Consumers have a lot of options when it comes to compact crossovers these days. They’re stylish, often fun to drive, and among the more affordable new vehicles.
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus gives the brand a top competitor in the segment.
Perhaps none embody all of these traits as ably as the 2026 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus. Our top-of-the-line tester came in Soul Red Crystal Metallic, which is worth the extra $595 it costs. It also comes with 18-inch black alloy wheels that give the little ute some gravitas.
Mazda be nimble …
The heart of the CX-30 Turbo is the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. It puts out 227 horsepower tied to paddle shifts that make the CX-30 a blast to drive. I put it through its paces on a curvy road near my home and it responded eagerly. It’s balances and responsive, although the steering is a bit numb.
Still, it goes where point it — with some zeal. With standard all-wheel drive, it’s especially good in winter weather, which came with regularity during my week with the CX-30. It does all this while offering stellar fuel economy: 25 miles per gallon combined.
It’s what’s on the inside …
Our top-of-the-line tester came in Soul Red Crystal Metallic, which is worth the extra $595 it costs.
And while that alone would be plenty impressive, one only need move into the cabin and its tight fit-and-finish, leather-trimmed heated seats, 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Bose sound system, to see Mazda is a premium piece of machinery.
The seats are comfortable and offer two pre-sets in the Premium Plus variant. The second row features the same type of seats, but this is one area where the CX-30 falls short.
It’s pretty tight back there and if you’re much taller than about 5-foot-8, you may feel a bit squished. The cargo area’s not bad, although a bit smaller than most of its competition.
Top technology
The aforementioned infotainment system is controlled another shortcoming: the multi-function commander controls, which is a big round knob where a nice armrest should go. It’s multi-function because you can turn the knob or use it like a joystick to move around the screen. It’s annoying and I can’t believe anyone at Mazda still thinks this is a good thing.
The CX-30’s cabin with its tight fit-and-finish, leather-trimmed heated seats, 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Bose sound system shows it to be a premium piece of machinery.
That said, I do like the little volume control wheel next to it. It makes sense and I can adjust the volume without adjusting my seating position or line of sight at all to use it. The wireless charging pad is very good and in very usable spot.
Of course, it comes laden with all the latest technology that tells you when you should stop and then will stop the car if you decide not to as well as things like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Would I?
In a tough segment, the Mazda CX-30 is a standout for its looks and performance. It’s also reasonably priced, starting at just under $27,000 although out fully loaded tester came in at $41,180, which is not cheap, although it’s certainly not the most expensive model in the group.
If you believe in getting what you pay for, then you’ll love the CX-30.
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