, the performance numbers drop to 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This still makes for a wild ride in the small CX-30.<\/p>\n
\n MZDAY,
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\n anchors its stable of crossovers with the subcompact CX-30. Yes, it\u2019s small, but it\u2019s about average size among rivals like the\u00a0Kia Seltos
\n 000270,
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\n \u00a0Chevy Trailblazer, and the somewhat bigger Honda HR-V
\n HMC,
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\n It\u2019s roughly the same price, too. However, the CX-30 comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). We like it for its well-crafted cabin and fuel-stingy 4-cylinder engines.<\/p>\n2023 Mazda CX-30 pricing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n \n 2023 Mazda CX-30<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n MSRP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n CX-30 2.5 S<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $22,950<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n CX-30 2.5 S Select<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $25,250<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n CX-30 2.5 S Preferred<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $28,220<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n CX-30 2.5 S Carbon Edition<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $29,290<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n CX-30 2.5 S Premium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $31,500<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $33,800<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $35,400<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n What\u2019s new?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Driving the 2023 Mazda CX-30<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n BMW,
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\n badge and a price to match. The steering is outrageously responsive, and the suspension is tuned like a Stradivarius. We\u2019re convinced that Mazda had Tennessee\u2019s twisting Tail of the Dragon road in mind when it engineered this spirited little crossover.<\/p>\nPremium interior<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Striking and familiar design<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Our favorite features and tech<\/strong><\/h2>\n
This relates to the way all the controls connect with the driver, along with things like seats designed to optimize correct posture and combat fatigue. Mazda has clearly put some of its finest minds to work in this area. There are details like how the navigation information is located, or an amber light indicating when the wipers are in their Auto setting. Yet they all merge into a general feeling of things being just right.<\/p>\n
This is the CX-30\u2019s superpower, what makes it different from the ho-hum competition. It\u2019s responsive and enjoyable, especially when the turbo engine is in residence. The fun is accessible, yet the CX-30 remains a sensible crossover.<\/p>\n
Every CX-30 comes with AWD. A transparent system, it can move engine torque from axle to axle and wheel to wheel, optimizing traction and power delivery.<\/p>\n
Every CX-30 comes with a suite of safety and driver-aid technologies like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.<\/p>\n
Standard across the board, this system senses moisture on the windshield and automatically engages the wipers. The wiper speed adjusts according to the volume of the rain.<\/p>\n
One of our must-have features, this is on the Select and all upper trims. The doors automatically unlock if the key fob is on your person. Push-button start is standard on all trim levels.<\/p>\nEngine and transmission<\/strong><\/h2>\n