The subcompact crossover vehicle has become a go-to choice for many buyers. These handy SUVs bring utility to the footprint of an economy sedan and make an ideal commuter car, second car, or city runabout. The Mazda CX-30 fits the bill here and brings Mazda benefits to the party, including styling, driving enjoyment, and reliability.
A certified pre-owned (CPO) model makes sense, too. Here, we’ll discuss the virtues of the 2021 Mazda CX-30 for used car shoppers.
The CX-30 is priced competitively with the Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Tucson, and other subcompact SUVs.
On driving the 2021 CX-30, our expert test driver said, “The 2021 Mazda CX-30 isn’t just another crossover. It doesn’t fit neatly into any pre-existing size categories. It packs a decent amount of power and has a chassis that’s perfectly suited to exploit that muscle. Like every other Mazda, there’s an aesthetic sensibility that’s rare in anything below the typical luxury level. A certain sophistication permeates everything the 2021 CX-30 does and has.”
If you want a small SUV with sharp design, crisp handling, and ample utility, the 2021 Mazda CX-30 might be your best choice.
Mazda Certified Pre-Owned
A Mazda CX-30 must be under six years old and have under 80,000 miles on the odometer to earn the CPO badge. A certified technician conducts a 160-point quality inspection, and the vehicle must have a clean vehicle history report.
Extended Warranty
A CPO Mazda comes with at least 12 months or 12,000 miles of warranty coverage. But Mazda may cover it for even longer. If the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty from when the vehicle was new is still applicable, the extended coverage doesn’t kick in until the original warranty expires.
Mazda covers powertrain parts for seven years or 100,000 miles from the vehicle’s original sale date and includes emergency roadside assistance for the same period.
These warranties are all transferrable if you need to sell the car — something that’s not true about every CPO program.
A Little Zoom-Zoom
Handling has always been a Mazda attribute. A little “Zoom-Zoom” is in the DNA of every Mazda vehicle. The CX-30 shares a platform with the Mazda3, a perennial favorite of drivers everywhere.
Our test driver said, “The feel from the steering is fantastic, letting the driver know what the front tires are doing while the handling has the right balance of comfort and poise. There’s no turbocharger under the hood of the base model, but — with 186 horsepower — power is relatively plentiful.”
Mazda bucks the trend toward continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVT) and sticks with a conventional geared automatic. Our test driver said, “The 6-speed automatic transmission is an ideal match. Mazda’s engineers feel there’s no need to cram in extra ratios if the transmission uses the correct ones in the first place. Selecting Sport mode holds those gears for longer, allowing the driver to access more of that muscle.”
Sharp Looks Inside and Out
Our expert reviewer said, “Admittedly, this is all subjective, but Mazda seems to have design chops that stand way apart (and arguably far above) every other Japanese manufacturer. Some of the lines on the CX-30 are subtle, only discernible at certain angles, yet it all works as a whole. The plastic side cladding detracts somewhat, but that comes with the crossover territory.”
The interior design impresses with high-quality materials and simple, elegant execution. In a class where hard plastics and utilitarian design seem to be the norm, the CX-30’s upscale and tasteful cabin layout stands out, and upper trim levels approach near-luxury appointments.
Turbo Power
While the base 4-cylinder engine in the CX-30 produces a healthy 185 horsepower, 2.5 Turbo models come with a class-leading 227 hp on regular gas. If you fill up with premium (93-octane) fuel, the 2.5 Turbo will grant you 250 hp. Enthusiasts will appreciate the option, while economists will be glad to know there’s no harm to the engine if you choose the lower-priced gas. Splurge if you know you’re out for a romp; save if you’re on your everyday slog.
Available All-Wheel Drive
The 2021 CX-30 is available with all-wheel drive (AWD) on non-turbo models where front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard. AWD is standard on 2.5 Turbo models. The added foul-weather grip and ability to take it lightly off-road are worth it.
Connectivity
In 2021, not every compact SUV came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. But every 2021 CX-30 has it. These systems mirror smartphone apps on the car’s central touchscreen, letting you access streaming music and navigation easily without taking your eyes far from the road. Bluetooth phone/audio streaming, Mazda Connect, two USB ports, and Multifunction Commander are standard and connect with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. Mazda chooses the Multifunction Commander interface over a touchscreen, reasoning that less distraction and reaching for the screen makes for a safer driving experience.
Excellent Safety Scores
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+. It earned the institute’s highest crash test score — Good — in all categories.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a 5-Star rating — the government’s highest score.
More Mazda CX-9
Our full review of the 2021 Mazda CX-30 will help determine if a Certified Pre-Owned version is right for you. If it’s checking the right boxes, find CPO Mazda CX-30 models for sale near you.
