The Mazda CX-30 is a subcompact crossover SUV that debuted for the 2020 model year. It was briefly sold alongside the slightly smaller Mazda CX-3, which was introduced in 2016 and discontinued in Canada after the 2022 model year. The CX-30 was an improvement on the CX-3 in nearly every meaningful way with more space inside, a premium-quality interior, and a larger, more powerful engine. The 2026 Mazda CX-30 remains a good option for buyers who like small cars but prefer crossovers to sedans or hatchbacks.
Mazda CX-30 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
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The CX-30 is the smallest crossover Mazda currently sells, sitting below the CX-5, CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90 models. Unlike the rest of Mazda’s lineup of crossover SUVs, the CX-30 is not offered with a hybrid powertrain. Instead, the 2026 Mazda CX-30 is equipped with either a base naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower, or an optional Skyactiv-G turbocharged engine with up to 250 hp. Earlier base models in Canada came with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv-G engine producing 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and G-Vectoring Control Plus are standard in later model years.
Mazda CX-30 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Mazda CX-30 Pros and Cons
- Mazda CX-30 Generations
- Mazda CX-30 First Generation (2020-Present)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mazda CX-30 years are the best?
There haven’t been any significant changes to the CX-30 since it went on sale. It’s proven a reliable car over the years, so buyers are advised to pick a trim level and a powertrain, then choose a car that falls into their price bracket. If you’re considering a CX-30 with the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, 2023 and newer versions have a bit more power and improved fuel economy over previous versions.
What are the worst Mazda CX-30 years?
Technically, CarComplaints.com shows more owner complaints from 2021 than any other year, but the actual number of issues has been small regardless of model year. You’ll have to skip 2020 if you’re looking for the turbocharged engine since Mazda offered only the base 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre four-cylinder engines for that model year.
Is a used Mazda CX-30 a good deal?
Yes, the Mazda CX-30 can be an excellent deal. Prices for used Mazda CX-30 models fall roughly in line with similarly sized competitors such as the Honda HR-V and the Subaru Crosstrek, so buyers who prefer the premium interior and sporty driving experience that Mazda vehicles offer and don’t mind the CX-30’s cramped rear seats (a test drive should provide both of those answers) shouldn’t have any reason to look elsewhere.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Mazda CX-30 comes with a solid list of driver-assist safety features and has received top safety ratings from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Mazda CX-30 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stylish design
- Fun to drive
- Great safety ratings
Cons
- Cramped back seat
- Not much cargo space
- Hasn’t been refreshed in six years
Mazda CX-30 Generations
Mazda CX-30 First Generation (2020-Present)
The new Mazda CX-30 hit dealerships in Canada for the 2020 model year. It was Mazda’s second subcompact SUV and didn't immediately replace the smaller CX-3 that had been around since 2016. The CX-3 would eventually end production for Canada following the 2022 model year.
The CX-30 launched Mazda’s updated crossover naming scheme. The existence of the CX-3 and the larger CX-5 compact crossover seemed to suggest the CX-30 should have been a CX-4. But that’s because the next generation of Mazda crossovers hadn't yet debuted: the CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90.
When it launched, the CX-30 was offered in three separate trim levels in Canada: GX, GS, and GT. Standard equipment for the GX trim level included 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen running Mazda Connect software and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This trim came with the 2.0-litre engine and initially had front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) variants, all matched with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Stepping up to the GS trim level brought the 2.5-litre engine with either FWD or AWD as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning vents, and a rear armrest with built-in cupholders. This trim offered all of Mazda’s available safety and driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control with stop and go, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a driver attention alert.
An available Luxury package for the GS trim added leatherette upholstery, a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with memory function, a power glass moonroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Stepping up to GT trim added features such as a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system with SiriusXM satellite radio, a windshield-projected Active Driving Display (otherwise known as a head-up display), leather seats, a power liftgate, an adaptive front lighting system, paddle shifters, cylinder deactivation, and LED Signature illumination headlights and taillights. This trim was available with AWD only.
Fuel economy figures for the 2020 Mazda CX-30 were as low as 8.1 L/100 km combined with the smaller engine and FWD. Adding AWD brought that figure up to 8.6 L/100 km combined. With the larger engine, the CX-30 averaged 8.3 L/100 km combined with FWD, 8.9 L/100 km combined with AWD, and 8.6 L/100 km combined with AWD and the cylinder deactivation feature offered in the GT trim.
A turbocharged engine with up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel (the engine runs fine on regular unleaded but power is lowered to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft) became optional for the 2021 model year. All-wheel drive came standard on turbo models, and fuel economy went up a bit to 9.3 L/100 km combined.
All-wheel drive became standard on all Mazda CX-30 models for the 2022 model year. The 2023 Mazda CX-30’s base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine was bumped to 191 hp, and fuel economy improved to 8.2 L/100 km combined (up 0.7 L/100 km over the previous year).
The 2024 Mazda CX-30 lost the 2.0-litre engine. A new Suna Edition based on the GT Turbo equipped exclusive Zircon Sand Metallic paint and Terracotta interior trim accents. The GS Luxury Package gained a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, and the GT added a wireless charger, two USB-C ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There weren’t any major changes for the 2025 or 2026 model years.
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 carries a starting MSRP in Canada of $32,496 including destination and fees. The least expensive 2026 CX-30 with a turbo engine is the $43,796 GT Turbo.
In Canada, used Mazda CX-30s start at about $15,000, but budget at least $20,000 if you want a car with less than 100,000 kilometres on the odometer.
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by Jeremy Korzeniewski
Jeremy Korzeniewski grew up as the son of an automotive engineer in a family obsessed with cars and trucks and turned that passion into a career in 2006 when he accepted a position with Autoblog. Over the next 18 years, Jeremy published more than 8,000 articles while serving as a Senior Editor and has contributed to respected brands that include Yahoo, Edmunds, Robb Report and AutoGuide. Jeremy is also an avid motorcyclist and spends the majority of his evenings at home with his wife hoping to cook up a delicious meal for dinner.
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