2026 Mazda CX-30

Mazda's CX-30 is the automaker's smallest SUV, but it delivers on the promise Mazda makes for all its models: near-luxury design, materials and performance coupled with less-than-luxury pricing. Two engines are available — one with a turbocharger and good for up to 250 horsepower on premium fuel — and both are paired to an all-wheel-drive drivetrain and a six-speed automatic. While we haven't yet seen spy photos of a camouflaged next-gen CX-30, the age of the subcompact crossover and Mazda's typical product lifespan suggest that a redesigned model is on the way, possibly for 2026.

The CX-30 debuted as a 2020 model, making this little Mazda one of the older options in the class. Mazda's product cycles are a little longer than those of most manufacturers, but six years is a long time for any model to remain relatively unchanged. It's certainly due — at a minimum — for a refresh. We think it's more likely that an all-new CX-30 will arrive this year or next. There are some clues that change is coming. Mazda made no real changes to the CX-30 for 2025, which often happens the year before an update. What's more, with eight trim levels to choose from, the CX-30 lineup is quite crowded, and some versions offer little differentiation from their surrounding trims. We expect that will change with a new or refreshed CX-30, whenever it arrives.

Like every class of SUVs, the subcompact segment offers a wide range of options. The CX-30 is one of our favorites in this category. We also really like the Chevy Trailblazer, for its generous-for-the-class cargo space and intuitive infotainment system. Chevy's Trax is also a solid offering, as is the related Buick Encore GX, which offers a strikingly good ride and handling balance as well as a long list of valuable standard features. Desirable alternatives outside the GM ecosystem include the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul.

On its debut in 2020, Edmunds added a Mazda CX-30 Premium to our One-Year Road Test fleet to get the full experience of ownership. Over the course of a year and more than 17,000 miles, the CX-30 earned strong praise from our editors. We found it a joy to drive, while we also gathered valuable data on fuel efficiency and maintenance costs. Note that while we tested a 2020 model, most of our observations apply to the 2025 CX-30 as well.

[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's CX-30. We expect the 2026 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Mazda CX-30 is an extra-small SUV that seats five. It's available in 2.5 S, Select Sport, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Carbon Turbo, Premium, 2.5 Turbo Premium and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim levels. Keep reading for a rundown of the significant features you get with each version.