2020 Mazda CX-30 Review

Introducing the world’s newest cross-over, the 2020 Mazda CX-30, which is based on the latest generation Mazda3 sedan/hatchback. Although our observant car enthusiast friends may notice this vehicle looks very similar to Mazda’s Chinese offering of the CX-4, which was introduced at the Beijing Motor Show in 2016. A friend of mine sent me a picture of the CX-4 a few years ago when he was visiting the country and I thought it was a cool looking vehicle and Mazda should bring it here.

I’m not really sure why Mazda didn’t call the CX-30 the CX-4, because it slots in between the CX-3 and CX-5. According to Mazda it’s because they didn’t want it to be confused with the Chinese market CX-4, but aren’t the Mazda3 and other Mazda vehicles called the same names in all markets around the world? Unless it’s because the CX-30 is based on the new Mazda3 platform, which is different from the CX-4’s old platform?

Whatever the reason may be, there’s now another CUV available to the consumers, who can’t seem to get enough of these types of vehicles. The CX-30 is Mazda’s take on the “4-door coupe CUV thing”, a market which the European luxury carmakers seem to have cornered.

2020 Mazda CX-30 Prices

Like other Mazda vehicles, the CX-30 comes in GX, GS, and GT trims with two different engine options and FWD or AWD. Unlike the Mazda3, which it’s based on, the CX-30 isn’t offered with a manual transmission, the only available transmission is a 6-speed automatic.

“Luxury Package”, available on the GS trim for $1,950, adds leatherette trimmed upholstery, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, power glass moon roof, auto-dimming rear view mirror.

2020 Mazda CX-30 Engine & Specs

Like the Mazda3, the CX-30 is offered with two engines: a 2.0-liter or a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder SKYACTIV-G. The 2.0-liter engine produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 2.5-liter engine produces 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Both of these engines come with direct injection and are mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions.

The SKYACTIV-G 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine is only offered on the base GX trim while the 2.5-liter engine is offered on the GS and GT trims. The i-Activ AWD is optional on the GX and GS trims and is standard on the GT Trim. Our review vehicle was the 2020 CX-30 GT, which came with the bigger engine and the AWD as standard.

Driving

The Mazda CX-30 is the crossover version of the Mazda3, so knowing that you’d expect it to be a pretty fun to drive CUV, and you wouldn’t be wrong. The Mazda CX-30 is quite fun to drive, as much fun as a CUV can be.

Powering our review car was the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 186 HP and 186 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough to motivate this sporty CUV. In city driving the CX-30 is peppy and takes off from stops in a decently quick manner. Merging onto highways is a breeze in normal mode and putting it in the “sport” mode does give it a bit of sporty feel. The steering also feels pretty sporty and the suspension is comfortable yet firm, you won’t feel the body rolling as much as the average CUV.

Styling

I personally like the way the Mazda CX-30 looks, in fact, I’m a fan of all of Mazda’s current offerings. The CX-30 is quite stylish and has a premium look, it is a bit more conservative than the Mazda3, but overall, it’s a very good-looking vehicle. The styling keeps the design language of the rest of Mazda’s lineup, with sharp headlights and a curvy body.

My only dislike of the styling is the overuse of plastic on the outside, which wasn’t very apparent on our grey CX-30, it’s more noticeable on other colors. I get Mazda wants us to think this vehicle can go off-roading, therefore you need the plastics to protect the metal from getting scratched by bushes and rocks, but I highly-highly doubt any of these vehicles will ever see an unpaved road.

Interior

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Mazda makes the best looking/feeling interiors of all the non-luxury brands. The interior is an exact replica of the Mazda3’s, which is a good thing. Have a look at my first review of the new Mazda3 from early 2019 to see my thoughts on the interior.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed my time with the 2020 Mazda CX-30, more so than most cross-overs. I think the Mazda CX-30 fits perfectly between the CX-3 and the CX-5, it’s a sporty alternative to the boring CUV and does have a decent amount of space.

For more information on the 2020 Mazda CX-30 and other Mazda vehicles, visit mazda.ca.

2020 Mazda CX-30 Review Photo Gallery