Mazda CX-5 vs. Mazda CX-30
Two of the more popular SUVs on the market are the Mazda CX-5 and the Mazda CX-30. The reason for this is that they both have a lot to offer in terms of performance, luxury, and interior space. And while these vehicles are pretty similar, there are some differences that may make one of them a better fit for you than the other. With that in mind, we’ve compared the two vehicles to help you decide which one is best for you.
Style and Shape

From the outside, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and the 2023 Mazda CX-30 look very similar. They’re both compact SUVs, meaning they’re roughly the same size. However, the CX-5 is a little taller and longer, while the CX-30 is a little sleeker. Both vehicles also offer many of the same color options, so which exterior design you prefer will really come down to your own personal preferences.
Performance Specs
Under the hood, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and the 2023 Mazda CX-30 offer similar equipment, but there are some significant differences. For starters, inside the CX-5, you’ll find either the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque or the more powerful version of the same engine, which generates 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both engines pair with a six-speed automatic transmission and come with all-wheel drive, which delivers a responsive and reliable driving experience in all sorts of conditions.
Inside the CX-30, you can also get one of two engines. The standard option is the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as in the CX-5, but this time, it delivers 191 horsepower. The other option is the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which delivers up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. As with the 2023 Mazda CX-5, this model comes with both a six-speed transmission and all-wheel drive.
As for fuel efficiency, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 has two ratings, one for each engine. The base engine gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged engine comes in at 22 and 27 mpg, respectively. The 2023 Mazda CX-30 has slightly higher ratings overall, with the standard engine getting an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway and the turbocharged engine earning 22 and 30 mpg, respectively.
Interior Space
Both the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and the 2023 Mazda CX-30 offer spacious and comfortable cabins. However, the CX-5’s cabin is a little larger, coming in at 103.6 cubic feet for passenger space, compared to 94.1 cubic feet for the CX-30. This translates to more headroom and legroom inside the 2023 CX-5, although you should have plenty in either model. However, if you’re a taller driver, or if you expect to have taller passengers, you might appreciate the extra inches inside the CX-5.
Similarly, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 offers more cargo space. Depending on which options you select, you can get either 29.1 or 30.8 cubic feet of storage space in the cargo area. This is significantly larger than the 2023 Mazda CX-30, which only offers 20.2 cubic feet of space behind the back seats.
Comfort and Entertainment
One of the great things about choosing between the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and the 2023 Mazda CX-30 is that they both offer luxurious and comfortable interiors. For example, the 2023 CX-5 features premium materials throughout the cabin along with an excellent layout for optimized comfort and accessibility. Similarly, you can get your 2023 CX-30 with advanced features such as leather upholstery or a power-operated rear liftgate for added convenience and comfort.
Both the CX-5 and CX-30 also feature an infotainment system in the center dashboard. In the Mazda CX-5, the dashboard screen is 10.25 inches, while the Mazda CX-30 comes with an 8.8-inch screen. Standard inclusions for both vehicles are Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. With this technology, it’s easy to connect your preferred media source and adjust all sorts of vehicle functions and features.
Safety Features
Both the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and the 2023 Mazda CX-30 feature a wide range of safety features that are designed to protect you while you drive. Standard features for both models include:
- Smart brake support.
- Lane departure warning.
- Adaptive cruise control.
- LATCH child safety anchors and tethers.
All of these features are just one reason why the 2023 Mazda CX-5 received an overall five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (the 2023 Mazda CX-30 has yet to receive a score). Beyond these standard safety features, there are also optional additional features, such as a head-up display and blind-spot monitoring, which can protect you and your new SUV even more.
Trims and Starting MSRPs
The final major differences between these two SUVs are the available trims and their respective starting MSRPs. The available trims for the 2023 Mazda CX-5 include:
- S: $26,700.
- S Select: $28,500.
- S Preferred: $30,190.
- S Carbon Edition: $31,100.
- S Premium: $33,000.
- S Premium Plus: $35,500.
- Turbo: $36,850.
- Turbo Signature: $39,650.
For the 2023 Mazda CX-30, the available trims are:
- S: $22,950.
- S Select: $25,400.
- S Preferred: $28,550.
- S Carbon Edition: $29,290.
- S Premium: $31,500.
- Turbo Premium: $33,800.
- Turbo Premium Plus: $35,400.
As you can see, the Mazda CX-30 is generally a little more affordable than the Mazda CX-5. However, the CX-5 may have some features that you want that aren’t included in comparable trims from the CX-30. We highly recommend exploring the available options for each trim to see which one best suits your needs and budget.
Explore the Latest Mazda SUVs at Mazda of Orange
Whether it’s the Mazda CX-5, the Mazda CX-30, or another SUV, if you’re in the Orange, California, area, Mazda of Orange is here to help. We have the latest Mazda SUVs and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about them. Please contact us today with any questions or to schedule a visit to our dealership, where we can take you out for a test drive. Both the Mazda CX-30 and the Mazda CX-5 are excellent SUV options, and we look forward to showing you why.
Image by Mazda via 2023 Mazda CX-5 – Redesigned Crossover SUV | Mazda USA
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