Makes›Mazda›CX-30›2021

2021 Mazda CX-30

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles: Cx30 4dr SUV AWD, Cx30 4dr SUV FWD
Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 186–227 hp
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 28 combined · 25 city / 33 hwy
Length: 172.8 in
Curb weight: 3,146–3,342 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 173 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,342 lb (Cx30 4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 33 highway), 6% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2021

Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 CX-30 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine227 hp2.5L turbo 4-cyl

Engine186 hp2.5L 4-cyl

Transmission6-speed automatic

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

Premium PackagePremium Plus PackageSelect PackageCX-30

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Blind-spot interventionStandard

Rear cross-traffic alertStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Salamanca, Guanajuato

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 CX-30 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
Cx30 4dr SUV AWD	172.8 in	70.9 in	61.8 in	104.3 in	61.8 / 61 in	3,342 lb	60/40
Cx30 4dr SUV FWD	172.8 in	70.9 in	61.8 in	104.3 in	61.8 / 61 in	3,146 lb	62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
CX-30 2WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	25 / 33 / 28	+6%	$2,400	313
CX-30 2WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	25 / 33 / 28	+6%	$2,400	319
CX-30 4WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	4-Wheel Drive	24 / 31 / 26	+9%	$2,600	334
CX-30 4WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	4-Wheel Drive	24 / 31 / 26	+9%	$2,600	341
CX-30 4WD	2.5L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	4-Wheel Drive	22 / 30 / 25	+5%	$2,700	353

6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

6/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

26.4 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2021 Mazda CX-30 SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 5★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	14.7%
2021 Mazda CX-30 SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 5★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	15.5%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2021 Mazda CX-30 SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2021 Mazda CX-30 SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 small SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2021 Mazda CX-30 (this car)	28 MPG	★★★★★	2
2021 Toyota RAV4	40 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime	38 MPG	Not rated	4
2021 Honda CR-V	38 MPG	★★★★★	5
2021 Ford Bronco	21 MPG	Not rated	20
2021 Hyundai Tucson	25 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Subaru Forester	29 MPG	★★★★★	0

Recalls (2)

Tires › Valve · Feb 22, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V101000 · 599 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
Risk: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate · Feb 18, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V086000 · 13,857 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-30 vehicles. When fully opened, the power liftgate may partially lower unexpectedly when the vehicle is parked facing uphill on a slope.
Risk: If the power liftgate unexpectedly lowers while a person is accessing the rear storage area of the vehicle, it can increase their risk of injury.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power liftgate control module software and inspect the serial number of the power liftgate drive unit, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4621B.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Mazda CX-30 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

101Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

10Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

13Injuries reported

5,078 miTypical mileage at failure

Engine49

Electrical System14

Unknown Or Other10

Visibility/Wiper9

Power Train8

Vehicle Speed Control7

Service Brakes6

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking5

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Mazda CX-30 buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Engine — 49 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Electrical System — 14 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Visibility/Wiper — 9 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 5,078 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Mazda CX-30. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CX-30 years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2026 CX-30	27	172.8 in	Not rated	0	4
2025 CX-30	29	172.8 in	★★★★★	1	26
2024 CX-30	29	172.8 in	★★★★★	2	33
2023 CX-30	29	172.8 in	★★★★★	1	25
2022 CX-30	26	172.8 in	★★★★★	1	33
2020 CX-30	28	172.8 in	★★★★★	3	34

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →