Text by Tom Appel
2026 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Aire AWD
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Country of manufacture: Japan
Seating capability: 5
Color: Deep Crystal Blue Mica
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B- |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | C |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Value grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Consumer Guide’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B- |
| Tall Guy | B- |
| Big & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Big” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 227-250 horsepower 2.5-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-cylinder |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles Driven: 147
Observed gasoline financial system: 23.8 mpg
Driving combine: 70% metropolis, 30% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 22/30/25 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Fuel sort: Regular*
Base value: $34,410 not together with $5495 (vacation spot cost)
Options on check automobile: None
Price as examined (2025): $36,005
Audio-System Brand
N/A
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The nice: Class-leading cabin appointments, Sporty character
The good: Plenty of energy, stable really feel
The not so good: Mediocre gasoline financial system, smallish cabin
Review
Let me get the dangerous half out of the best way up entrance, the Mazda CX-30 is:
- Somewhat costly
- Tight on area
- Not as gasoline environment friendly as the opposite automobiles on this class

The Downside
But in case you are searching for one thing sporty, luxurious, and stable feeling, Mazda’s smallest crossover could attraction to you. I just like the CX-30 a lot, that I inspired by daughter to purchase one, which she did.
The Competition
That mentioned, we heartily advocate the Chevrolet Trax for sheer greenback worth and practicality, and the wonderful Nissan Kicks for content material, cabin lodging, and real-world gasoline financial system. And, the Corolla Cross Hybrid for anybody seeking to extract essentially the most attainable from their fuel price range.

Prices and Trim Levels

For 2026, the CX-30 trim-level lineup appears to be like like this:
- 2.5 S ($27,970)
- 2.5 S Select Sport ($29,655)
- 2.5 S Preferred ($31,285)
- 2.5 S Aire Edition ($31,845)
- 2.5 S Carbon Edition ($33,025)
- 2.5 S Premium ($35,135)
- 2.5 Turbo Aire ($36,005)
- 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus ($39,495)
New Trim stage
Though the CX-30 is little modified for 2026 (and fewer modified for 2027), there’s a lineup swap. Mazda has added the brand new 2.5 S Aire Edition to the center of the lineup, and has changed the two.5 Turbo Carbon Edition with the two.5 Turbo Air in the direction of the highest of the lineup. We’ll be speaking extra concerning the Turbo Aire in a second.
Engines

Again for 2026, All CX-30 fashions include normal AWD and a 6-speed computerized transmission. The 2.5 S trim ranges are powered by a 186-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine runs high-quality on regular-grade fuel.
The 2.5 Turbo Aire and Turbo Premium Plus characteristic a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4, which produces 227 horsepower when operating on common fuel, and a stout 250 horsepower when fed a weight-reduction plan of premium. Using common fuel is simply high-quality with Mazda, and won’t compromise your guarantee.
Test Car
Consumer Guide simply spent every week behind the wheel of a 2026 CX-30 Turbo Aire in Deep Crystal Blue Mica. Our check automobile got here to $36,005 together with vacation spot cost.
Gender Neutral
The now-discontinued Carbon Turbo featured upholstery and cabin appointments in pink and black tones, which had been good-looking, and arguably masculine. The grey tones within the Aire, and even the “Aire” identify doubtless symbolize a shift on the maker’s half to extend the little crossover’s attraction to girls.
Fit and Finish
Regardless, the Aire, like all CX-30 trim ranges, presents as premium, with top-level inside supplies, apparently glorious construct high quality, and a normal sense of solidity that provides to the crossover’s luxurious really feel underway.
Controls and Connectivity

Though the model’s redesigned CX-5 compact crossover is just not geared up with Mazda’s rotary-knob type management system, the CX-30 nonetheless is, and, frankly we nonetheless like it. Though it is going to take a while for these new to the model to acclimate to the setup, we discover it easy to make use of whereas the automobile is in movement, and customarily accommodating underneath any circumstance.
Room and Comfort
Front seat area is ample for folk underneath 6-foot tall. Taller of us will discover exiting and exiting the little Mazda one thing of a trouble, and room normally somewhat scarce. The rear seat is greatest left to teenager.
Power and Performance
Underway, the CX-30 shines, with elegant main energy, clean operation, and dealing with that favors drivers searching for an gratifying commute. The turbocharged engine is mostly clean, sounds somewhat snarky when pushed, and is at all times prepared to maneuver out. The alert 6-speed computerized transmission easily, however with authority.
Fuel Economy
In routine driving that favored metropolis use, we averaged just below 24 mpg. While that fuel-economy determine is ok by absolute requirements, it does path the opposite automobiles on this class, lots of which contact 30 mpg with cautious use.
Ride and Handing
The CX-30 experience is greatest described as comfortably agency, and possibly somewhat aggressive for some drivers. We respect the sense of management that comes with a sporty suspension setup, and the CX-30 delivers on that entrance, together with exact, hefty-feeling steering and robust brakes. Once settled in at freeway pace, the CX-30 feels relaxed, with a fairly quiet cabin, and not one of the dartiness some smaller automobiles could exhibit on the freeway.
Value
At $36,000, the Aire Turbo isn’t any cut price, however it’s an reasonably priced premium-feeling small crossover that appears like a robust worth given the extent of content material, elegant cabin, and total sense of workmanship.

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