2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo

By: Krish Persaud
June 16, 2022

It hasn’t been that long since we got our first look at the Mazda CX-30, which debuted for the first time at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The Mazda CX-30 is nicely positioned between the CX-3 and CX-5, and was introduced in the subcompact SUV market in order to compete with the growing number of vehicles in this segment.

The CX-30 is based on the fourth-generation Mazda3 platform, and is still happily in its first generation. We gratefully accepted Mazda Canada’s offer to test-drive the 2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo for a week, and were pleasantly surprised to find that it was well-equipped with Soul Red Crystal Metallic Paint, 18-inch black alloy wheels, and a 12-speaker Bose System.

On all Mazda CX-30 variants, front-wheel drive is no longer an option, and all-wheel drive is now standard. Depending on the trim level, Mazda provides three engine options: a Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder, and a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder, which we tested in our 2022 Mazda CX-30 GT test vehicle. On 93 octane fuel, the turbocharged motor produced 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, whereas on 87 octane fuel, it produced 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. There were no signs of power restrictions from the turbocharged engine, and the CX-30 is surprisingly quick, never leaving a dull moment when moving through slow traffic.

The interior featured pure-white leather seats with just the right amount of padding and above-average support. The driver’s seat has a 10-way power adjustment as well as power lumbar support. The front passengers will not feel cramped, but the rear passengers may complain about the lack of legroom over longer distances. As expected, the ride quality is excellent; road imperfections are almost imperceptible; the interior is not whisper quiet, but that is not a major issue given that it outperforms others in this segment.

According to our Mazda3 GT Sport and CX-5 Kuro reviews, the 8.8-inch centre display infotainment system in the CX-30 GT is controlled by the HMI commander (a rotary dial located directly below the gear selector). It can be cumbersome at first, but with a little patience you can navigate the various menus using the rotary dial. By following a few simple steps, you can easily set up Apple Carplay or Android Auto, and then use voice commands to drive without distraction.

There’s always something new and exciting to choose from when you shop for a new car at Mazda. When looking for a CX-30, you have a number of options to consider. The base price of the CX-30 GX is $28,431, the GS is $31,431, and the GT is $36,431. In addition to the standard Skyactiv-G engine, the GT trim can be equipped with a turbocharged engine. The as-tested price of our 2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo AWD was $38,350, which included the turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine, Soul Red Crystal Metallic Paint, and pure white leather seats.

When a turbocharged engine like the one in our test car is selected, fuel economy isn’t the primary consideration, as the figures show: 10.5 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 L/100 km on the highway, and 9.4 L/100 km in combined driving conditions. For our combined 9.7 L/100 km, we can blame the cold weather. The Skyactiv-G 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine in the GX trim level returns a slightly better 9.4 L/100 km in the city and 7.7 L/100 km on the highway, while the Skyactiv-G 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine in the GS and GT models returns a 9.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.7 L/100 km on the highway. Despite our desire to save a few dollars at the pump, we’d take the turbocharged option for the smiles per-litre it provides.

The Mazda CX-30 compares favorably to its competitors and continues Mazda’s signature design language in a compact, elegant form. With its Skyactiv-G turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine and upscale interior, it is no surprise that the CX-30 attracts our attention. It is a well-built subcompact SUV that offers an excellent warranty, a decent resale value over time, and luxury-like refinement at a very competitive price.