Mazda's compact CX-30 SUV is an under-rated small crossover. Jonathan Crouch reports on the latest version.

Background

Really, this car - launched back in 2020 - ought to be called the 'CX-4'. It does, after all, sit between just above the old CX-3 (no longer on sale in our market) and just below the CX-5 in Mazda's SUV line-up. Unfortunately for European zone continuity though, the 'CX-4' badge already exists in the Chinese market, where it's applied to quite a different car, so the model we're going to look at here has adopted a 'CX-30' moniker. Glad we got that cleared up. Basically what we've got here is a Crossover version of the Mazda3 family hatch - no bad thing; that's the sort of product the market wants. It features the second chapter of the brand's 'KODO' design language and a clever Skyactiv-X petrol engine we really liked when we tried it in the Mazda3. Sounds promising. Subtle updates were announced for the 2027 model year, creating the car we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

Mazda is offering a choice of two engines to CX-30 buyers, both petrol-powered and both borrowed from the Mazda3 hatch. The base unit is now a 140PS 2.5-litre e-SKYACTIV-G petrol powerplant (a mild hybrid). Compared to the previous 122PS 2.0-litre unit it replaced, this larger-capacity powerplant increases torque from 213Nm to 238Nm, so there should be a noticeable improvement in real-world performance. We'd suggest though, that you try and stretch to the alternative engine, the brand's more advanced e-SKYACTIV-X Spark Controlled Compression Ignition engine, a 180PS supercharged unit which runs on petrol but uses a combination of spark ignition and compression ignition to deliver, Mazda claims, the driver appeal of a petrol unit along with the fuel efficiency and torque of a diesel. This e-SKYACTIV-X powerplant is able to switch from compression ignition, which best suits day-to-day driving, to a form of spark ignition, generally when the engine is started from cold or the driver demands maximum power at high revs. The 'X' engine comes paired with front wheel drive or four wheel drive and either way, there's the choice of manual or automatic transmission. Mazda isn't bothering to offer the diesel powerplant that's available on this car in other markets. The drive dynamics aren't very different from those of the Mazda3 hatch, which means that they're very good indeed. It also means that this car gets the slickest-shifting manual gearbox you can have in the compact SUV segment. With both engines, there's the option of auto transmission.

Design and Build

Mazda reckons that the CX-30 combining the bold stance of an SUV with the sleek profile of a coupe, styling that's supposed to be a sophisticated evolution of the brand's KODO design philosophy. Looks are certainly one reason why you might want to consider this car. The other reason you might want to consider this model would be if you liked the Mazda3 hatch but found it lacking in terms of rear seat space and luggage room. The CX-30 certainly does better than its showroom sibling in these two regards, though legroom in the back still isn't what you'd call generous. Headspace in the rear is quite good, but the D-pillar is substantial, which darkens the interior rear half of the car quite a lot. The 430-litre boot is a big improvement on the limited trunk you get in the Mazda3, a substantial 135-litres bigger. Mind you, it's still quite a bit smaller than the space you'd get in something like a comparably-priced BMW X1. As in the Mazda3, the front-of-cabin experience is impressive, with a digital instrument cluster display and a big, clear 8.8-inch screen on top of the dash nicely angled towards the driver. And there's a lower rotary controller for it so you don't have to stab away at inexact touchscreen functionality in the kind of way that's necessary with many rival set-ups.

Market and Model

CX-30 prices sit in the £27,000-£40,000 bracket, spread across six trim levels, 'Prime-Line', 'Centre-Line', 'Homura', 'Homura Plus', 'Exclusive-Line' and 'Takumi'. Every version features a colour windscreen projecting head-up display, radar cruise control and LED headlights. With a choice of eight exterior colours, 'Prime-Line' and 'Centre-Line' cars feature 16-inch grey metallic wheels, while from 'Homura'-spec onwards, 18-inch wheels are standard. 'Homura Plus'-spec has been introduced for the 2027 model year, adding upgraded lighting, enhanced comfort equipment and refined interior finishes. Inside, premium dark grey cloth with navy blue accents is standard, as is a 7-inch TFT instrument display. So is an 8.8-inch central infotainment screen incorporating Navigation, an 8-speaker DAB audio system and 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. There's also radar cruise control and Intelligent Speed Assist, which can adapt your velocity according to posted speed limits. 'Takumi' models feature black leather seat trim with rich brown accents. From 'Exclusive-Line' upwards, there's a 12-speaker Bose surround set-up. And 'Takumi'-spec gets you a 360-degree View Monitor camera system. To further improve active safety, the upgraded Smart Brake Support set-up fitted across the range now includes improved detection capabilities, including motorcycle recognition and enhanced support at intersections. System integration has also been improved, while further developments to the Adaptive LED Headlights enhance visibility and reduce glare for other road users.

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the figures. The base petrol e-SKYACTIV-G engine manages 47.1mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and 135g/km of CO2. Or 44.1mpg and 143g/km as an auto. We'd recommend you try and stretch to the more powerful but, conversely, more economic e-SKYACTIV-X petrol unit, which in 2WD form improves that showing to 49.6mpg and 129g/km as a manual or 46.3mpg and 137g/km as an auto. This same e-SKYACTIV-X petrol engine also comes with AWD. In this guise, it manages 45.6mpg and 138g/km as a manual or 42.8mpg and 147g/km as an auto. We should also mention the warranty, the usual unremarkable three year / 60,000 mile package. If you want to extend that, you can do so via optional 'Essential', 'Elite' and 'Complete' plans. Included in the standard package is a three year paintwork warranty and 12 years of anti-perforation cover. In addition, there's a 'Mazda Accident Aftercare' scheme which sees the company liaise with your insurer after an accident, making sure that you have access to a courtesy car if you need one and ensuring that all repairs are carried out to full Mazda standards.

Summary

The CX-30 continues to make a reasonable case for itself in an increasingly crowded segment. It lacks a premium badge on the bonnet of course, but then it also lacks the kind of inflated prices you'd pay from premium brand contenders in this market space. Plus under the bonnet of an e-SKYACTIV-X variant, there's arguably the cleverest petrol engine you can have in the compact SUV segment, delivering an enticing combination of very sprightly performance and diesel-like economy. Yes, there are more practical choices in this market segment. And arguably, there are also more fashionably-styled ones. But our overall impression of the CX-30 is of a very complete and thoughtfully-positioned package. Add it to your lengthening shopping list if you're in search of a car of this kind.