Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 features lightweight construction to improve performance and economy, and is offered in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). In the US, AWD became standard for the 2022 model year and the FWD model was removed from the lineup.^[16]

According to Naohito Saga, the CX-30's program manager, the CX-30 is targeted to drivers who are still single or are married and starting a family in the United States. Mazda chief designer Ryo Yanagisawa said that it will be more acceptable as a family car in Europe and Japan.^[7] Saga also noted that Mazda named the vehicle CX-30, to avoid confusion with the China-only CX-4.^[17][18][7]

The CX-30 was released in the UK in December 2019^[19] and in North America in January 2020. It was launched in the Philippines on 28 November 2019,^[20] Malaysia on 15 January 2020,^[21] Indonesia on 28 January 2020,^[22][23] and Thailand on 6 March 2020.^[24][25] The 2.5 turbo model was released internationally in February 2021.^[26]

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  Rear view
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  Interior
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  CX-30 EV (China)
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  CX-30 EV (China)

The CX-30 received positive reviews upon its release. Top Gear gave it a score of 7 out of 10, with the verdict being: "Good car, the Mazda CX-30. Handles well, looks smart and has a lovely interior."^[36] Car and Driver rated it 9.5 out of 10, commenting that "If you're shopping small SUVs, the Mazda CX-30 should be at the top of your consideration list."^[37] Edmunds.com gave it a score of 7.9 out of 10, commenting that "Admittedly, it's a niche vehicle, but it has the potential to be a 'just-right' fit for car shoppers who want a slightly roomier and nicer vehicle than an subcompact crossover SUV but don't like the greater cost of bigger models such as the CX-5 or CR-V."^[38] Alan Taylor-Jones of Autocar gave the CX-30 four out of five stars, saying: "Satisfyingly agile and blessed with a truly high quality interior, the CX-30 is a tempting choice if you don’t need vast amounts of space inside."^[39]

On the other hand, Christian Seabaugh of Motor Trend was not impressed with the CX-30, saying that "The end result is that it feels neither sporty nor luxurious. Like the brand itself, the CX-30 (alongside the more successful CX-5) finds itself stuck in the middle. Worse still, it's a disappointing effort in a competitive class."^[40] What Car? rated the CX-30 three out of five stars, commenting that "Its real strength lies in its ability to feel as luxurious as premium brands in this class at a much cheaper price. Just remember that rear space is tight and the boot isn’t anything to write home about, either."^[41]

The CX-30 won the 2020 Red Dot Design Award in the Passenger Car category,^[42][43] as well as the 2020 Autozeitung Design Trophy in the SUV category.^[44] It also received the 2019 Auto Bild Golden Steering Wheel Award in the SUV/crossover category for vehicles up to 4.4 meters in length^[45] and was named Thailand Car of the Year 2020 by the Thai Automotive Journalists Association,^[46] as well as the 2020 Editor's Choice Car of the Year by Top Gear Philippines.^[47]

In 2021, the CX-30 was named Car of the Year by Wheels magazine in Australia,^[48] and it was selected as a Top Pick for Subcompact SUV Under US$25,000 by Consumer Reports.^[49]

U.S. News & World Report ranked the Mazda CX-30 at No. 1 (tied with the Kia Soul and Hyundai Kona) on its list of Best Subcompact SUVs for 2022, giving it a score of 8.4 out of 10.^[50]

In 2024, the CX-30 was one of seven subcompact SUVs listed on Car and Driver's Editors' Choice.^[51]