Mazda CX-30: Australian pricing locked in for goldilocks SUV

After confirming the CX-30 for Australia earlier this year, Mazda this week released final pricing and specifications for their ‘goldilocks’ sized SUV that slots between the CX-3 and CX-5. The handsome CX-30 features Mazda’s seventh-generation Kodo design language and competitive pricing for its arrival next January. 

Mazda claim the size of the CX-30 strikes an ideal point in compact SUV dimensions. The CX-30 attempts to maintain the excellent manoeuvrability of the CX-3 while affording almost as much cargo space as the larger CX-5. 

With the size and pricing of the CX-30, Mazda are directly targeted the growing ‘big-small’ SUV niche, where cars like the funky Toyota C-HR and Honda HR-V already sit – and where the soon to arrive Volkswagen T-Roc will also compete.

Four trim levels and two engine options will be on offer for the CX-30 in Australia at launch, kicking off with the $29,990 (driveaway pricing not yet available) G20 Pure variant and topping out with the $43,990 G25 Astina AWD (driveaway pricing not yet available).

With the entry price calling for a $450 premium over a similarly equipped $29,540 ($33,231 driveaway) Toyota C-HR, Mazda will be relying on the more premium feel to appeal to private buyers. 

The CX-30 is really a handsome thing to behold in the flesh. The Kodo design language has spawned a cohesive and minimal front end, with the ingenious ‘S’ shape reflection on the flanks a personal highlight.

Mazda has really pushed to their premium philosophy inside the CX-30, their human centred design approach lending comfortable ergonomics which are complemented by dashes of quality leather and serious square-footage of soft-touch plastic to give the affordable SUV an ambience near Audi level.

When the CX-30 arrives it will be available with a choice of two powertrains: the first and likely biggest seller is a two-litre four cylinder Skyactiv petrol engine with 114kW/200Nm. With this engine claimed fuel consumption is an impressive 6.5L/100km, but acceleration is a more modest 10.1 second 0-100km/h claim for this G20 powertrain.

The G20 engine will be available across all variants, though only in combination with a six-speed torque converter automatic and front-wheel drive – no manual is coming to Australia.

Additionally, a Vision technology package can be specified on any variant in the CX-30 range. This package includes front parking sensors, a 360º top-down view, an autonomous traffic jam function – with steering – for the adaptive cruise, driver fatigue monitoring and front cross-traffic alert for an extra $1,500. This was a calculated choice made by Mazda product planners in light of the better-than-expected 30% uptake of this package for Mazda 3 buyers.

From the entry Pure variant impressive tech joins the quality interior feel, all CX-30s will be equipped with a 7-inch digital cockpit, 8.8-inch non-touchscreen colour display with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 16-inch alloys, LED headlights and keyless go.

As well as in-car gizmos, all variants will be equipped as standard with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist, radar cruise control, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and both front and rear low-speed AEB.

Stepping up to the mid-range, the Evolve starts at $31,490 (driveaway pricing not yet available) and gets some extra pizazz, with standard 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control with rear ventilation, leather wrapped gear knob and tiller and wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

A Touring variant is available from $34,990 (driveaway pricing not yet available) and will be specified with a plusher, leather appointed interior with 10-way electrically adjustable seats with two position memory, advanced keyless entry with push-button start auto-tilting mirrors and front parking sensors.

Range-topping Astina variants are available with either engine and front of all-wheel drive, they will also all be equipped with the Vision safety pack as standard. In addition, there will be bright-finish 18-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, a lovely 12-speaker Bose stereo, black leather or, as an option, white hue pews available on the plushest model.

For Touring and Astina variants buyers can also option a larger engine. Monikered the G25, this 2.5-litre produces 139kW/252Nm and adds $1,500 to the price. Fuel consumption increases slightly to 6.6L/100km while the extra power sees the 0-100km/h sprint fall to 8.7 seconds.

Buyers optioning the G25 powertrain can then further add Mazda’s i-Activ AWD for $2,000. For AWD privileges expect more traction on the slippery stuff but higher fuel consumption – to the tune of +0.2L/100km – and a 0.3 second penalty on the 0-100km/h sprint.

We were seriously impressed with the handling, ride and class-leading cabin quality when we road tested the CX-30. With the extra wheelbase length increasing occupancy space, combined with the peppy and efficient petrol engines, we think the ‘big-small’ loving SUV public will be smitten with Mazda’s offering on its local arrival in January 2020.

CX-30 Australian Pricing

All prices are before on-road costs.

G20 Touring FWD $34,990
G25 Touring FWD $36,490
G25 Touring AWD $38,490
G20 Astina FWD $38,990
G25 Astina FWD $41,490
G25 Astina AWD $43,490
Vision package +$1,500

Correction: a previous version of this post inaccurately stated that the CX-30 Pure is not fitted with adaptive cruise control. It is. In addition, front parking sensors were missing from a list of features added through the Vision package.