2025 Mazda CX-30

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-30 a Good SUV?

"The CX-30 unabashedly lacks backseat and cargo space compared to the roomiest SUVs in this segment. Are you cool with that? If so, you might love this Mazda otherwise. It drives more like a sporty hatchback than an SUV, especially if you pony up for the turbo engine — but even the base engine is more than adequate in such a small vehicle. Also, the interior feels more sophisticated than you'd expect at this price."—Ranked #5 out of 18 Subcompact SUVs

Which 2025 Mazda CX-30 Should I Buy?

MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Mazda CX-30 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

1. 2025 Mazda CX-30 2.5 All-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $24,995
• MPG Combined: 29
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 191 
• Torque: 186 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 7.6 sec
• Weight: 3,419 lbs
• Length: 173.0 in
• Towing Capacity: N/A

It's remarkable how similar the base CX-30 is to the all-wheel-drive Mazda 3 hatchback when you look at the numbers. The powertrain is exactly the same, as are the fuel economy estimates, and the dimensions are similar as well. But the CX-30 gives you a healthy 8.0 inches of ground clearance along with its elevated seating position, so we can understand why it's so popular. At $25k to start — a few grand cheaper than the AWD Mazda 3 hatch — it's a heck of a deal.

2. 2025 Mazda CX-30 2.5T All-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $32,940
• MPG Combined: 25
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Turbocharged
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 250 
• Torque: 320 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 5.8 sec
• Weight: 3,527 lbs
• Length: 173.0 in
• Towing Capacity: N/A

The CX-30 turbo doesn't come cheap, at least not compared to the base CX-30, which costs almost eight grand less to start. But the turbo motor transforms the CX-30's acceleration from adequate to pretty awesome. If you think of the turbocharged CX-30 as an entry-level luxury SUV without the fancy badge, the pricing makes a lot more sense.