Mazda CX-30 2021 Review

If you're drawn to small SUVs for their convenience and versatility but find their size or price to be a little too excessive, the extra-small SUV class may be a perfect fit. At the top of that class is the 2021 Mazda CX-30. It squeezes between the smaller CX-3 and larger CX-5 in Mazda's SUV lineup. (Why the company's marketers just didn't call it the CX-4, we'll never know.)

The CX-30 satisfies all of the usual requirements of comfort, safety and technology, and it pulls ahead with its sharp style, interior refinement and spunky performance. Further driving home the CX-30's penchant for behind-the-wheel fun is the newly available turbocharged engine. With up to 250 horsepower on tap, the CX-30 2.5 Turbo is one of the quickest models in its class.

With this kind of broad appeal, it's no surprise we rank the CX-30 higher than other tiny SUVs that include the Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating for more in-depth evaluation on this year's CX-30.

What's it like to live with?

We were so impressed by the Mazda CX-30 when it debuted in 2020 that we added one to our long-term test program. That means we're driving and testing it over the course of a full year and reporting on everything from performance to reliability. Check out our coverage to learn more about what it's like owning a CX-30.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is an extra-small SUV with seating for five. It's available in 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, 2.5 Turbo Premium and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim levels. Feature highlights include:

2.5 SThe CX-30 in base 2.5 S comes respectably equipped with:

• 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 horsepower, 186 lb-ft of torque)
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• 8.8-inch infotainment display
• Remote vehicle monitoring and control
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Eight-speaker audio system

Every CX-30 also comes with:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Drowsy driver monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
• Automatic high beams

Select For a modest price increase, the Select trim adds some comfort and convenience with features such as:

• 18-inch wheels
• Keyless entry
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Center armrest for rear passengers
• Tinted rear windows
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

Preferred The Preferred trim gives you a taste of the more luxurious Premium trim without breaking the bank. It has the Select's features plus:

• Sunroof
• Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory functions
• Heated front seats

Premium The Premium trim is the nicest CX-30 you can get with the standard engine. It has the Preferred trim's features as well as:

• Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Power liftgate
• Roof rails
• Paddle shifters
• Leather upholstery
• Navigation system
• 12-speaker Bose premium audio system
• Satellite radio
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Traffic sign reader

2.5 Turbo It comes equipped with the features of the Preferred trim plus:

• Turbocharged 2.5-liter engine (227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with 93 octane fuel)
• Standard all-wheel drive
• Roof rails
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

2.5 Turbo Premium This trim bundles the turbocharged powertrain with the features of the Premium trim.

2.5 Turbo Premium Plus The Premium Plus trim is only offered with the turbocharged engine and tops off the features list with:

• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Rear cross-traffic with automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Traffic Jam Assist (enhanced adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist at speeds under 40 mph)