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 Grey

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.

TrimDriveEngineMSRP
GXFWD2.0-liter 4-cylinder$23,950
GXAWD2.0-liter 4-cylinder$25,950
GSFWD2.5-liter 4-cylinder$26,650
GSAWD2.5-liter 4-cylinder$28,650
GTAWD2.5-liter 4-cylinder33,850

“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

2020 Mazda CX-30 exterior

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

2020 Mazda CX-30 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.

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2020 Mazda CX-30 exterior
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Faisal

Faisal is the cofounder and automotive photographer at Unfinished Man. He provides insider perspectives on the latest rides through his acclaimed photography. Faisal also serves as the site's watch expert, staying on the pulse of emerging timepieces. His seasoned eye for men's lifestyle products makes him an authoritative voice.

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