The subcompact SUV segment is filled with options; some are better than others. For those considering the 2023 Mazda CX-30, I’ve got good news. Not only is the CX-30 competent, affordable, and safe, it is more fun than you might think. After spending a week with the Mazda CX-30, here are some of my thoughts on the crossover SUV. I was pretty excited to test out this small sport utility vehicle, and after all was said and done, I’m pretty pleased with the brand’s entire lineup.
Here’s what the 2023 Mazda CX-30 gets right
Mazda has a pretty solid lineup, with enough SUVs to give shoppers plenty of options. The 2023 CX-30 is the smallest SUV available, beneath the CX-5, CX-50, and CX-90. I found that the subcompact SUV is tiny but mighty, offering a lot of value in a small package.
The CX-30 is actually very fun to drive and feels solid on the road. Mazda emphasized safety with all of its models, and I found the systems worked well without being too much. Since I drove the CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim level, it had all the possible systems. My favorite system is Road Sign Assist, but more on that later.
Inside the subcompact SUV, the cabin is small but still relatively spacious. I was able to fit a bunch of camera gear, a small ladder, and all of my other filming equipment in the back. The power tailgate is a nice addition, too.
Is the Mazda CX-30 a good value?
I think it is a good value with a starting price of $22,950 for the 2023 Mazda CX-30. The base trim levels include 191 horsepower, all-wheel drive, an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, and Apple CarPlay. It also gets automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, which add value.
I drove the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus Package, which also gets all-wheel drive but gets a power bump to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with the upgraded engine (using 93 octane). If you don’t feel like putting 93 in, using 87 octane gas nets you 227 hp and 310 pound-ft of torque, which is still plenty. I enjoyed the upgraded turbo engine, but this only comes on the top trim level. One of the 2.5 S trims will get the job done if you are more budget-conscious.
| 2023 Mazda CX-30 Trim | MSRP | Horsepower and Torque |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 S | $22,950 | 191 hp; 186 lb-ft |
| 2.5 S Select | $25,400 | 191 hp; 186 lb-ft |
| 2.5 S Preferred | $28,220 | 191 hp; 186 lb-ft |
| 2.5 S Carbon Edition | $29,290 | 191 hp; 186 lb-ft |
| 2.5 S Premium | $31,060 | 191 hp; 186 lb-ft |
| 2.5 Turbo Premium | $33,800 | 227 hp; 310 lb-ft (87 octane gas) 250 hp; 320 lb-ft (93 octane gas) |
| 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus | $35,400 | 227 hp; 310 lb-ft (87 octane gas) 250 hp; 320 lb-ft (93 octane gas) |
One of the premium features that I really enjoyed on the CX-30 is the surround-view parking camera system. This allows you to see all the way around the SUV and makes parking easier. Reverse automatic emergency braking and front and rear parking sensors were also helpful additions that I would probably miss on a lower trim level. The rear parking sensors alerted me when someone backed up rapidly from a Target parking spot, which is always a potential hazard.
How does the CX-30 drive?
After driving the bigger SUVs in Mazda’s lineup this year, I had high hopes for the CX-30. It did not disappoint! The 250 horsepower and turbo engine really made a difference, and the CX-30 was quicker than anticipated. Mazda’s small SUV was comfortable and easy to drive. All of the systems and sign information appeared on the dashboard without issue. This test vehicle also had a Head-Up Display that showed the speed.
I didn’t expect the CX-30 to be as fun as it was, but I should have. I thoroughly enjoyed the CX-90 and the CX-50, so this version is a similar driving situation in a smaller body. The steering felt solid, and it was pretty nimble on the road.
I did take it on some dirt roads to see how the all-wheel drive felt. It performed well enough, but I imagine it would fare better in snow. There is only one driving mode on the CX-30: Sport. It makes the SUV a little faster under acceleration and is helpful for getting up to speed on the highway.
How safe is the 2023 CX-30?
Mazda included many standard safety features across the board for the CS-30. Features like Blind-Spot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, and Lane Departure Warning are also standard on all trim levels. Advanced dual-front airbags, side-impact airbags, side-impact curtains, as well as a rearview camera.
The 2023 Mazda CX-30 earned this year’s IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It performed well on the main crashworthiness tests and protected the passengers and occupants. The headlights, front crash prevention, and seat belts also earned high marks.
Is the Mazda CX-30 spacious enough?
Most people know what they are getting into with a subcompact SUV, but I actually thought the 2023 CX-30 was more spacious than expected. Thanks to the power-adjustable driver’s seat, the driving position was comfortable. The passenger seat slid back and forth with ease, which was helpful for getting people in and out of the back seat.
Taking a press vehicle out in the wild requires a lot of camera bags and video gear. I didn’t think the cargo area could store everything simultaneously, but it did! With 20.2 cubic feet with the seats up and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, the small SUV has enough space for most situations. If you plan on carrying a lot of gear around regularly for work or your personal life, you might consider testing the cargo area. It is smaller than some competition offers, but it was not a negative in my book. In the photos above, you can see how the cargo area looked while full of groceries and bags. There was still plenty of space for more in both situations.
My photographer is around 6’3″ tall, while I am around 5’6″. I don’t think he would have been quite as comfortable in the backseat. He fit, but the other seats had to be moved up quite a bit. At my average height, I was comfortable in all back seats and had plenty of room in the front.
How is the tech in the CX-30?
This vehicle does not use a touchscreen but opts for an 8.8-inch screen that uses dials and knobs to scroll through the menus. I used to have one of these knobs in an old Lexus that I drove, but this one worked a lot better. Even though a touchscreen isn’t necessary, it felt like scrolling through the systems took a while. On the flip side, you can control almost everything through these menus. I thought that was helpful.
For those who are less excited about all of the screens and technology in new cars, the CX-30 is a good in-between. For extra features, the MyMazda app allows you to lock/unlock the vehicle and use the remote start feature. Beyond the app, the CX-30 gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I have struggled with Apple CarPlay in some cars this year, but it worked well in the Mazda.
In conclusion
The 2023 Mazda CX-30 gets a lot right at a reasonable price point. I would go with the CX-30 over any of the competition for those looking at a subcompact or extra small SUV. It won’t be suitable for those who need a lot of cargo space or a spacious backseat, but there are plenty of bigger options out there to fill that need. If you can swing the $35,400 price tag for the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, I appreciate all of the extra systems and features it offers.
If that is out of budget, the 2.5 S Preferred still comes pretty well equipped for only $28,220. Overall, I would be happy with any of the trim levels of the CX-30 as my daily driver. Thanks to Mazda for letting me drive this fun little crossover – it was a hit!
