A near-luxury subcompact SUV
When most buyers think of Mazda, they probably don’t think of it as a luxury brand. Instead, they may think of the Mazdas from the old days, which featured hard plastics and cloth seats. Nowadays, the Japanese automaker has slotted itself in between being the mainstream brand of yesteryear and being a surprisingly luxurious brand that sets itself apart from rivals like Honda and Toyota.
Mazda
This luxurious approach has given Mazda a different kind of appeal, as its vehicles, like the CX-30, give buyers a touch of elegance without a sky-high price tag. The Mazda CX-30 is a prime example because it’s a small SUV with an upscale interior and a choice of potent powertrains. It has a level of refinement that rivals in its class do not, but it’s not perfect. Here are four clear wins that come with choosing the Mazda CX-30, in addition to a few red flags to look out for.
Reason to Love it #1: An Interior from a class above
After admiring the 2025 Mazda CX-30’s elegant exterior styling, which is filled with plenty of subtle, eye-pleasing curves, you will surely be taken aback when you sit inside it. The CX-30’s interior is handsome and well-crafted, so much so that anyone could think they were sitting in a far more expensive car. The overall design has a minimalistic feel, and its simplicity makes it easy to understand.
Mazda
For instance, the infotainment display sits in the center of the dashboard and is controlled by a knob on the center console. The climate controls sit front and center, and every button is easy to read and reach. Opting for the higher trim levels also unlocks premium leather upholstery that’s soft to the touch with a richness that you wouldn’t expect from a Mazda.
Reason to love it #2: Potent powertrains
Under the hood of the 2025 Mazda CX-30 is one of two powertrains. The base engine is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It puts out 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque and achieves up to 29 mpg combined.
Mazda
It’s a good engine for daily commuting, but those who want more power should invest in the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine of upper trim levels that produces a whopping 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel. Using a lower octane reduces those numbers to 227 and 310, respectively. That turbocharged engine is also capable of up to 25 mpg combined, so its fuel economy is still respectable.
Reason to love it #3: Lots of standard features
The Mazda CX-30 comes well-equipped right out of the box. Some of the most notable standard features include an all-wheel-drive system, LED headlights, radar cruise control, a six-speaker audio system, an 8.8-inch infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The base model comes with cloth seats, but those who want the finer things in life can opt for the higher-trim models.
Mazda
The CX-30 Select trim and above come with leatherette or full-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, a larger infotainment system, wireless smartphone integration, and a premium Bose audio system.
Reason to love it #4: Sporty driving dynamics
Speaking of driving, the CX-30 boasts the sporty driving dynamics that the brand has always been known for. Its sharp steering and nimble handling make it a joy to drive on winding roads, but its suspension is still comfortable enough to soak up road imperfections. While a car like this could be more fun with a manual transmission, the given powertrains, especially the turbocharged variant, make for a lively driving experience.
Mazda
Reason to think twice #1: Annoying infotainment controls
Although the Mazda CX-30 is enjoyable to drive and comes equipped with the latest tech, its infotainment system is not the easiest to use. As stated, a rotary dial controls the infotainment screen, which may not seem that bad, but users will quickly notice how clunky the system is.
Navigating through the menus requires a spin and click of the dial, which may seem innocuous at first. However, doing this while driving takes skill and necessitates taking your eyes off the road. It gets annoying after a while, and most drivers will wonder why Mazda didn’t just make the infotainment a full touchscreen from the get-go. Interestingly, the infotainment screen is touch-sensitive, but only at lower speeds or when parked.
Zac Palmer
Reason to think twice #2: Elevated pricing structure
While it’s great that the 2025 Mazda CX-30 looks and feels like it’s from a more premium brand, that panache comes at a price. The CX-30 starts at $25,195 and tops out at $37,150 for the highest trim level. When adding more options to that top trim, its price can easily eclipse the $40,000 mark, which makes it more expensive than its competitors.
By comparison, competitors like the Buick Envista start at $24,795 and top out at around $30,000. It’s the same story for the premium-looking Volkswagen Taos, which starts at $24,995 and ends at around $35,000 for the highest trim level. If you’re the type of buyer who likes all the bells and whistles, you’re going to have to pay for them when choosing the Mazda CX-30.
Buick
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for an upscale subcompact SUV that is loaded with features and power while wrapping you in a surprising amount of luxury, the 2025 Mazda CX-30 is a good choice. However, if its pricing structure is a little out of your league or the infotainment controls seem needlessly annoying, then rivals like the Buick Envista, Volkswagen Taos, or Honda HR-V could better suit your budget.