Mazda CX-30 Pure 2024 Review

Mazda prices have snuck up a bit recently, but the 2024 Mazda CX-30 is by no means an overtly expensive participant in the small SUV space.

Sadly, the price-leading manual version tested here has been dropped from 2024 onwards. This means the price of admission now starts at $32,140 plus on-road costs in automatic Pure guise.

Even with the price hikes, the CX-30 remains in the same ballpark as rivals such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Nissan QASHQAI, Toyota Corolla Cross and new Subaru Crosstrek, to name just four key rivals.

At base level there’s little compromising going on in the 2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure. It’s far from sparse.

Where some competitors forgo things like sat-nav, a decent sound system and numerous little luxuries in their entry-level offerings, the CX-30 Pure springs a few surprises.

In addition to sat-nav and a respectable eight-speaker stereo, the CX-30 Pure packs a head-up display, self-dipping LED headlights, a multifunction and leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto up-down windows, auto-folding side mirrors, push-button start and an electronic park brake.

No, the front seats aren’t powered – nor are they clad in faux leather. However, they do offer manual tilt and height adjustment while being cloaked in durable and visually pleasing cloth trim.

Concessions include basic air-conditioning over climate control and a lack of central rear air vents – although rear seat air vents and climate control are available on CX-30 Evolve mode-grades and upwards.

The CX-30 Pure attracts a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance and services scheduled every 12 months or 10,000km.

Servicing costs are fixed at $334 for a basic oil change/general check-up or $382 for a more comprehensive visit. Among additional costs are brake fluid replacement every two years ($74) and fitting a new cabin air filter every 40,000km ($107).

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 comes under the five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2019.

While the major bases are covered, some active safety tech is missing, including post-collision braking, front cross traffic alert and front parking sensors.

A basic rear-facing parking camera is standard, yet a recently introduced ‘Vision Technology’ safety pack ushers in 360-degree cameras, front cross traffic alert and front parking sensors for an extra $2000.

The CX-30 Pure does come with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in both forward and reverse (high and low speeds for the former).

Also on the list is lane departure warning with lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, driver attention detection, self-dipping LED headlights, tyre pressure monitoring and rear cross traffic alert with rear parking sensors.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure has (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a smallish LCD instrument display ahead of the driver and dual USB ports.

The infotainment system is controlled via an old-school, centrally located knob – no touch-screens here.

The eight-speaker audio system includes AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio which, like the cruise control and various other functions, can be adjusted by switches on the multifunction steering wheel.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure is propelled by the familiar 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol engine.

The long-stroke, direct-injection unit is naturally aspirated and produces a healthy 114kW/200Nm, driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Up until recently, the Pure was also available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure is one of the thriftiest small SUVs in the segment, thanks to the use of technology such as cylinder deactivation and auto stop/start.

Claimed combined-cycle fuel consumption using 91RON regular unleaded comes in at 6.3L/100km for the automatic.

The Pure bests rival like the similarly 2.0-litre Kia Seltos (6.9L/100km) and Mitsubishi ASX (7.7L/100km). It matches the 1.4-litre turbo Volkswagen T-Roc (6.3L/100km) but falls short of the 2.0-litre Toyota Corolla Cross (6.0L/100km).

In our week of varied driving behind the wheel of the manual CX-30 Pure, which is no longer available from the factory (but might still be in dealer stock), we managed a respectable 7.1L/100km.

Unlike the Mazda2-based CX-3, the 2024 Mazda CX-30 is built off the larger Mazda3 platform. Even though its wheelbase is 70mm shorter than the Mazda3 sedan and hatch, the CX-30 benefits dimensionally and dynamically from the bigger footprint over the CX-3.

You won’t miss out on the ‘Zoom Zoom’ factor just because it’s an SUV, either.

With MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam rear axle, the CX-30 Pure provides a supple suspension set-up while also quelling body roll.

In terms of ride comfort, the standard 16-inch wheels shod with 215/65 tyres amount to a more liveable combo compared to the larger rim sizes higher up in the model hierarchy.

Disappointingly, the rear axle of our tester suffered from some occasional rough-road clunking, which disturbed its otherwise well-balanced demeanour. Road noise and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels are acceptable without being exceptional.

Manual gearboxes are not all that common these days, but the pleasing interplay between the CX-30’s clutch, shift mechanism and accelerator add a sense of friskiness to a car that’s not traditionally seen as sporty.

If you can find dealer stock of the discontinued manual, we encourage you to do so. However, Mazda’s in-house six-speed torque-converter automatic is also pleasing.

The 2.0-litre engine is a decent fit, too. The SkyActiv-G four-pot is brisk, smooth and reasonably quiet. However, there’s an occasional need to change down gears on long, steepish ascents as the engine falls off its torque curve.

Despite being ‘entry level’, this is where the 2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure excels.

There’s a real sense of refinement about its tasteful architecture that feels decidedly upmarket.

Yes, some trim embellishments seen further up the food chain are left wanting, but the CX-30 Pure is imbued with the same sense of class that’s currently being rolled out in Mazda’s new products.

The dash and instrument displays are conservative yet appealing, with easy-to-decipher controls for almost everything.

However, some of the little metal switches on the steering wheel are hardly legible in direct sunlight and rear three-quarter vision is poor.

It isn’t as generously proportioned inside as the larger CX-5 and back-seat legroom can be cramped for taller passengers. However, it’s noticeably more spacious than the CX-3.

On paper, the CX-30’s 317-litre boot does fall short of rivals such as the Kia Seltos (468 litres), MG ZST (359 litres) and GWM Haval Jolion (430 litres).

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure’s suave design might not garner as much attention as some of its edgy rivals, but it creates an upmarket aesthetic.

It will no doubt age well when styling trends move on, too.

Operationally, the small Mazda SUV does everything well. The engine is happy hauling the 1418kg (manual) frame and it returns class-competitive fuel consumption figures. It’s a real shame the charming six-speed manual has been dropped.

This might come across as a glowing report card for the 2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure, but it simply scores well on all fronts. Consistently strong monthly sales figures are proof it’s translating well with buyers in the face of strong Chinese competition.

What’s more, the CX-30 is doing it on its own terms. The Pure variant is competitively priced while retaining Mazda’s venerable USPs.

2024 Mazda CX-30 Pure at a glance:
Price: $33,140 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 114kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 147g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)