Mazda CX-30

Mazda CX-30 at a glance

The design team was led by Ryo Yanagisawa, and Naohito Saga was programme manager. Mazda chose the name CX-30 instead of CX-4 because a CX-4 was already sold in China. Mazda's Ujina Plant No. 1 in Hiroshima is the global production source; Salamanca supplies North and South America, and Rayong built the first cars for Australia. Other models of the brand are in our Mazda catalogue.

Generations and model history

The CX-30 has had one generation so far. Launch dates ran from Japan on 24 October 2019 to the UK in December 2019 and North America in January 2020.

Changes in Europe have been made through the engine range rather than a facelift. The 1.8 diesel and the original 132 kW (180 PS) Skyactiv-X were dropped in April 2021, when the X engine was uprated to 137 kW (186 PS). In June 2024 the 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G replaced the 2.0-litre e-Skyactiv G engines. The electric CX-30 EV made in China has a taller body (1,655 mm) and is not sold in Europe.

Engines, transmissions and performance

All European petrol engines are naturally aspirated four-cylinders; the e-Skyactiv versions have Mazda's M Hybrid mild-hybrid system. Gearboxes are a six-speed Skyactiv-MT manual or a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic.

The e-Skyactiv X uses a 24-volt mild-hybrid system with a 5.3 kW electric motor. In North America the CX-30 is also sold with a 2.5 turbo of 186 kW (253 PS) and 434 Nm, and all-wheel drive became standard there from the 2022 model year.

Figures are from ADAC. Convert outputs with the power converter.

Dimensions, space and boot

The CX-30 is 120 mm longer than the CX-3 it replaced in Europe and its boot is 80 litres larger. What Car? still describes rear space as tight and the boot as modest for the class, and the rear seats do not fold completely flat.

Fuel economy and running costs

The 2.5 e-Skyactiv G uses 6.0 l/100 km in the WLTP cycle and the Skyactiv-X 5.7 l/100 km (ADAC). A UK road test of the 2.5 in 2024 recorded 45 mpg (about 6.3 l/100 km) against a claimed 47.1 mpg. Mazda's German warranty has been six years or 150,000 km since April 2022 (ADAC). Our cost of ownership calculator estimates the total running costs.

Trims and prices

German trims run from Prime-Line through Center-Line, Homura, Nagisa, Makoto and Exclusive-Line to Takumi. In the UK the 2.5 Prime-Line cost GBP 25,415 in 2024, about EUR 30,000 at 2024 exchange rates.

Safety: Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP gave the CX-30 five stars in November 2019 with 99% for adult occupants, 86% for child occupants, 80% for vulnerable road users and 77% for safety assist. The rating was reviewed in 2020 and 2021 and expired on 1 January 2026. In the United States the IIHS named the CX-30 a Top Safety Pick+ from 2021 to 2024. Seven airbags are standard. See more results in our safety ratings.

Reliability and known issues

ADAC names one recurring cause of breakdowns: the 12-volt starter battery on cars from model years 2020 to 2022. Its statistics show 43.5 breakdowns per 1,000 cars registered in 2020, 25.2 for 2021, 14.6 for 2022 and 4.8 for 2023, a far lower figure for the newest cars.

Rivals

Prices are German list prices from ADAC. Unlike the Toyota and the new T-Roc, the CX-30 offers no full hybrid; Mazda relies on larger naturally aspirated engines with mild-hybrid assistance.

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