Used 2022 MAZDA CX-30

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is a small-ish crossover/SUV that fits beneath the compact CX-5. That makes it a bearable size for most adults, while remaining easy to park and manageable in the city.

Beyond this basic description, though, is a vehicle that has the looks, refinement, quality and ability to compete with entry-level luxury crossovers. Yet its pricing starts in the same area as mainstream competitors. And all-wheel drive is now part of the standard inventory.

Small crossovers aren’t the first, second, or even third choices for people who really like driving. Unless it’s a Mazda CX-30.

The same flow, feel, fun, and fleetness that comes in other Mazda vehicles are all here in the CX-30. Anything better than this probably has a BMW badge and a price to match.

It is not a niche vehicle, however. The 2022 CX-30 is easy to drive and live with, capable of handling all the usual everyday duties with a comfortable efficiency. If we had to think of a gripe, we would have preferred it if Mazda offered rear parking sensors in a few other trims, not just the top version.

Many mainstream manufacturers are upping their interior design game, making their cabins look good enough for a premium marque. Mazda has long been ahead of this particular curve and consolidates its position with the 2022 CX-30.

High-quality materials are arranged expertly into a simple yet pleasing layout, topped off with an 8.8-inch infotainment display that’s among the largest in this class.

This is smaller than a compact crossover like the Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V, so space is naturally not so plentiful. But adults will enjoy plenty of room up front, and 36.3 inches of rear legroom is not bad, although the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V have more.

If cargo space is a major consideration, then look into these two competitors as well, since their dimensions are better than the CX-30’s 20.2 cubic feet (rear seats up) and 45.2 cubic feet (rear seats down). But this Mazda crossover is nevertheless a more attractive proposition than many subcompacts in this respect, like it is in several others.

The new Carbon Edition has leather seating surfaces, but they’re only available in red. Higher trims offer the choice of black or white.

Familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt. The 2022 CX-30 follows the same exterior design approach as the rest of the company’s SUV/crossovers. That’s fine by us. When something works arguably this well, why change the classy lines, sleek surfaces and elegant proportions for the sake of it?

The base 2.5 S model comes with 16-inch alloy rims, but every higher trim has larger wheels. They also now offer Platinum Quartz Metallic as one of the premium paint choices. The exception being the new Carbon Edition, which comes exclusively in Polymetal Gray. This model’s 18-inch alloy wheels are finished in black to match the gloss black side mirrors.

Roof rails become standard at the 2.5 S Select level, one up from base. That’s a change from last year, when they weren’t available until the Premium trim.

ERGONOMICS
This relates to the way all the controls connect with the driver, along with things like seats designed to optimize correct posture and combat fatigue. Mazda has clearly put some of its finest minds to work in this area. There are details like how the navigation information is located, or an amber light indicating when the wipers are in their Auto setting. Yet they all merge into a general feeling of things being just right.

DRIVING DYNAMICS
This is the CX-30’s superpower, what makes it different from the ho-hum competition. It’s responsive and enjoyable, especially when the turbo engine is in residence. The fun is accessible, yet the CX-30 remains a sensible crossover.

Even at its most basic, the 2022 CX-30 still comes with a few premium features like LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, keyless entry/ignition, Wi-Fi, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display, plus driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

This 2.5 S model also has all-wheel drive, 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, cloth upholstery, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning/lane-keeping assistance, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and two USB ports.

For another $2,400, the 2.5 S Select model is more recommendable, since it brings blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, leather-wrapped steering wheel, simulated leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Preferred trim adds heated front seats, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, powered moonroof, and tilting side mirrors when reverse gear is engaged. New this year, the CX-30 2.5 S Carbon Edition builds on Preferred trim with specific additions.

The 2.5 S Premium model pushes the Mazda CX-30 closer to luxury territory with adaptive headlights, head-up display, leather upholstery, powered tailgate, navigation, satellite radio with real-time traffic updates, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The top three variants all have the turbocharged engine. The 2.5 Turbo is equipped similarly to the S Preferred trim, adding a self-dimming rearview mirror. The 2.5 Turbo Premium has all the features of the S Premium model, along with a heated steering wheel and — new for this year — a windshield wiper de-icer.

Topping the 2022 CX-30 range is the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, with a 360-degree camera system, front/rear parking sensors, automatic reverse braking, Traffic Jam Assist, self-dimming driver’s-side mirror, and a universal garage door opener.

Other options include premium paint, illuminated scuff plates, sport pedals, and wireless charging.

Versions of the 2022 CX-30 with the 2.5 S badge have a naturally aspirated (no turbochargers or superchargers) 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This goes to the now-standard all-wheel drive system through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

As the 2.5 Turbo badge on the three highest trims suggests, these models have a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. It’s another 4-cylinder unit, paired with the same transmission and all-wheel drive. Output is 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with 93-octane gasoline. This dips to 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft if regular 87-octane gas is used.

2.5-liter inline-4 (2.5 S)
186 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
186 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 (2.5 Turbo)
250/227 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm (93/87 octane)
320/310 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm (93/87 octane)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg