Name: Mazda CX-30 (2019 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mazda CX-30
Rating: 72.0

Summary

The Mazda CX-30 is an SUV/crossover that sits between the smaller CX-3 and larger CX-5 in the Mazda SUV range. It was launched at the 2019 Geneva motor show before going on sale later in the year.

The CX-30 is based on the Mazda 3 hatchback and is more sleekly-styled, although less practical, than the slightly larger CX-5.

As of January 2025, the Mazda CX-30 has a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 72%, and has received generally positive reviews from UK motoring websites. It has been praised for its driving dynamics and interior quality, although it has been criticised for its small boot and poor practicality compared to rivals.

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CX-30 highlights

High-quality interior
Economical engines
Well-equipped as standard
Stylish looks

CX-30 lowlights

Rivals are more spacious and practical
No diesel or electrified engine options
Boot could be bigger

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £22,945 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol SkyActiv-X
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Mazda CX-30 may not be much smaller than a CX-5 or larger than a CX-3, but it’s the best of all worlds with stylish looks and impressive quality.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda CX-30 targets premium rivals with its style and great driving experience, although practicality and performance aren’t the best.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual e-Skyactiv X GT Sport Tech
“While some drivers will still prefer the easy nature of a turbocharged petrol engine, Mazda’s upgraded mild-hybrid powertrain has its perks. Linear and responsive, it rewards drivers who want to use its sweet manual gearbox to enjoy its surprisingly wide power band. The CX-30 has poised handling to match, but this is a smaller SUV with less rear passenger and boot space than some rivals, which holds it back from the best in the class.”
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Model reviewed: SkyActiv-G 122 GT Sport Auto
Score: 8 / 10
“This is the car that could become Mazda’s best-seller in Europe.” (James Brodie)
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda CX-30 has a lot going for it, offering smart looks and a high level of safety equipment and standard kit. It’s good to drive, too, and provides decent practicality. Sitting somewhere between a conventional hatchback and an SUV in character, it’s worth considering as an alternative to either.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“In a crowded segment, the CX-30 makes a decent case for itself.”
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Model reviewed: 1.8-litre diesel manual
Score: 8 / 10
“In a crowded segment, the CX-30 makes a decent case for itself. Mazda’s design language continues to crank out good-looking cars, its interior rivals the best in the sector and it will engage you a little more than your run-of-the-mill small SUV.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SkyActiv-X AWD
Score: 9 / 10
“With its stylish looks, high-quality interior and fantastic driving experience, the Mazda CX-30 offers something that plenty of rivals can’t. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of versatility in the way of a sportier drive and better looks, the CX-30 is a brilliant choice.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SkyActiv-G
Score: 8 / 10
“The CX-30 is a great addition to Mazda’s range, and it offers a well-kitted and refined package with a better driving experience than just about every other car in its class.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda CX-30 is a stylish SUV that’s good to drive but its sleek shape hinders practicality”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Mazda CX-30 SUV sits between Mazda’s CX-3 and CX-5 in terms of size. It seats five, is well equipped and can be had with Mazda’s frugal new Skyactiv-X petrol engine.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SkyActiv-X 2WD GT Sport
“Entertaining to drive as long as you work the engine, and full of luxury kit, but not as roomy as it needs to be.”
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual AWD 180hp GT Sport Tech
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda CX-30, which sits between the CX-3 and the CX-5 in terms of size, is another good-looking Mazda product, with decent economy for a compact SUV.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: 2.0 Skyactiv-X
“The Mazda CX-30 is a trendy crossover that’s great to drive and has a superb interior.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Mazda CX-30 is essentially a Mazda 3 on stilts, sitting between the CX-3 and CX-5 and rivalling the likes of the Skoda Karoq.”
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Model reviewed: Skyactiv-D
“It’s as refined as can be too, with very little mechanical noise, wind bluster or tyre roar to burst your wellness bubble.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Mazda’s Qashqai rival impresses all-round”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Mazda CX-30 is a real head turner and performs well beyond its £22k price tag”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport Lux
Score: 8 / 10
“Thanks to its satisfying road manners, beautiful interior, and looks that brighten even the rainiest of days, the Mazda CX-30 is a winner.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual 100th Anniversary
Score: 7 / 10
“If you’ve already got your heart set on a Mazda CX-30 (or if you’re just shopping around for a well-driving crossover), the 100th Anniversary Edition is certainly worth a look. Yes, it’s a bit of a marketing ploy and is just over £3,000 more than a top-spec GT Sport Tech, but that interior looks and feels top draw.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Good car, the Mazda CX-30. Handles well, looks smart and has a lovely interior. But as is always the case with crossovers – the conventional car on which it’s based (in this case the Mazda 3 hatchback) is the sensible buy.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 99%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 77%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: SKYACTIV-X 180 PETROL 4X2 MANUAL

Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 4.6 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.7 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 4 / 10

The Mazda CX-30 SkyActiv-X 180 2.0-litre petrol manual received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021.

Green NCAP said: “The CX-30 180 petrol employs Mazda’s Skyactiv-X technology, with a very high compression ratio and lean fuel mixture to try to reduce emissions. This is combined with a 24-volt mild hybrid system to improve fuel efficiency.

“Together with the exhaust after-treatment – three-way catalyst, exhaust gas recirculation and a gasoline particulate filter – the car shows generally low values of pollutant emissions. The weakness is at high engine loads where values of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide become elevated. This limits the scores in the Clean Air and Greenhouse Gas indexes.

“Overall, the CX-30 scores similarly across the three areas of assessment and emerges with a solid 2½ star rating.”

This rating only applies to the SkyActiv-X 180 2.0-litre petrol manual version of the Mazda MX-30, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mazda CX-30 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the CX-30, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	46 mpg	C	40 – 50 mpg	B – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	138 g/km	B	127 – 160 g/km	A – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	17	A	12 – 21	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£193	A
Year 2	£523	B
Year 3	£870	B
Year 4	£1,100	B
Year 5	£1,510	B
Overall	£4,196	B

The Mazda CX-30 is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

While the crossover’s fuel economy is fairly average, its insurance premiums are estimated to be on the cheaper side, and its servicing and maintenance costs should be pretty affordable over the first five years of ownership.