2024 Mazda CX-30

The representative naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine produces 191 hp; the optional turbo broadens the range to 250 hp on 93 octane.

The volume naturally aspirated powertrain's torque output is modest but competitive for a non-turbo subcompact SUV.

A reputable instrumented test of the base-engine sibling records 7.5 seconds, appropriate to the unchanged 191-hp naturally aspirated 2024 configuration.

The naturally aspirated engine delivers linear, generally smooth response without turbo lag, though reviewers find it somewhat sluggish when more acceleration is requested.

The conventional six-speed automatic is responsive and avoids CVT drone; reviews characterize its shifts as quick and smooth, while manual and Sport modes add control.

Mazda publishes no U.S. trailer-tow rating for the 2024 CX-30, so it receives the low-band value rather than a non-U.S.-market rating.

i-Activ AWD is standard on every trim and continuously adjusts torque distribution; G-Vectoring Control Plus and Off-Road Traction Assist are also standard.

Standard AWD, Off-Road Traction Assist, and roughly 8 inches of clearance support light-duty use, but there is no rugged trim, low range, locker, or underbody armor.

Buyers can choose naturally aspirated or substantially stronger turbocharged 2.5-liter engines, but there is no hybrid, plug-in, EV, diesel, or alternate transmission.

The naturally aspirated AWD volume configuration earns a strong 29 MPG combined; turbo trims fall to 25 MPG combined.

EPA city economy for the non-turbo 2.5-liter AWD configuration is 26 MPG.

EPA highway economy for the non-turbo 2.5-liter AWD configuration is 33 MPG.

The EPA combined rating and official 12.7-gallon tank yield about 368 miles, conventionally rounded to 370 miles of total range.

The EPA dataset's current standard-cost estimate is $2,150 annually for the regular-gas non-turbo configuration.

The volume naturally aspirated engine achieves its full rated output on regular gasoline; even turbo trims can use regular, though premium unlocks their maximum output.

The 2024 CX-30 earned NHTSA's maximum five-star overall rating; its frontal and side ratings are five stars and its rollover rating is four stars.

The 2024 CX-30 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and earned Good ratings in the small-overlap, original and updated moderate-overlap, and updated side tests. This is among the strongest crashworthiness records in the class.

Every 2024 trim includes AEB, stop-and-go adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Mazda made the latter two features standard for 2024, completing the rubric's five-feature suite across the range.

The standard pedestrian AEB system earned a Good IIHS rating for all 2024 models, including high-beam-assist credit and successful daytime child and nighttime adult scenarios. Rear automatic braking is available only on the top Turbo Premium Plus, preventing a near-perfect score.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard across the 2024 range, a meaningful model-year improvement. On the representative non-turbo trim they are warning systems rather than active steering or braking interventions; rear cross-traffic braking is reserved for Turbo Premium Plus.

Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist can nudge the vehicle back from a lane edge, but the volume non-turbo trims lack continuous lane centering. Cruising and Traffic Support adds steering assistance only on the range-topping Turbo Premium Plus, so mainstream-trim capability is basic rather than a polished highway-centering system.

Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go is standard and supplies useful full-speed traffic capability. Integrated steering assistance is confined to the expensive Turbo Premium Plus, leaving the volume trim with capable ACC but no full highway-assist package.

No 2024 CX-30 trim offers a hands-free highway-driving system. Even the top trim's Cruising and Traffic Support is a hands-on Level 2 assistance feature rather than a BlueCruise- or Super Cruise-style system.

IIHS rates both available LED-projector headlight variants Good, including the non-adaptive lamps fitted to the volume trims. High-beam assist is standard, while upper trims add curve-adaptive lighting.

Forward visibility is serviceable, but the high beltline, small side glass, sloping roof, and large rear pillars create substantial rear-quarter blind zones. Standard blind-spot monitoring and a rear camera help, but the 360-degree monitor is confined to Turbo Premium Plus rather than the volume trim.

The anchors themselves are exceptionally accessible and earn IIHS's Good+ rating, but the tight rear seat limits bulky rear-facing seats and rules out an easy three-across arrangement. It is excellent hardware in a space-constrained cabin.

The two-row CX-30 seats five in every 2024 trim.

The official U.S. specification is used for the volume configuration.

Front legroom is adequate for the class but not exceptional.

Rear headroom is respectable despite the small cabin.

The measured figure is mid-band, though packaging and front-seat position make real use feel tighter.

The CX-30 is strictly a two-row, five-seat SUV and offers no third row.

Cargo room behind the second row is below the framework's SUV floor and below most subcompact rivals.

Maximum cargo capacity is modest even for a subcompact SUV.

There is basic console and door storage but no standout solution, and reviewers find several compartments poorly shaped.

Supportive front seats and a premium-feeling driving environment work well, but the tight rear bench limits four-adult comfort.

Body control is good, but the firmly tuned suspension can feel jumpy on broken pavement, especially with 18-inch wheels on Select Sport.

The cabin is generally quiet for the class, though coarse engine sound enters under load.

The volume Select Sport has dual-zone climate and rear vents, but heated power seats begin at Preferred and a heated wheel is limited to Turbo Premium grades.

The entry 2024 CX-30 2.5 S listed for $24,995 before destination. Mazda raised the contiguous-US destination charge from $1,375 to $1,420 effective April 3, 2024, so the launch and later all-in MSRPs were $26,370 and $26,415 respectively.

The naturally aspirated Select Sport is the representative volume configuration: it adds keyless entry, leatherette, dual-zone climate control, rear vents and 18-inch wheels without moving into the costly turbo range. Edmunds specifically recommends this trim as the price-and-content sweet spot.

Edmunds provides a trim-specific five-year projection for the 2024 Select Sport AWD at 15,000 miles per year. Combining its maintenance and repair lines gives $6,902.

The model-level iSeeCars projection indicates stronger retention than the subcompact-SUV average. It is not trim-specific, so confidence is medium despite the large underlying market sample.

Mazda's new-vehicle limited warranty is the mainstream minimum and trails the longer basic coverage from Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi.

The 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain term is standard for many mainstream rivals but is at the bottom of this item's normalization range.

There is no included scheduled-maintenance plan, but Mazda supplies limited 24/7 roadside towing tied to the warranty and a useful three-year Connected Services trial. That earns the bottom of the rubric's basic-roadside band rather than the stronger scores reserved for included maintenance.

$27,875 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (64.4% retained, or about $17,952) leaves about $9,924 in depreciation. Add the projected $6,902 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $16,826 in total.

Owner-survey evidence puts the 2024 CX-30 above its model-year peers, and an independent used-vehicle assessment also predicts above-average reliability. The established platform and conventional non-turbo powertrain further reduce risk, although two later safety recalls prevent a top-of-class score.

Mazda had a strong recent multi-year record around this model year, sitting seventh in Consumer Reports' 2024 brand reliability results and above the industry average in J.D. Power's 2024 dependability study. It was strong but not consistently top-five, so it falls short of the highest band.

Two safety campaigns are a meaningful blemish: one can disable airbags after a low-battery event and the other can impair automatic braking, lane support, and automatic high beams. Both have straightforward software, inspection, or component remedies, and the camera campaign covered only 528 CX-30s, so the record is concerning but not evidence of recurring mechanical failure.

The volume 2.5 S uses Mazda's long-running naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5 and conventional six-speed automatic rather than the less-proven turbo. Both have extensive service history across several Mazda nameplates and no prominent systemic durability pattern in this application.

The CX-30 is a clear subcompact-SUV benchmark for cabin materials, with soft-touch surfaces, substantial controls, and convincing leatherette in the volume Select Sport trim. Multiple reviewers compare its perceived quality with entry-luxury vehicles despite mainstream pricing.

Reviewers consistently describe tight, solid assembly and polished switchgear, placing the CX-30 above the mainstream subcompact norm. Scattered owner reports of rattles and trim concerns keep it below an exceptional near-perfect score.

Mazda provides adequate nationwide support but its U.S. footprint is materially thinner than those of the largest mainstream brands, particularly outside metro areas. Its improving Retail Evolution network and moderate service-retention result support an above-average experience where coverage exists.

A high-volume model using widely shared Mazda mechanicals benefits from normal parts access and an established independent-repair ecosystem. Costs are better than average by brand, though the CX-30-specific dataset and aftermarket are not as deep as those for segment leaders from Toyota or Honda.

Select Sport retains the non-touch 8.8-inch Mazda Connect display; the larger touch-capable screen is Turbo-only.

The high-mounted display and commander knob minimize distraction, but the interface is polarizing and the volume trim has no touch operation.

Wired CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; wireless projection starts at Carbon Edition and is not on the volume Select Sport.

Phone integration covers mapping for most buyers, while Mazda Navigation is restricted to Premium grades and its voice capability is conventional.

The six-speaker volume system is adequate, with useful eight-speaker and strong 12-speaker Bose upgrades available.

A seven-inch LCD information display is standard, but this is a partial-digital arrangement rather than a fully configurable digital cockpit.

The system supports connected services but there is no evidence of broad feature-adding whole-vehicle OTA capability.

MyMazda supplies the core remote monitoring and control functions, complimentary for three years, but no phone-as-key is offered.

Two USB-C inputs modernize the cabin for 2024, but wireless charging is limited to Carbon Edition and Turbo grades and rear-row power is sparse.

Select Sport adds proximity-style Advanced Keyless Entry and the app enables remote start, but hands-free liftgate and phone-as-key are absent.

The volume trim has only a rear camera; surround view and front/rear parking sensors require the top Turbo Premium Plus.

Mazda's Active Driving Display is useful but starts at 2.5 S Premium rather than the volume trim.

Good LATCH hardware cannot offset the tight rear compartment, where rear-facing seats severely compromise front-passenger space.

Top-tier crash performance combines with an unusually complete standard driver-assistance suite and a newly standard rear-seat alert.

Four occupants can manage shorter trips, but tight rear space, firm ride, thin rear amenities and 20.2 cu ft of cargo constrain long family travel.

Compact dimensions, supportive controls, conventional six-speed behavior and standard adaptive cruise make it easy to commute, though ride firmness and limited rear visibility add fatigue.

The naturally aspirated volume trim uses regular fuel and returns a respectable 29 mpg combined, but several less powerful rivals are more efficient.

A 173-inch footprint and 34.8-foot turning diameter suit urban spaces, although thick rear pillars and a rear-camera-only volume trim reduce confidence.

Modest cargo space and an explicit prohibition on trailer towing make this a poor work vehicle despite strong engine output and AWD.

The conventional naturally aspirated engine and six-speed automatic are straightforward, but the upscale leatherette cabin and car-based chassis are not designed for repeated jobsite abuse.

Roof rails provide a basic attachment point, but there is no towing, onboard AC power, washable interior, cargo innovation or work-upfit ecosystem.

A quiet, upscale front cabin, adaptive cruise and roughly 370 miles of EPA combined range help, but firm ride, small rear quarters and a 12.7-gallon tank limit touring appeal.

Standard AWD, Off-Road Traction Assist, eight inches of clearance and volume-trim roof rails support gravel roads and roof-mounted gear, but towing is prohibited.

A folding rear bench and roof rails accept ordinary weekend gear, but the 20.2/45.2-cu-ft cargo hold and weak cabin storage restrict bulky loads.

The CX-30 is a subcompact-SUV benchmark for balance, body control and driver engagement, backed by strong test grip.

Steering is unusually communicative, accurately weighted and central to the CX-30's class-leading engagement.

Pedal calibration is tactile and confidence-inspiring, while the recorded stopping distance is good rather than exceptional.

The naturally aspirated 2.5 and conventional six-speed deliver predictable response and sensible shifts, although acceleration is less urgent than the chassis suggests.

The drivetrain is generally unobtrusive at cruise but the four-cylinder turns raspy when worked, particularly at low revs.

Mazda publishes a 17.4-foot radius, equivalent to a tight 34.8-foot diameter.

The well-placed commander, high display and driver-focused controls are excellent, but thick rear pillars compromise sightlines and Select Sport lacks power-seat adjustment.

Few affordable subcompact SUVs match its control feedback and willingness to corner, even with the less powerful volume engine.

Even the base 2.5 S includes AWD, a 191-hp engine, LED lighting, an 8.8-inch display, wired smartphone integration and a broad active-safety suite. The volume Select Sport remains under $28,000 delivered while adding leatherette, advanced keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, rear vents, roof rails and 18-inch wheels.

The CX-30 couples standard AWD, above-average naturally aspirated output, strong safety and a near-premium cabin at mainstream-subcompact pricing. Cargo and rear-seat space are below the class leaders and turbo trims become expensive, keeping it just short of exceptional value.

Eight trims span $24,995 to $36,800 before destination, with five naturally aspirated and three turbo choices. AWD is universal and there is no hybrid or front-drive economy configuration, but the unusually deep equipment ladder covers budget, premium-style and performance buyers.

US demand was already strong at 77,075 units in 2023, up 46%, and accelerated to a record 96,515 in 2024. That growth and scale establish the CX-30 as a highly accepted subcompact SUV even though it was not Mazda's overall bestseller.

Mazda has a favorable enthusiast and design-led image, and the CX-30's upscale cabin gives it a modest premium halo despite mainstream pricing. The brand lacks the status and breadth of a luxury marque, so desirability is strong rather than aspirational.

The model combined useful subsidized financing and cash offers with moderate dealer negotiation rather than distress-level fire-sale pricing. Late in 2024, average transaction prices ran 4.2% below MSRP, and buyers were advised that outgoing 2024 inventory could yield still better deals.

The 2024 model is the fifth model year of the generation that began in 2020, with no full redesign or facelift. New trims, USB-C ports, a newly available 10.25-inch touchscreen interface and expanded driver assistance kept it current, but the underlying Mazda3-based package was mid-to-late cycle.

Reviewers consistently praised the CX-30's handling, cabin quality, quietness and value while flagging tight rear and cargo space. It earned a 2024 Car and Driver Editors' Choice and a 7.9/10 tested Edmunds score, strong recognition short of a major overall vehicle-of-the-year win.