2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo: What Are The Critics Saying?

We love Mazda's turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. Maximum horsepower is a soul-stirring 250. Torque swells across a plateau at 320 lb-ft. In a bigger vehicle like the three-row CX-9, the Skyactiv-G 2.5T is a genuine motivator. In the lighter Mazda CX-5 GT, CX-5 Signature, and CX-5 100th Anniversary Edition, the 2.5T reveals even more of its true character. 

Down another notch on the size ladder, the Skyactiv-G 2.5T is now available as an engine option in the top-spec 2021 Mazda CX-30 GT. The 250-horsepower CX-30 provides an incredible power-to-weight ratio in the CX-30. And with all-wheel drive standard in the GT model, the turbocharged CX-30 has no problem putting all of its power down.

So, what do the critics think? We checked with 10 reviewers from major publications to get an idea of how automotive experts feel. These are people who drive hundreds of cars per year and know the competition very well. 

What do they have to say?

Car And Driver: "For those looking for a subcompact SUV, the turbocharged CX-30 should be at the top of your list."

Driving.ca: "Where it exceeds is its fun quotient; the Turbo is, in the simplest terms, the crossover equivalent of the hot hatch."

CNET: "This utility vehicle continues to deliver a super-refined driving experience along with an interior that wouldn't look out of place in a luxury car, but now it offers the performance to match its premium feel."

The Car Connection: "You can hammer on the gas early, let the vehicle do the advanced calculations, and you come out of corners screaming forward. Helping the CX-30 Turbo is the fact that none of its competition comes close to being as fun to drive."

The Globe And Mail: "Well, Mazda has nailed it – though possibly not in the way you expected. This is not an edgy, overachieving pocket-rocket punk of a car. Instead, it feels mature. It has a feeling of substance."

Double Clutch: "There are simply no mainstream subcompact crossovers that can come close to the CX-30 Turbo's output, and it even manages to trump many entry-level luxury crossovers such as the BMW X1 xDrive28i and Mercedes-Benz GLA250."

Autoblog: "Considering the upmarket features, distinctive interior design, excellent driving characteristics and attractive price, the CX-30 Turbo absolutely deserves to be in the conversation for anybody considering this tiny crossover segment."

AutoGuide: "There are zero audible cues that the CX-30 is packing 35 percent more horsepower (250 on the good juice), or an enormous 72 percent more torque (320 lb-ft), either. It's only once you roll into the throttle that the Turbo reveals itself. This thing moves."

The Drive: "Its competitors will have a tough time matching this engine and transmission. The 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four delivers a tremendous torque from very low RPM all while sounding pleasant, making no harsh vibrations, and responding quickly to changes in throttle position."

The Star: "The addition of turbo power only adds another arrow to the CX-30’s premium quiver. It’s quick off the line, but its power delivery is effortless and buttoned down. It deploys its 320 lb-ft of twist with utmost efficiency, and that six-speed gearbox, while low on gears, manages it all with little drama. Speed and highway takeovers have rarely felt this painlessly fun."