Mazda CX-3 Too Small? Try the CX-30 on for Size

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

As promised, Mazda threw the sheets off its mystery vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show, revealing a small crossover that’s not too small.

The brand’s CX-3 often earns gripes for its diminutive size and limited interior volume, not to mention its middling ground clearance, but until today there was nothing to bridge the gap between CX-3 and the automaker’s wildly popular CX-5 (unless you live in China, which has exclusive access to the CX-4). With its new CX-30, Mazda enters the middle ground between compact and subcompact.

Bound for Europe this summer and other markets in the near future ( the U.S. will see this model, Mazda says), the CX-30 dons Skyactiv architecture, a new take on the brand’s KODO design language, and a whole lot of body cladding.

European engine choices include a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder with cylinder deactivation and 1.8-liter diesel, as well as the innovative new Skyactiv-X four-cylinder — a Spark Plug Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) engine that sprays and burns fuel in a decidedly different way than conventional internal combustion engines. Both gasoline engines will be mated to Mazdas’ M Hybrid mild hybrid system for further fuel economy gains. Two six-speed transmissions, an automatic and manual, manage the CX-30’s power.

While the automaker is known for being finicky, a statement from CX-30 program manager Naohito Saga reveals an obsessive desire to make the new crossover right-sized. A vehicle that can attract the most amount of new customers to the brand.

So, how big is this thing? The CX-30 is 4.7 inches longer than a CX-3, and 1.2 inches wider. Importantly, ground clearance is up by 0.6 inches, with the CX-30 rising above terra firma by 6.8 inches. Not Subaru Crosstrek territory, for sure, but it does split the difference between the CX-3 and CX-5. Rear cargo volume, including the underfloor cubby, is 15.2 cubic feet.

Inside, Mazda claims the placement of everything (A-pillar to armrests to switchgear) was optimized for comfort and tranquility. Careful attention was paid to noise and vibration levels, Mazda claims, referring to the model’s ambiance as “high-quality quietness.” We’ll have to wait to see how the supposedly right-sized crossover handles large American frames. The interior dons a semi-premium look, as per Mazda’s new mandate, and all CX-30s receive an 8.8-inch center display.

For customers living in wintery climes (or those who want to put that 6.8 inches of clearance to the test), Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive system adopts G-Vectoring Control for sharper performance. Meanwhile, a suite of safety features includes a driver monitoring system — something you still won’t find in a Tesla.

Mazda hasn’t said when North American customers can expect the CX-30, but no later than early 2020 would be a very cautious guess.

[Images: Mazda]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 45 comments
  • Mechimike Mechimike on Mar 06, 2019

    I just bought a 2018 Mazda 3 (with a manual transmission) but if this had been in the showroom next to it, and offered with a stick, I wold have test driven it. Please, offer it with NO turbo, and WITH a manual. Thank you.

  • Mechimike Mechimike on Mar 06, 2019

    I just bought a 2018 Mazda 3 (with a manual transmission) but if this had been in the showroom next to it, and offered with a stick, I would have test driven it. Please, offer it with NO turbo, and WITH a manual. Thank you.

  • TheMrFreeze That new Ferrari looks nice but other than that, nothing.And VW having to put an air-cooled Beetle in its display to try and make the ID.Buzz look cool makes this classic VW owner sad 😢
  • Wolfwagen Is it me or have auto shows just turned to meh? To me, there isn't much excitement anymore. it's like we have hit a second malaise era. Every new vehicle is some cookie-cutter CUV. No cutting-edge designs. No talk of any great powertrains, or technological achievements. It's sort of expected with the push to EVs but there is no news on that front either. No new battery tech, no new charging tech. Nothing.
  • CanadaCraig You can just imagine how quickly the tires are going to wear out on a 5,800 lbs AWD 2024 Dodge Charger.
  • Luke42 I tried FSD for a month in December 2022 on my Model Y and wasn’t impressed.The building-blocks were amazing but sum of the all of those amazing parts was about as useful as Honda Sensing in terms of reducing the driver’s workload.I have a list of fixes I need to see in Autopilot before I blow another $200 renting FSD. But I will try it for free for a month.I would love it if FSD v12 lived up to the hype and my mind were changed. But I have no reason to believe I might be wrong at this point, based on the reviews I’ve read so far. [shrug]. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about it once I get to test it.
  • FormerFF We bought three new and one used car last year, so we won't be visiting any showrooms this year unless a meteor hits one of them. Sorry to hear that Mini has terminated the manual transmission, a Mini could be a fun car to drive with a stick.It appears that 2025 is going to see a significant decrease in the number of models that can be had with a stick. The used car we bought is a Mk 7 GTI with a six speed manual, and my younger daughter and I are enjoying it quite a lot. We'll be hanging on to it for many years.
Next