Mazda CX-30 2022 Review

The best way to define this car is accepting that it is the SUV version of an urban hatchback. Rather than any attempts of showing off-road talents, it aims at offering a beautiful place where you and (few) other people can have a great time driving in the city. The powertrain makes decent output and great mileage, but the cabin gets mixed reviews: excellent looks and trim but cramped space.

You know how most SUVs built their fame around rugged appearance, tall seating position, and the illusion of off-road capability? Well, that is not what you are going to find here. The CX-30 is clearly focused on city driving and does not hide it. It does so well in that environment that it is one of the best alternatives to a hatchback you can get if you really want to move to the trendy market category of the moment.

Engine and gear

The standard engine for this vehicle is a four-cylinder 2.5-liter which offers 186 hp of power and 186 lb-ft of torque. If you want something faster, there is a turbocharged version of the same setup capable of 250 hp and 320 hp. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic.

Suspension

Despite the original reputation of SUVs, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 is clearly focused on urban use. In this context, the suspension does its job beautifully, contributing to an overall dynamic behavior that gets frequent compliments from buyers and the press.

Handling

Widely praised by the specialized press. The CX-30 is said to feel nimble and agile as a hatchback, with responsive and precise steering which makes it excellent to take twisty roads at high speeds.

Vibration

When it comes to vibration, the base engine is considered somewhat harsh, especially compared to the category standard. The turbocharged option is much better in this regard.

Ride

Perfectly follows the high standard Mazda has established over the past years. The 2022 CX-30 ignores its height and feels like a compact hatchback. It offers smooth movements and a controlled body roll.

Mazda has put great effort into the CX-30’s equipment list. It is not comparable to luxury rivals because, well, it is not one of them. However, that list with so many electronic safety assists makes it a solid contender in the generalist subcompact segment.

Brakes

The 2022 CX-30’s braking performance is quite average compared to direct competitors. The Turbo model needs slightly more space than both the naturally-aspirated version and the 3 hatchback.

Airbags

Even the base trim level is equipped with dual-stage front airbags for driver and front passenger, seat-mounted side airbags for both, knee airbags for both, and curtain airbags for the first and the second rows of seats.

Electronics

The model comes with a long list of safety assists as standard, including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The list of options adds even more of them.

Lights

The CX-30’s standard equipment list features LED headlights with projector beams, manual leveling, automatic high beams, and daytime running lights.

Traction control

The 2022 CX-30 has a standard package that includes all-wheel drive and electronic traction and stability controls.

Mazda has made big investments in its Skyactiv engine family and it pays off: they use cutting-edge technology and return an interesting combination of performance and fuel efficiency. However, that is not enough when we compare the CX-30 to its direct rivals: any electrification whatsoever is restricted to the MX-30 sibling, which leaves the CX-30 at a severe disadvantage in such a competitive market segment.

Engine size

Both engine options available for the CX-30 are four-cylinder 2.5L units; one standard and the other is turbocharged.

Gas per mileage consumption

According to the EPA, the regular version makes 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, which account for a combined total of 26 mpg. If you switch to the turbocharged version, those figures are reduced to 22 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined.

If you like the Mazda 3’s cabin, you are going to enjoy this one even more. You will be greeted with the same sleek dashboard, and the selection of colors, materials, and textures is simply wonderful – this car is comparable to the similar offerings of Lexus and Mini while costing much less. However, there is not much room; if you actually have to drive with four occupants on a regular basis, you should probably look for another model.

Driving seat

The CX-30’s driver is going to enjoy a beautiful environment with high-quality materials which is not so far from that of much more expensive rivals. Besides that, the dashboard’s design is focused on the driver. The upscale trim level uses leatherette upholstery.

Dashboard

It does a great job mimicking those of luxury compact SUVs. The CX-30 borrows the Mazda 3’s layout and offers a minimalist design with good build quality and soft-touch materials. The infotainment screen is retractable and you can operate it with a rotary knob on the center console. The list of available features includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM.

Passenger seats and extras

While the CX-30 offers more headroom than the Mazda 3 counterpart, its second seat row is still considered tight for adults. Besides, the trunk is about the same size as the 3’s.

Overall height and space

With an overall height of 61.7 in, the Mazda CX-30 offers a total volume of 94 ft³ for its five passengers, who are seated in two rows.

Trunk space

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offers 20 ft³ of room for cargo.

Few highlights here. The list of trim levels follows the pattern of its market segment by offering enough options to suit several budgets. However, it also stands out from the rest of the direct rivals by not investing in sporty or light off-road versions. While the warranty coverage is expected to be below expectations, the standard all-wheel drive is a nice surprise.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is available in the following trim levels:

The Mazda CX-30 has a pretty strong image; it does not try to emulate sportiness or heavy off-road capabilities. Therefore, the biggest differences among the trim levels concern equipment levels. The exceptions are the Turbo ones because of the upgraded powertrain, of course.

AWD/FWD

All-wheel drive is standard in this vehicle. That is quite a surprise considering the market segment and the main purpose of this car. Besides, given that AWD is usually an expensive optional item, having it as standard means one extra expenditure less.

Warranty

While specific information has not been released yet, the specialized press has reported that it will be the same as other Mazda vehicles. That allows us to estimate a limited coverage of three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain coverage of five years or 60,000 miles. There are no complimentary scheduled maintenance plans for this vehicle.