2020 Mazda CX-30 Pros vs Cons

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is a great addition to the market. It's nestled right in between the CX-3 and CX-5 in terms of size. (Note that the CX-4 is a distinct model that has been exclusively sold in China for the past few years, which is why the name of this model might not be what one would expect.)

As a compact SUV, the CX-30's versatility will likely appeal to many customers who want something that feels just right; it's not too big, and it's not too small, so it aligns perfectly with many people's preferences.

What's New for 2020?

2020 is the inaugural model year for the CX-30. Mazda fans will find a lot of similarities between the CX-30 and the Mazda 3, with the main difference being that the 2020 CX-30 sits up a little higher. Given today's market and the growing interest in crossovers and SUVs, Mazda has made a smart move by coming up with the CX-30.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2020 Mazda CX-30 – The Pros

1. Solid Engine for Its Class

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 has a relatively small footprint, so it doesn't take that much power to give the car a zippy feeling in terms of performance. The CX-30 is powered by a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine that comes with 186 horsepower, which is a pretty solid statistic when looking at what many other compact SUVs have to offer. Torque is 186 pound-feet, and the engine is paired with a six-speed transmission that feels responsive.

2. All-Wheel Drive is Available

If anyone needs more traction in the winter or in other slippery conditions, the CX-30 can come equipped with all-wheel drive. Mazda's system is called i-Activ AWD, and it works in conjunction with a G-Vectoring Control Plus system to make adjustments based on real-time feedback. A special setting called Off-Road Traction Assist can be activated when driving on rough roads.

3. Sleek Design

Mazda has designed the CX-30 to feature sculpted lines and smooth curves to give it an aerodynamic feel. The shape of the exterior lights complement the simple elegance of the car and add an element of depth to both the front and rear of the vehicle. Inside the cabin, things feel classy, and the design illustrates the fact that beauty can be created through restraint. Rather than having a lot of things to look at and fiddle with, the car has clean lines and smooth surfaces.

4. Ready for Cargo

Behind the second row of seating is a dedicated 20.2 cubic feet of storage space. This is plenty for many situations, even when people are going on long road trips. The cargo area can be increased to 45.2 cubic feet by lowering the back seats. The bench row is split in a 60/40 configuration, so one or both sides can be lowered depending on the situation.

5. Available Roof Rails

If anyone has more gear to carry than will fit in the back, there's always the roof that can be utilized. With roof racks, people can secure gear like bikes, kayaks, and skis, and then head out on fun adventures.

6. Able to Achieve over 30 MPG

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is a fairly efficient vehicle that does well in the fuel economy department despite not being a hybrid. On the highway, it can get up to 33 miles per gallon. Driving in town requires a little bit more fuel; the car is estimated to earn 25 miles per gallon in the city. Cars equipped with all-wheel drive get an estimated 24/31 (city/highway) miles per gallon.

7. The Right Price

The cost of the CX-30 would vary depending on trim and other options, but in general, the price will be very attractive to many prospective customers. The base model is not too far above the $20,000 mark, which is a little surprising since the Mazda definitely doesn't feel like a budget vehicle.

8. Comprehensive Safety Features

Anyone intrigued by modern driver-assist features will be happy to hear about the numerous systems built into the CX-30. Even with the standard trim, drivers can take advantage of advanced technology that will look out for them and actively work to prevent accidents.

For example, the CX-30 comes with smart brake support and a lane-keep assist program; these systems can apply the brakes if an obstacle is detected and correct steering to keep the car centered in a lane, respectively. Further, the Radar Cruise Control can keep the car at a safe distance with other vehicles, even in stop and go traffic, and automatic high beam control can make it easier to light up dark roads.

9. Large Center Display

The center display measures an impressive 8.8 inches. This allows the text to be fairly large, and drivers simply have to take a quick glance in order to read any information or make adjustments to music playback, make phone calls, or access other programs. It's also nice that the screen is situated on top of the dashboard rather than down below, so attention really doesn't have to be diverted from the road while someone is looking at the screen.

10. Luxury Amenities

If anyone wants to feel like he or she is driving a high-end car, the Premium Package is available. It bumps up the price considerably in comparison to the standard trim, but its starting price is still under $30,000. It comes with leather-trimmed seats that feel soft and luxurious, a power liftgate that can be quite convenient when someone's hands are full with groceries or bags, and an active driving display that projects vehicle performance data straight onto the windshield.

One step down from the Premium is the Preferred Package. This trim comes with heated front seats and a Bose sound system that has 12 speakers that work together to create high-quality audio.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2020 Mazda CX-30 – The Cons

1. Lack of a Touchscreen

The 8.8-inch color screen has a modern look and is easy to read, but what it doesn't have may matter the most to some customers. Without a touchscreen, users have to use dials to control the infotainment system. It takes a little while to get the hang of it, especially since almost everything new these days seems to have a touchscreen.

2. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Not Standard

Given people's reliance on their smartphones, it would make sense to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models of the 2020 Mazda CX-30. Unfortunately, this compatibility is not available on the basic model, and this is definitely a drawback considering many other base vehicles do come with this smartphone integration.

3. Limited Interior Color Choices

Some vehicles come with many different options for seat and trim colors, but this isn't the case with the CX-30. Customers are limited to either black or white seats, and accents can either be brown or navy.

4. Only One Engine Offered

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 doesn't have an option for a high-performance upgrade. This may leave some people wanting more in terms of horsepower and torque. However, most people will be content with having 186 horsepower on this compact SUV, and it certainly has plenty of power to handle itself well in a variety of situations.

5. A Small Cabin

Rear leg room is not the best in the 2020 Mazda CX-30. Taller rear-seat passengers will likely feel cramped with only about 36 inches of space to spread out their legs, though smaller people and kids will do just fine. It's important to note that the wheelbase of the CX-30 is actually a few inches shorter than that of the Mazda 3, a compact sedan that has many similarities to the CX-30. What's nice is that the taller shape of the cabin does give it a more spacious feel, even if this is more of an impression than a reality.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

The compact SUV market is becoming pretty crowded, but the 2020 Mazda CX-30 still manages to stand out. When compared to the Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V, the CX-30 does well, as it has significantly more horsepower (186) and torque (186 pound-feet) than these close competitors. The CrossTrek has an engine that generates 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, and the HR-V comes with 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 also has a few more conveniences that aren't present in those vehicles, such as second-row vents and an available full-color head-up display. Though these are small features, they can make a big difference in terms of overall convenience and comfort.

Conclusion

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 stands out in a busy and growing industry. It has a compact shape that gives it a sporty and agile feel, but has a relatively sizable cargo area. What can't be separated from the car is its low price point. It has many amenities that one would expect to see on mid-level vehicles, and it's a great choice for anyone looking for a smaller SUV or crossover vehicle.