Mazda CX-30 Review (2024)

Introduction

We get the dilemma. Your head tells you that you need to lease a small family hatchback, but your heart tells you that you should lease an SUV.

There is good news, as the Mazda CX-30 effectively lets you have both.

SUVs are no longer just gas-guzzling Chelsea Tractors built for rough terrain but will never actually see the countryside. The popularity of them has exploded in recent years, and they now come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

The sort of middle-ground is where a conventional car and an SUV meet – called the ‘crossover’.

While the term has expanded beyond its original meaning in recent years, it still nicely explains the CX-30. It is too big to be a family hatchback, too small to be considered a true SUV, but it’s a happy middle ground between the two.

The CX-30 is based on the Mazda 3, which is a mid-sized hatchback perfect for families that want something smart without breaking the bank.

It is one of the smallest SUVs you can lease, and although it's 10cm taller than the Mazda 3, it's actually 7cm shorter.

But is it worth leasing?

That is what we’re aiming to find out here.

At a Glance

The CX-30 looks imposing from the front.

The Japanese vehicle features a wide, mesh-like grille with a chrome surround that extends outwards from the sides to complement two thinned-out, mean-looking headlights.

There is not much else to say about it, really. But then it doesn’t need anything else, as the grille dominates the front end and gives it a very imposing stance.

Around the sides, the CX-30’s SUV credentials become more apparent, with thick, grey cladding surrounding the wheel arches and the area underneath the doors.

The rear features a simple design, featuring taillights which taper inwards.

The chrome Mazda logo is in the middle, along with a sizeable indentation for the rear number plate. The registration plate sits above a cladded rear bumper and a single exhaust pipe on each side.

Overall, the Mazda CX-30's looks are nothing special or overly complicated, yet they appear to be stunningly beautiful.

And that’s the point: Mazda’s brilliance has always been in its simplicity.

If the CX-30’s aesthetics are anything to go by, we can see exactly why.

Key Features

There are five trim levels available on the CX-30, known as ‘grades’.

The entry-level is Prime-Line, which features 16-inch grey alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio and SatNav, a seven-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display. Plus, the model features premium dark grey cloth upholstery, air conditioning, six speakers and a reversing camera.

Next, the CX-30 Centre-Line gets heated front seats, eight speakers, cruise control, LED headlights, an engine start/stop button, and keyless entry.

The mid-range Homura vaunts 18-inch black alloy wheels, red stitching on the front seats, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, a gloss black front grille, a powered tailgate and privacy glass.

The Exclusive-Line boasts a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, radar-guided cruise control, adaptive LED headlights, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, and a reversing camera.

And the top-of-the-range Takumi has black leather upholstery, a heated leather-bound steering wheel with paddle shifters, and a 360-degree camera.

Two engines are offered, both of which are 2.0-litre petrol units, and both of which are available with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

There is the e-SkyActiv G, which produces 122PS with front-wheel drive, while the e-SkyActiv X unleashes 186PS and is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

However, only the e-SkyActiv G with the manual gearbox is offered on the entry-level Prime-Line grade, while the all-wheel drive version of the CX-30 e-SkyActiv X is only obtainable on the top-of-the-range Takumi trim.

We are testing the mid-range Homura trim.

Performance & Drive

Deciding which internal combustion engine to go for takes a lot of work.

The entry-level e-SkyActiv G seems a little underpowered at 122PS, while the e-SkyActiv X produces a more capable 186PS. Both units feel a little lacking in terms of acceleration at lower revs, although both seem smooth and well-refined.

Zero to 62mph takes a chilled 10.6 seconds with the entry-level power unit and 8.3 seconds with the more potent variant (8.6 seconds if you opt for all-wheel drive).

In reality, the best option depends on what you need the CX-30 for. No shocks, Sherlock!

If it's going to be primarily an around-town runabout, then the entry-level CX-30 should suffice. But if you drive on faster roads regularly, you may feel you'll benefit from the additional clout of the e-SkyActiv X, even though it costs extra to lease.

Either petrol engine makes only a little noise unless you hammer it, although if you're trying to overtake on a motorway in the e-SkyActiv G, you'll find you have to push it harder than the higher-powered variant.

Road and wind noise are reasonably well soundproofed, though, which adds to the refinement of the driving experience.

While the automatic gearbox is tempting for its convenience and smoothness, it can feel a little hesitant when you press the accelerator – and Mazda produces some very impressive manual transmissions, too.

The same is true of the CX-30, with the gear lever having a very nice throw, which is sufficient for us to choose it over the automatic.

Another Mazda trademark is that it tends to set its cars up with stiffer suspension to aid handling, but this usually means sacrificing ride comfort instead.

That said, no Mazda we've driven recently has been uncomfortable, and the CX-30 is no exception. It offers a reasonably firm but still satisfactorily absorbing ride. However, it offers less protection over potholes than some of its rivals.

Nevertheless, the CX-30 feels poised, settled, and well-planted, and the body roll is well-contained when taking it around bends. This is helped by the steering, which weights up well around corners and offers a level of precision that beats some of its competitors.

The CX-30 is no performance car, though. Understeer will greet anyone who pushes a little too hard, and you don't have to make the Mazda sweat very much to find the limits of its grip. It simply isn’t designed to take corners at speed.

We would likely choose ride comfort over handling, so we'd go for the Prime-Line or Centre-Line trims to benefit from the added absorbency you'll get if you select a set of smaller alloys. However, you can change to different-size wheels with any trim level.

There seems to be little point in choosing an all-wheel drive version unless you live in the sticks and really need it, as the only other benefit over added grip is reduced fuel consumption.

Running Costs & Emissions

The exact fuel economy and emissions figures of the CX-30 will vary slightly depending on which trim you lease.

However, in the mid-range Homura grade, the lower-powered e-SkyActiv G engine returns 47.9mpg and 134g/km of CO2 with the manual and 44.8mpg and 143g/km of CO2 with the automatic.

The higher-powered e-SkyActiv X will provide 50.4mpg and release 127g/km of CO2 with the manual and 46.3mpg and 137g/km of CO2 with the automatic.

Those are reasonably notable figures.

The biggest downside to the Mazda CX-30 is the lack of hybrid variants, which essentially makes it unviable as a company car.

Nowadays, The Benefit-in-kind tax is decided based on emissions, so you need to consider a plug-in hybrid at minimum to make the most savings.

As a brand, Mazda is reasonably reliable nowadays, although not as highly regarded as the likes of fellow East Asian brands Kia, Toyota, Hyundai and Honda.

Interior & Technology

The CX-30 features a very nice-looking interior, which has become a strength of many Mazda cars in recent years.

The cabin has a clean design. It has a silver strip running along the width of the dashboard and around the far air vent on the passenger side, as well as on the gear lever and its surrounds and on each dial.

Even the switches and dials feel well-damped, adding to the premium feel, while there are plenty of soft-to-the-touch, swanky materials throughout.

The 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen peers up from the dashboard, although it doesn't sit above the upholstery very much and may even obstruct your view of the bottom of the display if you’re short.

This seems wholly avoidable, given there's so much blank space on the dashboard, which could easily accommodate a cutout to make the screen far more prominent.

It is even more surprising given this cutout feature is incorporated into the Mazda 3, on which the CX-30 is based.

Nevertheless, the system is impressive, with a responsive interface that’s intuitively laid out with easy-to-navigate menus.

As with all Mazdas, the touchscreen only operates when the car is stationary. However, when you're on the move, you can control it with a convenient rotary dial instead.

Even better, physical controls are retained for the climate control system, bucking the trend among motor manufacturers who seem intent on combining the controls into a sub-menu of the infotainment screen.

There is also a head-up display, which projects various readings, such as SatNav directions, speed and the current speed limit, right in your view.

If you pull the trigger on leasing the Exclusive-Line trim or above, you’ll get a Bose premium sound system and adaptive LED headlights. These lights allow you to drive with your main beam on without dazzling other drivers.

Overall, especially considering the price of the CX-30, it's a very impressive interior that screams quality at an affordable leasing rate.

Boot Space & Practicality

If you’re leasing the Mazda CX-30 for the high driving position of an SUV, you’re likely to be disappointed.

In all honesty, the interior layout feels more at home in a saloon car – and it feels like you’re driving one – or possibly a normal family hatchback.

Nevertheless, the seats are very comfortable, and both they and the steering wheel can be adjusted to a suitable driving position.

Alas, adjustable lumbar support is only available in the Exclusive-Line and Takumi models.

Visibility-wise, it's reasonably good out of the front, as the CX-30's front pillars are kept as thin as possible. This makes it easier to look for oncoming traffic at junctions or when travelling around sharp bends.

It is not so good looking back, though, as the sharply-angled rear windscreen makes the opening small. However, rearward visibility isn’t as restricted compared with some rivals.

Besides which, rear parking sensors are included across the range, while all models except for entry-level Prime-Line also get front parking sensors.

The middle three trims feature a rear-view camera, while the top-of-the-range Takumi gets an upgrade to a surround-view camera included in the price.

In the front, there's enough space to accommodate even the tallest of passengers, and it's wide enough that you shouldn't be banging shoulders with a front-seat passenger.

Happily, it's a similar story in the CX-30’s back, too. It is large enough to fit two adults next to each other without compromising on leg room, headroom, or shoulder space.

There is a slope in the Mazda’s roofline, however, which does reduce headroom slightly, but not enough that it’s likely to cause you an issue.

To avoid doubt, there are three rear seats, but a trio of adults in the rear are likely to be a tight squeeze and unsuitable for longer journeys.

The rear doors aren’t the biggest, which makes getting in and out a challenge if you have a larger frame or aren't mobile.

The CX-30's boot space is 430 litres, which is about average compared to most of its foes.

This room expands to 1,406 litres with the rear seats folded down (1,398 litres if you have the Bose sound system installed) in a 60/40 split, while the boot floor is height adjustable as standard on all models.

You will find plenty of storage spaces inside the cabin, with reasonably-sized door bins, two cupholders in the front and a large cubby under the centre console.

Safety

Safety specialists Euro NCAP put the Mazda CX-30 through extensive crash testing in 2019, earning it a full five-star rating.

Although the testing criteria have become more rigorous since then, that doesn't take the shine off, as the CX-30 earned a staggering 99% rating for adult occupants.

It also attained 86% for children and 77% for safety assists.

All CX-30 models come with a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, emergency stop signalling, high beam control, hill launch assist, and blind spot monitoring. You also get rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, dynamic stability control, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, tyre pressure monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

You will need to upgrade to the Centre-Line trim to get front parking sensors, while only the top-of-the-tree Takumi trim gets a 360-degree surround view camera.

Options

Mazda tends to offer a wide range of optional extras – and the CX-30 is no exception.

The body colour is 'arctic white' by default, but if you're happy to fork out extra, bright red, grey, dark grey, snowflake white, ceramic white, platinum quartz, zircon sand, dark blue and jet black are also offered as alternatives.

Accessories include boot mats, tow bars, key fob covers, cycle racks, and roof boxes.

Exterior styling elements, such as skirts, bumper step plates and illuminated door sills, are all there for the taking, too.

There is also a selection of various sizes and designs of alloy wheels and a wireless phone charger.

Rival Cars

With the SUV market exploding in recent years, there are a whole bunch of alternative cars to the Mazda CX-30.

The Volkswagen T-Roc, the Seat Arona, the Skoda Kamiq, the Hyundai Kona, the Toyota C-HR, and the Ford Puma are worth considering.

The Puma, in particular, is superbly practical, while the Citroen C3 Aircross is also worth contemplating for its excellent levels of comfort if that’s important to you.

If you're looking for a step up in quality, the BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40 are also worth leasing instead.

Verdict & Next Steps

The Mazda CX-30 makes a good case for itself and has lots going in its favour.

The CX-30's petrol engines are reasonably economical, while a nice interior and a generous level of standard equipment means you're getting good value for money, significantly lower down the range.

However, while this Mazda’s handling isn't bad, some of its challengers are better to drive, while others can beat it for practicality.

We think the Homura trim is overkill, as even the entry-level Prime-Line comes with lots of standard equipment, although Centre-Line adds a few useful features.

The engines, despite being on the large size for 2024, seem a bit short on grunt, especially at low revs.

On that note, the CX-30 is a very tempting leasing proposition if you stick with the entry-level engine and the lower trim levels.

Where to next?

View latest Mazda CX-30 lease deals - from just £265 per month inc VAT**.

Call us on 0118 3048 688 or hit the green 'Enquire' button for more details.

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Mazda CX-30.

**Correct as of 10/04/2024. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £2,384.55 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.