In a sea of mid-size compact CUS, repetiion, dullness, and the same basic talking points still dominate the segment. There’s an abundance of choice but it seems very few CUVs have what it takes to truly stand out when it comes to the broader context of what an SUV should be. The 2025 Mazda CX-30 is a model attempting to inject more spice into the segment.

While it may seem like it has been lost in the shadows thanks to the recent introducions of the Mazda CX-90 and 70, the CX-30 still has an important role to play. But has its role perhps slipped through the cracks in recent years?

We feel ya CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 and I have something in common when it comes to making up for lost time. Just like how I had to navigate through a rough patch for my family last year, the CX-30 has had to navigate through the difficult task of being the CUV that has had to endure being swept aside for shinier and bigger SUVs in Mazda’s growing pool while still being asked to generate sales.

Part of this is that other than minor changes ad the arrival of the Aire model, not much has changed. The exterior styling is still sporty but is also starting to show its age. The CX-30 is currenly the smallest Mazda the company has for sale in the U.S. and its bold front profile is paired with a sporty sloping roofline. We last saw this in the even tinier and axed CX-3, but Mazda s attemping to deliver the look with less compromises.

In theory it has worked, but in practice, the CX-30 still feels like it has some rough edges. The bulk of it is due to how old the CX-30 is when compared to recently updated or released models. The only model that currently surpasses the CX-30 in raw age is the MX-5 Miata which has gone 10 years without an update. The sloping roofline also cuts into the usability of the CX-30 with the rear cargo area being too cramped for larger items of cargo. The slope also eats into rear headroom for taller passengers and this cuts into the CX-30’s argument for being considered for family duty.

Comfy CX-30 interior follows the Mazda3’s lead

If you’re a fan of the Mazda3, chances are good you will be very familiar with some of the core elements that make the way into the interior. Like the Mazda3, the CX-30’s cabin does a good job of providing a high quality experience for the dollar with plenty of soft-touch materials and thoughtful design elements. The infotainment system is located in the center of the dashboard and is still controlled by a large rotary control knob. The knob is responsive but this system is still in the proverbial trenches when it comes to ease of use including inputting navigational directions.

An eight or 12-speaker premium audio system is available and our Premium tester arrived with leather upholstery. The front seats offer a generous amount of room but the aforementioned second row can be a bit cramped for taller occupants.

Turbo or bust

Performance for the CX-30 continues to come from two egines. A naturally aspirated 2.5-liter is the base engine which makes 191 hp and is mated to a six-speed automatic. This setup is good for most buyers and it should do the job well especially in uruban commuting.

However, if you have the need for speed and more low-end torque, a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter is optional. Our tester arrived with this particular setup which makes 250 horsepower on premium fuel. Fill the CX-30 with regular and power goes down to over 220 hp. The enhanced low-end torque makes this engine deceptively fun in street driving with oru tester having commendable acceleration with a 0 to 60 time of 6.2 seconds.

The CX-30 also had some of the fun playful character you see in the Mazda3 hatchback and our tester had crisp steering and communicative suspension feedback in tight corners. This playfulness does come at the cost of fuel economy with the EPA saying it gets 22/30/25 mpg in city/freeway/combined driving. Mazda says the CX-30 was not designed for towing and there’s no towing information as a result.

Value Quotient

Pricing for the 2026 Mazda CX-30 starts at $26,375 for the base 2.5 S. The pricing ladder allows the CX-30 to firmly stay in the $20,000 to $30,000 range with a Turbo Premium Plus like our tester starting at $37,900. Light optional extras and taxes and fees caused our tester to get very close to $40,000.

This pricing is a strong tech play for the CX-3 but while a pricing laddr like this is usually a strong attribute, it’s balaced out by the CX-30’s age with some of its wrinkles tarnishing this early advantage somewhat. But at the same time, it also makes us very excited about potenial updates for the CX-30 when it gets its next revamp especially in infotainment technology.