Used 2021 Mazda CX-30 Consumer Reviews
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Roadie Report - CT to Texas and back - all good
Eclem, 04/12/2021
updated 10/28/2024
2021 Mazda CX-30 Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
99 of 101 people found this review helpful
We took our new CX30 on an extended roadie from CT down to TX and back during October. Gas mileage averaged 35 mpg at approx. 70 mph for the 4300 miles. We did a lot of mountain driving on top of tons of flat interstate driving that demanded good truck & RV passing power - the CX 30 has plenty of power. There was ample space for luggage and lots of other stuff in the rear with the seats folded down. The BIG deal was the quiet and comfort - we are in our seventies and 10 hour stints were possible without any pain or drama - a really great road car. The best I've ever owned and I have had many.
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My experience with my Mazda CX-30:
Ryan Gromoll, 10/30/2021
2021 Mazda CX-30 Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
27 of 27 people found this review helpful
I had been shopping around for a new vehicle in the sub-$30,000 price range for months now and I had been quite disappointed with what I saw in that price range until I stumbled upon Mazda. I got into a CX-30 in the showroom at the Mazda dealership and I was pleasantly surprised, everything on the interior was covered in soft leather, there were knurled knobs and switches, and cool color combinations. A few weeks later I bought my own CX-30 and it has been a great vehicle so far, the CX-30 is great for a lot of reasons but there are also quite a few drawbacks to consider. On the positive side the car is put together well… everything feels solid, there are no rattles or squeaks, the drivetrain is super solid (2.5 I4 + 6 speed auto), the engine works well with the transmission and I feel good about the reliability of both components, the safety systems in the car work well, all the lights in and on the car are all LED on all trims which is nice, the car is an IIHS top safety pick+, the car looks much more expensive than what it is… people have confused my CX-30 for a Mercedes/BMW multiple times, the base 8 speaker audio system is really good for a base system, the seats are really comfortable for most all body types, and I like how simple the car is… it’s refreshing. There are some downsides and they are as follows, the engine is relatively loud and the noise from the engine isn’t a pleasant one, the 18in wheels don’t give the car the best ride quality or turning circle, the car doesn’t get the best MPG in the class (avg. is 26mpg), the cupholders are placed in a weird spot which makes accessing larger cups a challenge, the beltline of the car is high which means the windows are small and hinder visibility, the back seats are cramped… really cramped, there is a significant blind spot due to the small windows in the rear (I would highly advise getting a CX-30 with blind spot monitoring), the exhaust/driveshaft creates a large hump in between the seats in the second row which makes it even more cramped for someone sitting in the middle seat, and the parking brake engages automatically and can be tricky to disengage when you set off. Now you may have just read all of that and thought to yourself that all that doesn’t sound good, but trust me you’ll get over those things because the rest of the car is phenomenal and I couldn’t be happier with the car, I plan on keeping it until the wheels fall off it. Hope this review was helpful, as an owner's perspective on what they think about the car.
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Better than the CX-5 if…
Troy, 07/24/2021
2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
42 of 43 people found this review helpful
I traded in my CX-5 Carbon Turbo for a CX-30 Turbo of nearly the same price. You read that correctly, I like the CX-30 better than the CX-5, and by no small margin. My test drive of the CX-30 was a surprising revelation, since pro reviewers like Motor Trend seem to be steering buyers (pun intended) toward the CX-5, and alluding that the latter is a better value. The problem with comparing these two models it’s like comparing apples to oranges. They have entirely different driving dynamics. One is fit for a true driving enthusiast while the other (the CX-5) is geared toward a more typical SUV buyer. Certainly, the CX-5 has the advantage where space and storage are concerned, and is possibly more capable off-road, however, the CX-30 is the better vehicle in nearly every other respect. Where I feel the CX-30 outclasses the CX-5: -Far better handling and far less body roll in corners - Far more communicative steering -Tighter interior fit-n-finish -Nicer ride -More comfortable seats with proper bolstering - Better sounding premium stereo -Higher fuel mileage -Powertrain is more linear in its torque delivery -Fewer creaks from interior bits -Simply feels more European in operation: remarkably similar to driving my father’s BMW 650i. Additionally, there are many minor details of the CX-30 that, considered together, make for a premium experience over the CX-5. For example, the CX-30 Turbo’s heads-up display, black painted side mirrors as opposed to the CX-5 Carbon’s black plastic mirrors. The side mirrors automatically tilt downward when backing up in the CX-30 (great for parallel parking). The 30’s speedometer can be toggled between a digital and analog-looking display. The auto-dimming mirror in the 30 has a sleek frameless design. Even the fuel door of the 30 feels more substantial than that of the CX-5. Where the CX-5 Carbon has the leg-up: -Space, especially for rear passengers -Larger (19”) wheels with a subjectively nicer look than the CX-30’s -Body-colored rear bumper -More ground clearance -Slightly less road noise, though I believe the 30 could be quieter if it were fitted with the same Toyo tires. Regretfully, I didn’t bother to test-drive the CX-30 before my purchase of the 5 Carbon. Don’t make the same mistake. Unless you’re positive you need the additional space of the CX-5, definitely test drive the 30 for yourself, even the non-turbo variants. It’s my opinion that the CX-30 is the better choice if you don’t have a practical need for the CX-5’s additional space and ground clearance, especially if you actually enjoy driving.
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Sublime synergism
Mgonz, 10/31/2020
updated 05/02/2023
2021 Mazda CX-30 Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
42 of 44 people found this review helpful
Best in it's class by far . Bought a 2021 cx30 premium awd. Has 27 sensors in awd system to be as predictive as possible rather than reactive. Elegant interior,12 speaker Bose stereo. Great drive is product of synergistic result of individual components. I switched oem Bridgestones for Nokians with snowflake rating anticipating lake effect snow we get in Northwest Indiana. Will be coming up on 3 years of owning and driving the CX 30. No repair issues. My major complaint is restricted visibility in merging and changing lanes. I have 40,000 miles and will be needing front and rear brakes and new tires. Rather than put $2000 into the CX 30 , I am ordering a 2023 CX 5 turbo. Much better visibility, roomier, and the turbo is a joy to drive.
Small gas tank and very limited rear view
Kathy, 01/21/2022
2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
While I like this vehicle quite a bit for the handling, styling, and comfortable feel, there's a few flaws you need to be aware of before purchasing. My biggest beef is with the small gas tank, which is only 12 gallons (I'm currently only getting 24.9 miles per gallon in winter too). That means, every 10 gallons you will be looking to fill up. I find this ffrustrating after being in a Nissan Altima with a 20 gallon gas tank and I'm not a heavy commuter. You'll be filling this vehicle up 2-3 times a week if you are. Just be aware of that. The rear view is practically non existent wihout removing the rear middle seat head rest, which I did to get adequate viewing. Standard base model does not come with blind spot monitoring either which I was not aware of until after purchasing. That being said, I do really like this vehicle and would've given it 5 stars if it had a reasonable size gas tank and adequate rear view.
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