Mazda CX-30 2020 review

The CX-30 design is essentially a taller, less dramatic version of the latest Kodo looks sported by the new Mazda3 hatch, with vast expanses of unpainted plastic lining its lower surfaces and wheelarches to manage visual weight and disguise its more upright body. 

The CX-30 design is the work of Ryo Yanagisawa.

The design is the work of Ryo Yanagisawa, whose previous credits include the current Mazda2 and the still very ‘Nagare’ looking BT-50 as it first appeared in 2010.

The CX-30 is the second model of a new generation of Mazdas after the new Mazda3, and demonstrates Mazda’s new human-centred approach to development. This also seems to mean a better balance of practicality with design aesthetics - which is pretty important for an SUV.

In terms of size, it’s 125mm longer and 20mm wider than a CX-3, but still a full 150mm shorter and 45mm narrower than a CX-5.

The interior is a continuation of Mazda3 themes, with complex shapes and quality feel materials giving it a much more upper class air than either of the existing SUVs.

The interior features quality materials, giving the CX-30 an upper class air.

But to our eyes very little is shared with the Mazda3, unlike the CX-3 which uses the whole dash of the Mazda2.

This is where the CX-30 is set to really shine, with interior dimensions much closer to the CX-5 than its exterior.  

A key design goal was to fit four 184cm (6ft) adults comfortably, which you’ll likely manage in a CX-3 but it won’t necessarily be comfortable.

Much of this comes from a wheelbase just 45mm shorter than a CX-5, and explains the relatively stubby tail. 

The back seat also thankfully features directional air vents and a centre armrest with cupholders (in the high spec version we drove), plus two ISOFIX child seat points, bottleholders in the doors to match those up front and a further two cupholders in the front centre console.

The back seat features directional air vents and a centre armrest with cupholders.

Another interesting detail is that the front seats are as far apart as a CX-5 despite the CX-30 body being 45mm narrower, to add to the perception of spaciousness. 

The boot is also much closer to CX-5 than CX-3, and has been designed to accommodate a full-size baby pram and more. This will be great news for anyone who’s tried the same with a CX-3 and found it won’t even accommodate an umbrella stroller. 

The boot has been designed to accommodate a full-size baby pram and more.

A squarer load opening is also complemented by a generous cargo floor width of 1020mm.

We only know Euro-spec 430L VDA boot capacity for now, which doesn’t have a space saver spare under the boot floor. This is within 47L of the also spare-free European CX-5, so based on the Australian CX-5 figure of 442L VDA, so we expect a final figure of around 395L VDA. Given your standard Woolies trolley will carry 211L, the CX-30 is sounding good.  

Mazda sees the CX-30 as suiting young couples with a view to carrying their first child. That vision certainly feels on the money, but we look forward to testing how much room is left ahead of a rear-facing child seat when it arrives on our shores. 

Mazda is yet to confirm pricing and specifications for Australian CX-30s, but bank on it overlapping the CX-3 and CX-5 line-ups with a similar (if not identical) array of trim levels as the new 3.

This means it’s likely to come with a bunch of safety stuff not even available on quite a few of its rivals, so even if it sits higher up the price scale like the new Mazda3, it’ll likely still be a decent value argument.

You can also count on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity within the multimedia system.

You can also count on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity within the multimedia system, as with all new Mazda’s launched since the latest CX-9 update in September 2018.

Mazda is also yet to confirm local drivetrain options, but we’d be surprised if it didn’t mimic the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol options of the new Mazda3. A Skyactiv-X flagship option is also expected, but not right away. 

Mazda is also yet to confirm local drivetrain options.

So this means the familiar 114kW/200Nm Skyactiv-G 2.0 and139kW/252Nm 2.5 which now features fuel-saving cylinder deactivation.

Mazda is also expected to continue the Mazda3’s industry-bucking trend of offering six-speed manual and auto versions across trim levels, but spreading this further with a choice of two or all-wheel drive.

This is another area still awaiting clarification for Australia, but I’d expect the combined figures to be pretty close to the Mazda3 hatch. 

So figure on just above 6.0L/100km for the 2.0-litre with either transmission, and just above 6.5L/100km for the 2.5 version, and both will no doubt carry on Mazda’s traditional ability to do its best on the cheaper Regular 91 RON unleaded. 

Anyone who’s driven the new Mazda3 will not be surprised by the CX-30, but pretty much anyone else is likely to be blown away. 

This new platform is such a big step over the old one in terms of refinement and overall comfort, which still underpins the CX-3 and CX-5. 

Aside from being marginally taller, it really just feels like you’re driving a new 3 with better driver visibility because of the thinner C-pillars and taller windows all round. 

There’s also a sense of substance well beyond what you feel behind the wheel of a CX-3, which probably comes from having the front seats as far apart as a CX-5. 

There’s a sense of substance you feel when behind the wheel.

We only had the chance to drive the detuned mild-hybrid version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine and 1.8-litre diesel available in Europe, so can’t really speak to the CX-30’s drivetrain performance. 

But given the similar size and weight to the new Mazda3, I expect the likely 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol versions to offer the same flavours of capable and that much more capable that we’re used to.

Given Mazda’s recent track record with safety, I’d be very surprised if the CX-30 scrimped on safety gear, and even more surprised if it didn’t wind up with the maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP. 

I’d also expect airbag coverage for both rows of seats, front and rear AEB, front and rear cross-traffic alerts, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring.

Like all new Mazdas, the recently upgraded five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty will apply to the CX-30.

The CX-30 has a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty.

Likewise with capped price servicing for the first five years or 50,000km, but pricing is yet to be confirmed. If the mechanical package mimics the Mazda3 as expected, the CX-30 will likely carry the same 12month/10,000km intervals and similar service costs of just under $2000 over five years regardless of engine.