Mazda was never one to dominate sales charts, but they’re very much a quality-over-quantity brand. Nothing ages better than quality workmanship, simple but stout powertrains, and chasing style over trends. Like everything else in their lineup, the 2025 Mazda CX-30 embraces this to a tee.
What’s new for 2025?
Rather than saving it all for a refresh midway through its run, Mazda has been doling out the updates in bits-and-pieces since the CX-30 debuted in 2020. Mazda gave it an optional turbo engine in 2021, standard AWD and a couple of new colours the following year, some extra ponies for the base engine in 2023, some more new colours and a slightly bigger screen last year, and even more new colours for 2025.
We’re all for Mazda’s if-it-ain’t-broke approach, especially when the starting point is already so good. But we’re not far off from 2026, making it the sixth year on the market with no big updates. A mid-life refresh at the very least wouldn’t hurt.
What’s under the hood?
The CX-30 started out with three engine options, but it’s been down to two for a while now. Our top-trim GT tester had the now-base 2.5L normally aspirated four-cylinder, now good for 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It’s … fine. It’s more powerful than the HR-V, the non-hybrid Corolla Cross, and the Crosstrek, but if you’re one for stoplight drag races, get the turbo.
It’s paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, which is also … fine. It’s unobtrusive and well-behaved most of the time, but sometimes when you’re merging or passing, it might take a moment to kick down. Otherwise, the CX-30 drives as you’d expect a Mazda would. It corners surprisingly well, the standard all-wheel-drive system adds a layer of confidence, and there’s good weight to the steering. It rides a little firmer than, say, a Crosstrek or an HR-V, but filters out the really rough stuff well, and road and wind noise are virtually nonexistent, especially on the highway.
Is it still pretty?
Even after almost six years of looking pretty much the same, the CX-30 still looks great. It’s easy on the eyes and some design cues, like the almost invisible swoosh along the side that plays tricks on your eyes using reflections, or the way the LED turn signals softly fade out like incadescent bulbs, are clever. Our tester is finished in Aero Grey, a new addition to the CX-30’s colour palette which we first saw on the “ND3” Miata. It pairs well with the red leather interior.
The CX-30 was one of the earlier Mazdas to have brought forth their upmarket push. It’s aged beautifully; everything is so well-put-together, the CX-30 easily has the nicest-looking and most solid-feeling cabin out of everything else in the segment. You still get physical buttons and knobs for the climate and infotainment controls, too!
But it’s not all sunshine and roses in the CX-30. The back seat is tight for the class, cargo space is usable but not class-leading, and there’s a bit of a learning curve to the infotainment if you’re new to it. But if you take the time to learn the controls and set up your presets, you get used to it pretty quickly. Or just keep it on CarPlay and/or Android Auto all the time.
Should you buy a CX-30 in 2025?
That’s a tough one. The CX-30 faces a lot of fresh competition, like the new Kona, the just-updated HR-V and Corolla Cross, and the VW Taos that also punches above its weight. Still, it’s tough to argue against this GT trim coming in at under $40,000 as-tested — $38,750, to be exact. Considering the 2025 Mazda CX-30’s premium aspirations, stylish sheet metal, and proven reliable powertrains, that’s a steal.
