Mazda CX-30 Pure 2021 review | base small SUV tested | Chasing Cars

We drive the Mazda CX-30 2.0L and see what this small SUV is like to drive.
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Is the entry-level Pure spec all you really need if you’re buying a new Mazda CX-30? The Pure is the base model CX-30 grade and while it loses points with a plastic steering wheel, the rest of the package is surprisingly premium. A lovely interior, expressive design outside and the best ride quality of the 2021 CX-30 lineup endear the Pure to us.
But is the new CX-30 the right compact crossover to buy? Or should you also consider the Toyota C-HR, Skoda Karoq, Volkswagen T-Roc and Ford Puma? And do the higher-tier CX-30 grades make more sense?
In today’s video, John takes a detailed look at the base model Mazda CX-30 Pure in 2.0L FWD guise to give you detailed insights about this vehicle.
What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.
While you’re there, please consider subscribing and joining our Chasing Cars community.
Time codes:
0:00 - What is the CX-30 Pure?
1:22 - Front interior
4:40 - Back seats
6:26 - Boot space
7:38 - Driving, Part 1
10:22 - Insurance, fuel economy, servicing, warranty
11:32 - Driving, Part 2
15:42 - Verdict on the base CX-30
Clarifications:
(1) The 2.5L engine is also available in FWD form (not just AWD, as stated)
(2) It's a $1,600 jump from the Pure automatic to the Evolve automatic, with leather steering wheel. It's a $2,600 jump from the Pure manual to the Evolve, which is only available with an automatic transmission - not $3,000, as stated.

[@chasingcars]

We'd like to make two points of clarification: (1) the 2.5L engine is also available in FWD form (not just AWD, as stated), and secondly, it's only a $1,600 jump from the Pure automatic to the Evolve automatic, with leather steering wheel. It's a $2,600 jump from the Pure manual to the Evolve, which is only available with an automatic transmission.

[@mixalis6168]

I hate all the black plastic cladding !!!

[@magicalmacaw]

So glad to finally see a review of the entry level model.

[@nine8three310]

Love the entry level reviews.

[@mitchco6704]

Totally agree. I hate to admit it, but fancy speakers, moonroofs and leather seats aren’t of interest to me when car shopping.

[@jgc4703]

I never felt the engine to be lacking. Even with 3 passengers, doesnt feel like it struggles. Still lovin’ mine!

[@cityplanner3063]

I guess we’re just not sporty drivers. Compared to my CVT ASX this 2.0L 6 speed auto so much better

[@thomaskoh3289]

Please keep it up with the entry level reviews! We love these!

[@mrheyfuckoff1]

I wholeheartedly disagree with the hatred over the plastic wheel. I love a plastic steering wheel Leather wheels get all sweaty, plastic wheels don't. I sat in a Mazda3 G20 Pure and honestly loved that it looked so modern whilst retaining that versatile plastic wheel.

[@jili7380]

Got the touring 2 months ago. Absolutely love it

[@lsiv12]

Lol. When that pastry came out of nowhere 🤣 Nice review!

[@veilside33]

I regularly eat pastries in my car on my lunch break from work so this is actually really useful info.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Good review John. I'm liking these base model reviews. Taste is subjective true. I shall keep my opinion to myself. (Hey Tom, make choppy choppy with the Chasing Cars Dog Logo stickers! My R56 needs that on it)

[@terrencesielaff7254]

I love the entry level car it’s perfect for me an my wife we’ve recently bought a cx-30 pure

[@tabes10]

It's great the mulitmedia isnt touch screen because it's a distraction to drivers. Plus finger prints aren't too pretty on screens. The gloss black just needs to go around the gear console, so easy to scratch with little ease.

[@chloemwip]

I have a CX30 evolve, love it! I spent the extra money basically for dual zone climate control and leather steering wheel. But the pure has all the safety features you really need.

[@Lulu-oi9ue]

I bought the Mazda 3 evolve for the same specs. Added the vision technology too. Got all the bells and whistles and I got for good price. Looking to get the cx30 to upgrade our second car.

[@usernamesample8386]

@@Lulu-oi9ue May I ask how much did you pay for it?

[@zksnxtrap]

In Australia you pay $36,000 For The Evolve

[@trevorhsu6357]

So here in the us I'm considering a base 2.5 Mazda 3 sedan, which comes with the plastic steering wheel, and just sourcing a leather steering wheel to install. You can find them on the used market for a few hundred USD, probably under $400-500 aud

[@damo5701]

Thanks John, an informative review. After 15 years of driving turbos I wouldn't want to go back to a normally aspirated 4 cylinder. G20 engine is way under powered for my personal requirements and whilst the G25 would be adequate I would still like more grunt. If Mazda Australia had managed to bring in the turbo, available in some other markets, I would already have purchased a CX-30; a really nice package let down by the engines imo. X20 seems a bit pointless, doesn't offer much more grunt nor significant fuel economy improvements for the price premium.

[@Trial_Master]

Looking at G25 FWD Astina. I would like to work out if my bike would fit in boot without front wheel on and rear seats down. Bike length is approx 1.4m.

[@eamonnixon9571]

Do a review of the Toyota Prado gx pls

[@mindithemermaid]

I pick up my CX30 Pure in 2 days, I like your review, I hope I like it :)

[@annalorenachan3436]

How was it?

[@nephilimdj]

@@annalorenachan3436 We ended up settling on g20 touring for 38k drive away,. Super happy

[@lukuscannon9697]

There is a reason why you use the rotary dial because using a touch screen while driving is very distracting hence why people crash just saying

[@JimboJones99]

My parents have the Evolve . They absolutely love it. If you can afford the extra $$$ , get the Evolve over the (plastic steering wheel) Pure

[@IsaacLoven]

In 2023 the Pure now has a leather steering wheel. Big win.

[@robertbarnier45]

Looks good to me

[@ampm9771]

IMO the best CX-30 is the base model in black. BTW I think the rear track is narrower than the front track which is odd considering it's a high car. BTW what colour is this? Jet black?

[@adimension8363]

One question base model or select package???

[@andysingh2977]

Broooooo you look sooo different without the glasses

[@ashalim79]

What's the package name that includes the custard tart? I thought the boot space was in the 300L mark instead of 400?

[@worrywart1311]

That's the Portuguese package.

[@malvagik8953]

My question is out of topic a bit: is the new cx5 going to be discounted by 2023? I don't want to risk to buy an outdated model .. any info/tips will be highly appreciated

[@oscarr6576]

No, cx5 is the Mazda's best selling suv model so it will not be discounted.

[@francoalmanza4070]

How come the price online says 29k and on the website is 33k

[@classic287]

Mechanical breakdowns are issues, not plastic interior parts

[@RMG0785]

Diff between Pure and Evolve is 1600, need to compare auto to auto pricing. Leather steering, climate control, rear air vents, rear sliding armrest with cupholder, auto dimming rear view, passenger seat height adjustment etc..

[@ashokvarma351]

I need 6 speed manual on this :(

[@ayame23i]

Any news if the CX-8 will be refreshed for 2022?

[@chasingcars]

Pretty likely we'll see something before the end of the year, but I'm only about 50% certain

[@IsaacLoven]

From 2023 Cx30 Pure bottom model has leather steering wheel

[@danielmcmechan9315]

The CX-30 looks nice but there is too much plastic on the outside, around the wheel arches and therefore makes it look cheaper

[@Lulu-oi9ue]

I think it looks great and is practical since it’s an SUV. Few competitors also do large plastic arches for their SUVs so not the only ones doing this design.

[@yaolungkhong]

Just keep a Dyson vacuum in the boot and enjoy the tart!

[@leonted4290]

It's not exactly the worst looking but out of all the new Mazda's, its front kinda looks like a Mustang with a bigger grille 😅

[@Luceq]

Looks great. Hopefully Mazda will bring the turbo petrol.

[@viratkohli931]

Turbos are not required for small engines,, they just reduce the engine life

[@P4TR1C3508]

I've heard some people complaining about the aircon being weak. Can anyone confirm this?

[@couchpotato1234]

hmmm. hard to answer, although i have a cx-30, i live in japan and mine is made here in japan too. the aircon is actually pretty good, i have no problem, but as i said, mine is made here in japan...so idk.

[@2434ecila]

I've had my cx-30 for about a month and a half, I wouldn't classify it as weak.

[@cityplanner3063]

Driving to Bathurst my windows started to fog up and had to blast the AC to full blast. Never had that issue in any other car.

[@usernamesample8386]

This car is getting a leather steering wheel for the 2022 model year.

[@philiplee7604]

Effectively, $3,000 for a leather steering wheel !… shame on Mazda, should be standard fitment. The base model Suzuki swift gets one as standard, so Mazda Australia, should correct this issue as a priority .As you say, a nice tactile feel from a leather steering wheel just makes the everyday driving experience a pleasure.

[@HaseebShafaqat]

Its not just that. Obviously other things are included. Most probably dual zone automatic climate control, rear vents, rear cupholders etc

[@RMG0785]

No it's 1600 as Evolve is auto only so need to compare auto to auto pricing. Leather steering, climate control, rear air vents, read sliding armrest with cupholder, auto dimming rear view, passenger seat height adjustment. They acknowledged it too the the comments that the video was wrong.

[@usernamesample8386]

It is standard now.

[@splen12]

Wrong its has 317lt boot space..

[@TheHarleyH]

These plastic trims on wheels arches need to go. It is such a terrible look on so many vehicles.

[@andrewmihaleff]

I'm ok with the trim in general but CX3 and CX30 have them way too big. CX5/8/9 are more tasteful

[@ComedicInc]

They really wanted to hide the fact that it's basically a Mazda 3, and as ugly as they are I can't think of any other way to do that

[@andrewmihaleff]

@@ComedicInc I'm sure that's the main reason for it. But again the bigger Mazda SUVs have smaller cladding and it seems to work just fine

[@terenceting26]

Mazda's infotainment graphics is better than Honda Toyota Nissan and the like, but it's just as laggy as the rest. VW is much smoother.

[@malcolmt960]

I own the CX-30 Turbo version. This car is absolutely AWFUL on a bumpy road. Forget potholes, feels like the front end is going to break.

[@chasingcars]

Does that have the 18-inch wheels?

[@mctend9108]

Move to a country with decent roads.

[@kalsangtseten309]

Huge side rubber on the wheel is so big and not looking cool at all. Keep it small like Cx 5

[@transitory3368]

Cheaper to replace plastic than panel beat metal though

[@OFDCLK]

It misses out on the nets and the hooks like a European car, is because its a Japanese car dude...im sure you know this lol

[@tonys8243]

Almost everyone I know the first thing they do when they buy a new car is to put a steering wheel cover and seat covers on ...

[@jaredebeling1412]

Plastic steering wheels are awful and Mazda are still using these for the base models after so many years ! Just charge a bit more and put some leather on it Mazda!

[@seth1455]

all the plastic round the wheel arches etc is just ugly and unnecessary

[@beyondtheclouds95]

wtf eats their custard tart in the car

[@motorheadxi]

Camry

[@worrywart1311]

A Camry is in a completely different category and not in any way a competitor to a CX-30, which is nearly 20 inches shorter in length.

[@greencap8845]

Back seat too small for adults

[@vinceliu1397]

You don't look comfortable at all in the back seat.

[@ardmrad9278]

Mazda has turned itself into a joke!

[@TheSoreven]

This is one of the worst looking internal car designs I have ever seen in my life. And I say it even in comparrison to 20 or 30 years old cars. The external design is okeish, but is repeated in every possible Mazda car which makes it a bit boring.