Review - 2023 Mazda CX-30

For the latest model year, Mazda has beefed up the CX-30 ranks with no less than fourteen choices of variants, split across five trim levels, with four choices of engines that include a pair of hybrids, and some all-wheel-drive range-toppers.

Just how well does the CX-30 stack up against its fierce competition in the world of compact SUVs? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

Mazda CX-30 Competition

Starting Price: $30,610

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How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the Mazda CX-30 range kick off from $30,610 for the entry-level G20 Pure manual and $31,610 for the G20 Pure automatic, rising up to $33,310 for the G20 Evolve and up to $37,060 for the G20e Evolve M Hybrid.

From here, the range moves up to the CX-30 G20 Touring which is priced at $37,210, while the G25 Touring is priced at $38,710, the G20 Touring SP is priced at $39,010, and the G25 Touring SP at $40,510.

Stepping up to the G25 Touring AWD brings the price up to $40,710, while the G20 Astina is priced at $42,210, the G25 Touring SP AWD is priced at $42,510 and the G25 Astina FWD is priced at $43,710.

Finally, the range-topping CX-30 G25 Astina AWD is priced at $45,710 while the X20 Astina AWD Hybrid is priced at $48,710.

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

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Mazda CX-30 - G20 PURE (FWD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Mazda CX-30 car page.

What Features 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, keyless start, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped gear lever and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster and an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto which is paired with an eight-speaker sound system.

Stepping up to the CX-30 Evolve range adds a set of 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, paddle shifters and a centre armrest in the second row of the cabin.

The G20e Evolve M Hybrid picks up keyless entry, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a surround-view camera with front-mounted parking sensors and some added safety equipment.

Mazda’s CX-30 Touring receives leather upholstery, and front-mounted parking sensors, while the Touring SP picks up burgundy leather, 18-inch alloys and black mirror caps, and a surround-view camera and safety equipment upgrade.

Stepping up to the range-topping CX-30 Astina adds a set of adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats & steering wheel, a powered tailgate, frameless rear-view mirror and an upgraded 12-speaker Bose sound system.

Range Features:

• 16-inch alloys

• Automatic LED headlights

• Cloth upholstery with leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever

• Adaptive cruise control

• Rear-view camera with rear parking sensors

• 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• 18-inch alloys (Evolve)

• Surround-view camera with front-mounted parking sensors (G20e M Hybrid)

• Leather upholstery (Touring)

• Adaptive LED headlights (Astina)

• Panoramic sunroof (Astina)

• Heated front seats & steering wheel (Astina)

• 12-speaker Bose sound system (Astina)

Is the Mazda CX-30 Comfortable to Drive?

These days, a key selling point for any compact SUV is just how easy it is to drive on a day’s worth of running around town and shuffling through car parks.

In this respect, the CX-30 performs fabulously thanks to its short wheelbase platform and nimble handling that makes light work of the urban jungle.

Thanks to its lightweight steering, the CX-30 is a breeze to navigate in tight spots, while the compact turning circle means you can get out of trouble with an easy three-point turn.

The only real area that the CX-30 falls short is when you’re pushing the base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which can feel pretty under-gunned when you’re loaded up with passengers and meet a steady incline.

“The base engine gets the job done but quickly runs out of puff when pushed, with the overall package proving a perfect city runaround.”

For reference, power outputs from Mazda’s G20e hybrid remain the same as the G20 four-cylinder at 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque, with both picking up a six-speed automatic transmission that powers the front wheels.

This makes stepping up to Mazda’s more powerful 2.5-litre four-cylinder that pushes out 139kW of power and 252Nm a better option for anyone looking for some more impressive acceleration figures, while the range-topping X20 hybrid offers even more power.

All up, though, the CX-30 is a fantastic little SUV that feels rock-solid around town and makes for a reasonably comfortable long-distance tourer on even rougher Australian B-roads.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

With four different engines on offer, fuel economy figures for the Mazda CX-30 range depend on which engine you’re opting for - with the hybrid range offering some decent fuel savings, but perhaps not as much as you’d expect.

Mazda’s entry-level G20 returns fuel efficiency scores of 6.5L/100km on a combined cycle, while the G20e hybrid returns fuel economy figures of 6.3L/100km.

Stepping up to the G25 front-wheel drive brings fuel economy figures up to 6.6L/100km, while the G25 AWD is rated at 6.8L/100km, and the range-topping X20 returns fuel economy figures of 6.0L/100km.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Mazda has done a great job in making the CX-30 cabin approachable for couples and young families, though ultimately, the size of the platform may prove restrictive for some buyers.

That said, Mazda continues to lead the pack when it comes to the high quality of its interiors, which benefit from a clever and stylish design with a handful of practical touches that help utilise most of the space inside the cabin.

Up front, the driver and passenger pick up cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever in the base model, with higher-spec variants receiving leather upholstery in a choice of colours.

There’s no issues for headroom, even for tall drivers, in the pilot’s seat, while the driving position is fully-adjustable, with the added bonus of power adjustment in higher-spec members of the CX-30 family.

“Passenger space and comfort in the rear of the CX-30 is limited by the platform, but the quality of its interior design remains one of the best in the small SUV segment.”

A particularly strong point of the CX-30 is the quality of Mazda’s interior designs, which very much lead the pack when it comes to simplicity and style.

Move to the rear of the cabin and there’s a decent amount of room on offer, though tall large passengers will begin to feel a little cramped on long journeys, but this is common for most, if not all small SUV packages.

The second row picks up a set of air vents, a folding armrest and 60:40 split-folding seats, as well as ISOFIX anchors on each of the outside seats.

Boot space figures for the CX-30 range stand at 317L without the underfloor storage, which brings the total to 430L when in use, making for a reasonably practical small SUV package that matches its key rivals in terms of practicality.

Is it Safe?

The Mazda CX-30 range has picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 99% for adult protection, 88% for child protection, 80% for pedestrian protection and 76% for safety assist.

As standard, the base CX-30 receives forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and seven airbags.

Stepping up to higher-ranked members of the CX-30 family adds a surround-view camera, cruising and traffic jam assistance, driver monitoring, front cross-traffic alerts and a set of front-mounted parking sensors.

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

So long as you’re aware of the practical limitations of small SUVs like the Mazda CX-30, the package remains one of the best in its class when it comes to driving simplicity and a quality interior, and is well deserving of a podium spot for the segment.

While the base engine might not get the heart thumping, the overall value proposition on offer in the entry-level CX-30 is attractive, while there’s a heap of choices in the range for those looking for more power, or better fuel economy figures.

Don’t forget that if you’re in the market for a new car, our team of automotive specialists can help find you the perfect package at the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 12-month/10,000km service intervals

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

4. 317L boot space expands to 430L with underfloor storage

5. Fuel economy figures between 6.0L (X20 Hybrid) and 6.8L/100km (G25 AWD)