2025 Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP AWD review

There are many different types of SUV.

There’s not just the dichotomy between rugged, body-on-frame SUVs and more car-like unibody crossover wagons.

Looking within just the latter category, there are models with boxy bodies, ones that try to look like coupes, and others that really just look like hatchbacks on stilts.

The Mazda CX-30 is one of the latter. Sure, it shares essentially nothing externally with the Mazda 3 hatchback it’s closely related to under the skin, but strip away those overly chunky black plastic wheel-arches and drop the ride height a bit and, well, it sure looks like a hatchback.

The CX-30 now outsells the Mazda 3 and it costs more, which means it’s likely to be more profitable for the brand.

WATCH: Paul’s video review on the 2020 Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve

They might have similar silhouettes but the CX-30 has a more hospitable back seat, while only the CX-30 offers the option of all-wheel drive in Australia.

That’s what we’ve put to the test: an all-wheel drive CX-30 in second-from-top GT SP trim. It’s finished in a lovely Platinum Quartz metallic paint finish but, as it’s a CX-30 not wearing the Astina badge, it’s bafflingly saddled with halogen daytime running lights. Yuck.

If you’re using the back seats, the CX-30 is arguably already worth the price premium over a Mazda 3. But is this hatchback-style SUV at its best in GT SP AWD trim?

How much does the Mazda CX-30 cost?

On test here is the GT SP, which is the penultimate trim level in the range. It’s available in front- and all-wheel drive – our test car has the latter.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What is the Mazda CX-30 like on the inside?

The CX-30 has one of the most upscale interiors in the small SUV segment by far, and the red leather trim of the GT SP really makes it pop.

The dashboard design is somewhat odd in appearance, but material quality is class-leading.

Mazda has nailed the key touch points. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels soft and supple, though some of its switchgear is a bit fiddly.

There’s leatherette padding on the sides of the centre console, a soft-touch dash top and some particularly soft trim across the front of the dash. Likewise, the front doors have soft-touch trim up top, and feature leatherette accents further down.

There are still buttons and knobs for the climate control, and these have a tactile, satisfying operation and look handsome to boot.

Mazda has employed some glossy black trim on the centre console, but look closely and it has a carbon-fibre weave look to it, which makes it a bit more interesting if no less smudge-prone.

The centre console is clever. There’s a sliding lid for the centre bin, allowing you to cover more of the console.

Other storage includes bottle holders in the doors that will actually fit a 1.5L water bottle, a competitively sized glove compartment, plus a strange cubby to the right-hand side of the steering wheel. This has a large door but only a tiny space that can fit perhaps a few coins.

Perhaps to keep the centre stack and console looking clean, Mazda has also buried some buttons over here like the one to manually activate the camera, as well as the hill descent control switch.

While that’s not particularly clever, we do appreciate the light that comes on on the wiper stalk to let you know when rain-sensing mode is on.

Mazda has made the positive step in adding touch functionality back to some of its cars’ screens, if only when you’re using smartphone mirroring. There’s also still the handy rotary dial for navigating all the other screens.

There’s just one problem: Mazda is still positioning its infotainment screens like they don’t have touch functionality even when they do. It’s a big stretch trying to reach the screen.

The infotainment interface is attractive and intuitive, though we didn’t experience the smoothest connection with wireless Android Auto.

It wouldn’t drop out, but there would be slight skipping on songs. This wasn’t something we experienced in Audi and Chevrolet models that came through our garage around the same time.

The CX-30 has a fairly high belt line and slim windows, but it feels airier inside than a Mazda 3 hatchback.

The red leather trim also brightens the cabin up, though we’ve felt nicer leather.

Step into the back and there’s a decent if not outstanding amount of room. The front seatbacks are helpfully scooped out and, at 180cm tall, I had sufficient headroom, knee room and leg room, though boxier small SUVs like the Kia Seltos feel more spacious back here.

There are top-tether anchor points for child seats, as well as ISOFIX points for the outboard seats. You also get a pair of air vents back here, plus map pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. No USB outlets, though.

Boot space is a claimed 317L, again down on boxier rivals like the Seltos. Under the boot floor you’ll find a space-saver spare.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Our tester is equipped with the larger and more powerful G25 four-cylinder petrol engine.

Mazda claims combined-cycle fuel economy of 6.8L/100km with the CX-30 GT SP AWD – 0.2L/100km more than a front-wheel drive version – and urban fuel consumption of 8.7L/100km.

Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and highway driving, we averaged 9.7L/100km. Over the course of a week, admittedly with a heavy skew towards urban driving, fuel consumption rose to 11.3L/100km.

We’ve observed better fuel economy in the Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI, even though the rival SUV has claimed combined-cycle fuel economy that’s higher.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

How does the Mazda CX-30 drive?

Big engine, small car.

The CX-30 should be fun, and with the turbocharged version of this engine available in North America it probably is.

But this naturally aspirated engine, combined with a six-speed automatic, simply isn’t as enjoyable as rivals with often smaller displacement but turbocharged engines.

The transmission deserves most of the blame. It doesn’t shift as smoothly as it should, with some pronounced shifts and even a bit of jerkiness among the lower ratios.

The CX-30 also awkwardly swapped cogs when on steep grades, which furthered the feeling of the Mazda being a bit breathless.

I rarely use paddle shifters but I found myself using them on multiple occasions with the CX-30. The engine also has a droning note that isn’t particularly pleasant to listen to, though from outside the car it sounds interesting.

Overall, the powertrain lacks the snappy shifts and low-end responsiveness of the torquier Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI and Cupra Formentor V.

Alas, while it’s a bit underdone in the powertrain department, the ‘zoom-zoom’ folks have given the CX-30 a firm and ‘sporty’ ride. We’d stop short of calling it uncomfortable, but it communicates all the details of the road surface.

At higher speeds, the CX-30 is more pleasant. The cabin is also decently insulated from noise, though some tyre roar leaks in across coarse-chip surfaces. Those tyres can also howl during spirited driving.

We’d love for the turbocharged engine to come here because the CX-30 is an enjoyable steer if you set aside the disappointing powertrain.

The steering is well-weighted and while there’s a bit more body roll than with a Mazda 3, the CX-30 handles well and stays nice and flat in corners.

Compression and rebound damping is managed well across surface changes, too – this still feels more hatchback than SUV.

The driver assist systems generally work well, though we did experience one notable exception.

Driving up a carpark ramp, the autonomous emergency braking system applied the brakes even though we were driving at low speed and there was no oncoming vehicle or imminent risk of collision. Fortunately, this only happened once.

Out on the road, the lane-keep assist works well without feeling too intrusive. There’s also a lane centring function with the Vision Technology Package that works well, though it will ding at you every time it detects a break in lane markings.

The Vision package also brings a surround-view camera with excellent resolution.

The CX-30’s adaptive cruise control works well, and there’s also a separate speed limiter function which is handy.

We’ve already spoken of fuel consumption which was higher than expected, particularly given the Mazda has an automatic engine idle-stop system to improve efficiency. This system is actually among the smoothest out there, and never annoyed us enough to make us want to turn it off.

All-wheel drive doesn’t exact much of a fuel economy penalty, at least on paper. But given the CX-30’s modest outputs, it’s not like the AWD system is needed to help get all this power to the ground.

Sure, some wet weather at the end of our loan made us better appreciate the presence of all-paw traction. But with stability control and a good set of tyres with plenty of tread, you scarcely need all-wheel drive for rainy weather, and we don’t exactly have a lot of snow in this country.

We reckon most buyers would be well-served by the more affordable front-wheel drive option.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

2025 Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure equipment highlights:

• Mazda Connected Services
  • Vehicle locator
  • Geofencing
  • Flashing lights feature
  • Curfew notifications
  • Remote locking
  • Vehicle health
  • Status reports
  • Stolen vehicle tracking assistance
• 16-inch grey alloy wheels
• Space-saver spare wheel
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Automatic power-folding side mirrors
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 8.8-inch infotainment system
• Head-up display
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 2x USB-C ports (replaces USB-A)
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Eight-speaker sound system
• Push-button start
• Leather-wrapped shifter
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Fabric upholstery

Evolve adds:

• 18-inch silver alloy wheels
• Paddle shifters
• Dual-zone climate control
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• Overhead sunglass storage
• Rear fold-down centre armrest

Touring adds:

• Front parking sensors
• Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror
• Reverse tilt-down driver’s side mirror
• Side mirror memory
• Keyless entry
• Illuminated front vanity mirrors
• Black leather upholstery
• 10-way power driver’s seat
• Two-position driver’s seat memory

Touring LE adds:

• Black 18-inch alloy wheels
• Black grille
• Signature spoiler
• Black mirror caps
• Terracotta ‘Maztex’ and suede upholstery
• Terracotta armrest, centre console, door card and dashboard contrast stitching
• Vision Technology package
  • Front cross-traffic alert
  • Cruising & Traffic Support
  • Driver monitoring system
  • Surround-view monitor
  • 10.25-inch infotainment system

GT SP adds (over Touring):

• 18-inch black alloy wheels
• Power tilt and slide glass sunroof
• Gloss black grille
• Gloss black side mirrors
• 10.25-inch infotainment system
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Burgundy leather upholstery

The Vision Technology package ($2000, G20 Pure and Evolve; $1800, G20 and G25 Touring; $1300, G25 GT SP FWD and AWD) adds:

• Front cross-traffic alert
• Cruising & Traffic Support
• Driver monitoring system
• Surround-view camera
• Front parking sensors (G20 Pure and G20 Evolve only)
• 10.25-inch infotainment system (G20 Pure, G20 Evolve, G20 Touring, G25 Touring)

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

Is the Mazda CX-30 safe?

The Mazda CX-30 received a five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2019.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
• Rear AEB
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Driver attention alert
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring

G20 and G25 Touring adds:

Touring LE and G20 and G25 Astina adds:

• Front cross-traffic alert
• Cruising & Traffic Support
• Driver monitoring system
• Surround-view monitor

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

How much does the Mazda CX-30 cost to run?

The Mazda CX-30 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Opting for all-wheel drive doesn’t bring with it a premium when servicing your CX-30.

To see how the Mazda CX-30 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take

Unless you plan on going to the snow, there are better options within the CX-30 lineup.

You could save $2000 and go for a front-wheel drive GT SP, or spend the same amount of money as the all-wheel drive model and get a fully loaded front-wheel drive Astina.

There are also desirable options outside of a Mazda showroom.

A Volkswagen T-Roc is more enjoyable to drive, a Kia Seltos is more practical, and a Toyota C-HR more efficient.

The CX-30 delights with the upscale look and feel of its interior, as well as its generally sophisticated infotainment and driver assistance technology.

But the driving experience leaves a bit to be desired, with its pleasing handling and generally quiet cabin let down by a firm ride and clunky powertrain.

The CX-30’s sporty chassis needs a better powertrain to back it up. It’s a pity we don’t get the turbocharged version here, as that could really elevate this SUV. In the meantime, there are rival SUVs that do the zoom-zoom thing better.

Interested in buying a Mazda CX-30? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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