2021 Mazda MX-30-The CX-30's standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower which is paired with a six-speed automatic which chooses gears wisely based on driving conditions. A turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is optional and provides 250 horsepower; selecting this powertrain also adds all-wheel drive. If you're a fan of the Mazda 3 hatchback, which we are, you'll find the CX-30 just as nimble, athletic, and fun to drive. Its crisp steering and fluid body movements make it a pleasure to pilot on a twisty road and provide a sense of stability when cruising. At our test track, the CX-30 dawdled to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, slower than rivals such as the turbocharged Hyundai Kona but much quicker than other non-turbocharged SUVs such as the Nissan Rogue Sport and the Subaru Crosstrek. We haven't yet tested a CX-30 with the optional turbocharged engine but expect its performance to be substantially improved.
2021 Mazda MX-30
The 2021 CX-30 has a handsome, well-crafted interior; it's shared with that of the Mazda 3, which we love. An infotainment display sprouts from the center of the dashboard and is controlled by a rotary knob on the center console; a row of climate-control buttons divide the upper and lower dash panels. Buyers can choose between either an eight- or 12-speaker audio system and can upgrade to available heated front seats. Going with the top-spec Premium trim adds leather upholstery, a power-operated rear liftgate, and other luxury items that put the CX-30 in contention with luxury-brand offerings such as the Lexus UX and the Mini Countryman. As far as cargo-carrying capability goes, the CX-30 isn't the most voluminous SUV you can buy, but we did fit six carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats and 16 in total with the rear seats folded.
2021 Mazda MX-30
Front-wheel-drive CX-30 models receive fuel-economy estimates of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined from the EPA; all-wheel drive drops the estimates for the nonturbo model to 24 city, 31 mpg, and 26 mpg. On our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route, our all-wheel-drive CX-30 Premium test vehicle managed to exactly match its EPA rating of 31 mpg. Fuel economy estimates for the new turbocharged engine are not yet available.