Mazda CX-30 – What you need to know

The Mazda CX-30 has been one of the most popular offerings in Australia’s crowded small SUV space since it arrived in 2019, and in October 2023 it was given an update including the addition of a new G25 GT SP variant, several equipment upgrades and the axing of manual and hybrid versions, followed on February 1 by minor price hikes across the range.

Based on the fourth-generation Mazda3 small car, the Mazda CX-30 is a direct rival for the Hyundai Kona, as well as cheaper Chinese small SUVs like the Haval Jolion and top-selling MG ZS.

Including five trim levels, two powertrains and the option of all-wheel drive on premium grades, a total nine variants of the 2024 Mazda CX-30 are available: G20 Pure, G20 Evolve, G20 Touring, G20 Astina, G25 Touring, G25 GT SP and G25 Astina.

All CX-30s are compact five-door/five-seat wagons and, apart from different equipment levels, buyers can choose between a 2.0-litre (G20) or a 2.5-litre (G25) four-cylinder petrol engine, now matched as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard across the range, but AWD is optional on the 2.5-litre (G25) GT SP and Astina.

Following an earlier price rise in July 2023, prices range from a still-competitive $33,140 to $47,450 plus on-road costs. So which one grabs your attention and what kind of budget do you have?

For a little over $33K, the entry-level Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure offers a 2.0-litre petrol engine, six-speed auto and front-drive. It comes with the following standard features:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• 8.8-inch infotainment screen
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Black cloth trim
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Cruise control
• Single zone air-conditioning

A Vision Technology option pack is available for $2000 with the Pure and Evolve grades, or $1800 when ordered with the Touring variants and $1300 if you marry it up with a GT SP.

In the Pure and Evolve, the extra outlay adds a 360-degree monitor, 10.25-inch infotainment screen, driver monitoring, cruising and traffic support, front cross traffic alert and front parking sensors.

The same features apply when the Vision Technology pack is ordered with Touring grades, apart from front parking sensors because they’re already standard.

Likewise with the GT SP, the pack comprises a 360-degree monitor, driver monitoring, cruising and traffic support, and front cross traffic alert.

Nine exterior paint colours make up the CX-30 palette, in which some attract a $595 premium.

All 2024 Mazda CX-30 vehicles come with seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with front pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB with rear cross traffic alert, emergency braking assist, forward obstruction warning, adaptive cruise control with stop/go function and driver attention alert.

Also standard across the range is a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, hill launch assist, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring, auto wipers and headlights, LED headlights and G-Vectoring Control Plus.

In addition to the usual instrument cluster, all Mazda CX-30s also feature a head-up display.

Stepping up to the G20 or G25 Touring adds front parking sensors, while another step up to the G20 and G25 Astina includes a 360-degree monitor, adaptive LED headlights, driver monitoring, cruise and traffic support, and front cross traffic alert.

Taking up the all-wheel drive option (G25 Astina and GT SP only) also adds off-road traction assist.

The Mazda CX-30 is yet to be independently assessed by ANCAP against its latest testing protocols, but its did achieve a maximum five-star rating back in 2019.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure, Evolve and Touring and the G25 Touring make do with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, accessed via a multi-function command controller and equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an eight-speaker sound system with AM/FM/DAB+ radio.

All models have steering wheel-mounted controls, iPod-compatible USB-A charging, Bluetooth music and phone connectivity, and satellite-navigation.

From G20 and G25 Touring level upwards, there’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless and USB-C phone charging.

But only the G20 and G25 Astina and the G25 GT SP receive a 10.25-inch infotainment system and a 12-speaker premium Bose audio system.

Giving the cabin a luxury boost in all models is a leather-wrapped steering wheel (heated in the Astinas) and gearshift knob. Handy features across the range include cargo area lights, vanity mirrors in the sunshades, power windows with auto up/down and cup and bottle holders front and rear.

Aside from the the entry-level G20 Pure, all other variants of the latest Mazda CX-30 have dual-zone air-conditioning with rear face-level rear vents, an ambient temperature display, a fold-down rear centre armrest, auto-dimming rear-view mirror (frameless for the Astinas), a sunglasses holder and paddle shifter for the multi-function steering wheel.

Is leather seat trim on your wish list? If so you’ll need to bypass the G20 Pure and Evolve with their black cloth trim and sign up for a G20 Touring as a minimum, which gets you black leather trim. Smart-looking burgundy leather is also available, but exclusive to the G25 GT SP.

Would you like power-adjusting seats? Again, your starting point is the G20 Touring, with its 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat including memory function and lumbar adjustment.

Heated seats? Stick your name on a G20 or G25 Astina or a G25 GT SP and they’re yours.

All models have a 60/40-split folding rear seat with adjustable head restraints.

Stepping outside, every Mazda CX-30 has auto on/off LED headlights, LED tail-lights, green tinted glass and a rear spoiler.

Powered door mirrors with a folding function are also standard but buy a G20 Touring if you want a driver’s side mirror with auto-dimming, a memory setting, a tilt-down reversing function and heating for both door mirrors.

How about a tilt and sliding sunroof? Only the Astina and G25 SP GT score one of these and if the handiness of a powered tailgate appeals, the G20 or G25 Astina is what’s you need.

Setting each model apart are wheels, with the G20 Pure running 16-inch alloys and the rest of the range rolling on 18s. All come with a temporary steel spare wheel.

A choice of two naturally-aspirated petrol engines is offered in the 2024 Mazda CX-30 range.

Powering the G20 Pure, G20 Evolve, G20 Touring and G20 Astina is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque.

The G25 Touring, the newcomer G25 GT SP and the G25 Astina all offer a bigger 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine putting out a more respectable 139kW/252Nm.

Cylinder deactivation and idle-stop systems help both engines reduce fuel consumption.

A six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels is standard across the range, but all-wheel drive is available for the G25 GT SP and G25 Astina.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 measures 4395mm long, 1795mm wide and 1540mm tall, rides on a 2655mm wheelbase and has 175mm ground clearance, placing it in the heart of the small SUV segment.

Cargo capacity in the five-seat Mazda CX-30 is 317 litres, increasing to 1406 litres with the rear seatbacks folded down.

Depending on the variant, kerb weights range from 1465kg to 1543kg, while gross vehicle mass ranges from 1927kg to 1965kg. Subtract the former from the latter to give you payloads.

With a braked trailer, the maximum towing capacity is 1200kg for all models and the tow ball download maximum is 80kg.

Whichever version you choose, the 2024 Mazda CX-30 feels a lot like the Mazda3 to drive – only you sit a bit higher – and that’s a very good thing, making it one of the best riding and handling small SUVs available.

Despite the elevated seating position, the CX-30 doesn’t pitch and roll under brakes or in corners, and is just as comfortable to drive in all conditions as the Mazda3 – and easier to get in and out of.

So which one to buy? If budget is the primary concern, we’d head for the one-level-up G20 Evolve since you get a fair bit more in terms of standard features for a relatively small price premium over the more basic G20 Pure.

But the Touring grade is what really gives you serious bang for your buck with a raft of extra standard features. And the extra power and torque of the 2.5-litre engine will likely also have more appeal behind the wheel.

So the G25 Touring is the one we’d park in our shed.

How much does the 2024 Mazda CX-30 cost?
G20 Pure – $33,140
G20 Evolve – $34,840
G20 Touring – $38,840
G25 Touring – $40,340
G25 GT SP – $42,340
G20 Astina – $44,040
G25 GT SP AWD – $44,340
G25 Astina – $45,540
G25 Astina AWD – $47,450
*Prices exclude on-road cost