2025 MAZDA CX-30 TURBO PREMIUM PLUS

The CX-30 is the Japanese automaker’s smallest SUV, and while it offers the same upscale feel as its larger stablemates, it doesn’t do it by sacrificing the sporty driving dynamics that the brand is known for. I spent a week with the Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus and came away impressed with its composed driving dynamics, comfortable ride, and accommodating interior. 

Exterior 

Mazda’s Kodo design language lives on in the CX-30 as it has a sleek and sophisticated style from front to rear. The CX-30 has curved lines, a bold grille, and an overall clean look that makes it stand out from the rest the pack. However, I must note that while my tester’s Snowflake White paint job did make it look classy, it helped it blend in with other white Mazdas in nearly every parking lot I parked it in. 

This resulted in me walking up to a different car three times, thinking that it was my test car. Of course, these instances were user error, but I recommend choosing one of the other eight available colors if you want it to stand out. Regardless, the CX-30 has a classy look with LED taillights, 18-inch wheels, and black trim pieces. Also, if you need convenience, the CX-30 has a power rear liftgate that makes loading and unloading cargo a breeze. 

Interior 

Sit inside the Mazda CX-30 and you will likely forget that you’re in a compact SUV. My test car for the week was outfitted with a white leather interior, which gave the cabin a very upscale appeal. Keep in mind that it was the top trim level, so it also had every power feature Mazda offers. That includes power-adjustable, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. 

The front seats were comfortable and supportive and the rear seats were accommodating as well. Despite the CX-30’s compact cabin, there was a couple inches of space sitting behind my preferred driving position, but the middle seat was cramped and should only be used by small children. There is also a decent amount of headroom back there, but tall passengers may feel squished. 

Powertrain and Driving Impressions

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus is motivated by a turbocharged 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that cranks out up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when it’s fueled by 91-octane fuel or higher. With all that power, the CX-30 is fun and fast, which makes highway merges and darting in and out of traffic very easy. However, I will note that it takes a second to get the engine going upon acceleration. I’m not sure if that’s due to turbo lag or the six-speed automatic transmission, but it’s a bit of a hinderance during stop-and-go driving, nonetheless. 

However, once the car gets going, the turbocharged engine moves it along nicely. And when it’s time to turn, the CX-30’s standard all-wheel-drive system allows it to grip the road, giving you plenty of confidence no matter what kind of road you’re on. When putting the car through its paces, I definitely enjoyed its spry handling characteristics and sharp steering, which make it feel like a sporty car as opposed to an SUV. When driving on normal roads, the CX-30 felt well-composed, but a little stiff when driving over road imperfections. Fortunately, its ride quality isn’t jarring, but it’s not luxury-smooth either. 

Technology

Tech-wise, Mazda did not cut any corners with the CX-30. There is an 8.8-inch infotainment screen that sits in the middle of the dashboard and is controlled by a rotary knob on the center console. I will keep saying this until Mazda changes it, but I am not a fan of this setup. The rotary knob is cumbersome to use while driving and makes you take your eyes off the road to click through the menus in the infotainment system. Mazda, please install a touchscreen in your cars, thank you. 

Otherwise, the CX-30 has all the entertainment you need, including a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers, a wireless phone charging dock, and a some USB ports for charging. Of course, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are present, as is an on-board navigation system.

Fuel Economy 

With all of its power, the CX-30 is still very fuel-efficient. The EPA estimates that the turbocharged model can achieve up to 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, with 25 mpg combined. During my week of driving, I averaged 22 mpg, which is a little lower than the EPA average, but I have a heavy right foot sometimes and mostly drive short distances, which could have attributed to that figure. 

Safety

Mazda packed the CX-30 with plenty of safety features. It has adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors, which keeps the car out of harm’s way. There is also a 360-degree camera, which makes parking the car very easy. The traffic-jam assist is a handy feature for stop-and-go traffic, and the car’s Smart Brake Support steps in to avoid collisions. It’s like have an extra layer of security every time you drive. 

Summary

Ultimately, the 2025 Mazda CX-30 is an excellent choice among other rivals in its class, particularly cars like the Honda HR-V, Volkswagen Taos, and Toyota Corolla Cross. I feel like the CX-30 beats out the competition with its near-luxury interior and sporty driving dynamics, which is worth its higher price tag. Just note that the CX-30 starts at around $25,000 and can easily creep up to $40,000 when the top trim and options are chosen. However, it could all be worth it if you want a small crossover with plenty of panache.