Tested: 2025 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Is One of the Family

View exterior photosMichael Simari|Car and DriverTake a look at the Mazda lineup, and a pretty clear pattern emerges. Mazdas are often among the most rewarding cars to drive in their respective segment, but they’re rarely the most practical. Mazda cabins typically are nicer than you find in rivals, but their infotainment systems demand a learning curve. We find them to be handsomely styled without excessive adornment, but their shapely proportions rarely make for the roomiest interiors. All this is true even with the brand’s entry-level Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, and it’s also true of the CX-30, whose marketers would insist is an SUV but which could also be seen as a tall hatchback.As with most other Mazdas, the CX-30 lineup is bifurcated by powertrain—regular and turbo, both identically sized four-cylinders. A 191-hp naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four serves base-engine duty, while a 250-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter powers the higher-end trims like our test car. view exterior photosMichael Simari|Car and DriverThe turbo engine makes the CX-30 preternaturally quick for a vehicle of this size and shape. Subcompact SUVs are some of the most underpowered members of the national motor pool, but not this turbocharged Mazda. It scoots to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and zips from 50 to 70 mph in 4.1 seconds. Both results are well ahead of its base-engine sibling, which takes 7.5 seconds to saunter to 60 and 5.1 seconds to climb from 50 to 70.HIGHS: Interior gives off luxury vibes, seriously speedy for its segment, all-wheel drive is standard. Mazda pairs the CX-30’s turbo engine with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic. In addition to its foul-weather sure-footedness, all-wheel drive helps keep torque steer at bay. While the six-speed automatic is preferable to a CVT from a drivability standpoint, it’s not overly eager to downshift unless you switch it into Sport mode—but with the turbo engine’s chunky 320-lb-ft torque peak at a low 2500 rpm, there’s not much need to keep the engine wound up. view interior PhotosMichael Simari|Car and Driverview interior PhotosMichael Simari|Car and Driver➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car. Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsA CVT, or even a conventional automatic with more gears, would probably help the CX-30 eke out better fuel economy. As it is, that’s not a strongpoint for this model, with EPA numbers of 22 mpg city and 30 highway. That’s a ride down from the nonturbo’s 26 city and 33 highway and pretty much the same as the significantly larger CX-50 Turbo (23/29 mpg). view exterior photosMichael Simari|Car and DriverThe CX-30 doesn’t go in for the off-road cosplay that’s currently all the rage. No knobby tires, no chunky roof rack, no raised ride height—though there is a fair bit of cladding around the wheel arches. Drivers can select an off-road drive mode, which alters the tuning of the drivetrain and the stability-control system, but otherwise, this Mazda is optimized for pavement duty. Our test car’s Bridgestone Turanza EL440 all-season tires delivered 0.83 g of lateral grip, and they helped haul the car to a stop from 70 mph in 174 feet. The well-weighted steering is much like what you’ll find in the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, and the CX-30 is more at home on a winding road than many of its ilk. On 18-inch wheels, the ride is firm but not harsh.
LOWS: Snug-fitting rear seat, fuel economy belies its small size, infotainment learning curve.The driver’s environment of this Mazda also exceeds the standard of this class, at least in terms of design and materials. Your elbows rest on nicely finished, padded surfaces; smooth, high-quality leather wraps the steering wheel; and the seats are well shaped and comfortable. The CX-30 dates back to the 2020 model year, and it still features a pleasingly tactile array of real buttons and knobs for climate control functions. We approve.view interior PhotosMichael Simari|Car and Driverview interior PhotosMichael Simari|Car and DriverThe infotainment display is larger here (10.3 inches) than in some of the lesser trims but still may strike some as smallish. It’s operated via a rotary controller on the center console whose logic isn’t always clear. The system does support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however. Most will be able to adapt to the infotainment, but those of larger stature won’t adapt well to the rear seat. The space back there is tight even for average-sized adults, and fitting a rear-facing child seat may be a nonstarter. Similarly, the CX-30’s luggage hold isn’t as big as some rivals’, but we did manage to fit seven carry-on-size suitcases behind the rear seats.VERDICT: Channels much of the Mazda3’s goodness into the vogue-ish quasi-SUV shape.The CX-30 Turbo’s pricing reflects its maker’s premium aspirations. The least expensive Turbo model is the Carbon, which starts at $34,635—a $3000 upcharge over the base-engine Carbon Edition. The top Turbo trim level, the Premium Plus, comes in at $38,645 before options. view exterior photosMichael Simari|Car and DriverThose numbers are well above what you’d pay for the least expensive subcompact SUVs but are also less pricey than premium-brand entrants such as the Volvo XC40 and BMW X1—although they begin to overlap the Acura ADX and Lexus UX. In short, its positioning mirrors other Mazdas, and with similar pros and cons. This subcompact SUV apple didn’t fall far from the family tree.SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Carbon Turbo

Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE

Base/As Tested: $34,635/$35,220
Options: navigation system, $450; stainless-steel rear bumper guard, $135
ENGINE

turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 152 in3, 2488 cm3
Power: 250 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 320 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
TRANSMISSION

6-speed automatic
CHASSIS

Suspension, F/R: struts/torsion beam
Brakes, F/R: 11.6-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Bridgestone Turanza EL440

215/55R-18 95H M+S

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 104.4 in
Length: 173.0 in
Width: 70.7 in

Height: 62.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 51/43 ft3

Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 45/20 ft3

Curb Weight: 3444 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 6.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 97 mph

100 mph: 15.7 sec
120 mph: 25.7 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed (mfr claim): 126 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 174 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g
Interior Sound

Idle: 38 dBA/3 sone
Full Throttle: 84 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 69 dBA/24 sone
C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 28 mpg