Now that you’ve settled on purchasing from a car manufacturer that emphasizes versatility and luxury, comparing the Mazda CX-30 vs. Mazda CX-5 is the last hurdle between your family and the perfect daily commute. These small SUVs are adaptable and versatile vehicles, offering over 200 horsepower on their available engines, standard AWD functionality, and excellent infotainment like the standard or optional (depending on model) 10.25-inch center display with the Mazda navigation.
However, the differences between Mazda CX-30 and Mazda CX-5 models include cargo space, towing capacity, fuel efficiency, and overall maneuverability, making each of them uniquely situated for your life situation. We at Gunther Mazda will walk through all the reasons to purchase one or the other so you can schedule a test drive with your family.
Mazda is dedicated to evolving its crossovers to maximize customer satisfaction. For 2025, both the Mazda CX-30 and Mazda CX-5 received sweeping tech upgrades across several trims. The Mazda CX-30, for example, now has an enhanced navigation system and voice command compatibility, while the Mazda CX-5 offers wireless Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and phone charging as early as its Carbon Edition trim. However, these vehicles generally resemble their old selves, and comparing the 2024 Mazda CX-30 and 2024 Mazda CX-5 versions would draw similar conclusions to those below.
The Mazda CX-30 has a lower starting price than the Mazda CX-5 – a pattern that holds if you go up both vehicles’ trim ladders one rung at a time, amounting to eight versatile options for each SUV.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 comes in the following trims:
Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-5 has the following tiers:
In addition to having an impact on your features, your trim level can determine your vehicle’s performance, with upper-level trims utilizing the available turbocharged engine:
2025 MAZDA CX-30 |
vs. |
2025 MAZDA CX-5 |
| SKYACTIV®-G 2.5L 4-cyl | Standard Engine | SKYACTIV®-G 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 191 | Standard Horsepower | 187 |
| 186 lb-ft | Standard Torque | 185-186 lb-ft (depending on trim) |
| 26/331 | EPA-Estimated MPG (City/Hwy) |
|
| SKYACTIV®-G 2.5L turbo | Available Engine | SKYACTIV®-G 2.5L turbo |
| 227-250 (depending on fuel) | Available Horsepower | 227-256 (depending on fuel) |
| 310-320 lb-ft (depending on fuel) | Available Torque | 310-320 lb-ft (depending on fuel) |
| 22 / 301 | EPA-Estimated MPG (City/Hwy) | 22 / 271 |
| i-ACTIV AWD® with Off-Road Traction Assist | Drivetrain | i-ACTIV AWD® |
| SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-speed sport auto |
Transmission | SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-speed automatic with manual shift and Sport mode |
| Not recommended | Towing Capacity | 2,000 lbs2 |
| 12.7 gal | Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.3 |
| FIND MY MAZDA CX-30 | FIND MY MAZDA CX-5 |
As you can observe from these Mazda CX-30 vs. Mazda CX-5 specs, the Mazda CX-30 is more fuel-efficient on the highway but lacks the towing potential and top horsepower of the Mazda CX-5. However, through a combination of i-ACTIV AWD with Off-Road Traction Assist and a slightly higher ground riding height, the Mazda CX-30 is more capable during light cross-country adventures across its entire trim lineup.
Of these two crossovers, the Mazda CX-30 is the smaller option, technically qualifying as a subcompact SUV. However, no matter the crossover you and your family climb into, spacious legroom and comfortable headroom await. Here’s a closer look at the 2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. Mazda CX-5 size comparison:
vs.
Length
Height
Width
Min Ground Riding Height
Seating Capacity
Cargo Capacity
Max Cargo Capacity
Legroom (1st/2nd Row)
Headroom (1st/2nd Row)
The Mazda CX-30 has more first-row legroom than the Mazda CX-5. However, adults in the second row might prefer one of our Mazda CX-5 lease specials.
The Mazda CX-5 also gives your family more elbow room and greater cargo capacity, making it a prime option for families with a lot to move and a busy schedule. However, crews that drive through the city may prefer the maneuverable size of the Mazda CX-30 to make parking or traffic navigation simpler.
Comfort is the priority once you climb into either crossover, though the Mazda CX-5 offers just a bit more once you reach the top levels. While both crossovers offer available leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink®, the larger SUV can have ventilated front seats starting on the 2.5 S Premium Plus trim alongside other luxury add-ons.
In total, your interior choices for the Mazda CX-30 include:
Your upholstery options for the Mazda CX-5 are:
As for the exterior, here are the colors these two vehicles share in common:
One difference in the 2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison is their white exterior paint colors. The Mazda CX-30 can wear Snowflake White Pearl Mica, while the Mazda CX-5 has Rhodium White Metallic.
Mazda automakers take safety seriously, which is why both vehicles are outfitted with the following standard driver assistance features:
Upper-level trims of both models have more advanced features, such as a 360-Degree Monitor and a windshield-projected Active Driving Display. However, the Mazda CX-5 also contains Traffic Jam Assist in its two upper-level trims.
The Mazda CX-5 has a standard four-speaker system, but this can be upgraded to six speakers or a Bose® 10-speaker sound system in upper trims. In the Mazda CX-30, lower-tier models have six speakers, which can be enhanced to an eight-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics or a 12-speaker Bose® premium sound system. Both crossovers develop the ability to connect to Apple CarPlay® and Android Autoâ„¢ wirelessly in their midlevel tiers, as well as wirelessly charge phones. We’re going to call this particular Mazda CX-30 vs. Mazda CX-5 battle a tie.
Of course, to take advantage of these features with a shorter-term commitment than financing, you can always lease a Mazda CX-30 or Mazda CX-5 instead of buying one.
These excellent vehicles each have strong advantages. The Mazda CX-30 is more competitively priced and nimble, while the Mazda CX-5 has more cargo room, towing capacity, and standard luxury features. While it’s hard to go wrong with either SUV, our team at Gunther Mazda is ready to help you dive deep into the differences between Mazda CX-30 and Mazda CX-5 models. You can even schedule a test drive of both vehicles.
Please let our representatives know if you have any other questions about these crossovers or any other Mazda car or SUV in our inventory! They’ll happily walk through any aspect of Mazda ownership you have a question on, whether you want to compare new and used inventory through a 2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. 2024 Mazda CX-5 comparison or you want to see what complimentary maintenance you can receive by working with our dealership.
Whether the Mazda CX-30 or Mazda CX-5 is right for you depends on what you’re looking to get out of your ride. If your primary concern is fuel efficiency, the smaller Mazda CX-30 uses less gas. However, the Mazda CX-5 offers you more cargo room and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.2 Either model is a fantastic choice for a small crossover SUV.
The Mazda CX-30 is smaller than the Mazda CX-5. It technically qualifies as a subcompact crossover SUV, while the Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover. Being smaller can have advantages, like easier parking, and you will not feel cramped with 41.7 inches of front legroom. However, the Mazda CX-5 is better for those who want a more spacious second row.
The Mazda CX-5 is bigger than the Mazda CX-30, although the Mazda CX-30 has better ride height. The Mazda CX-5 is the more luxurious of the two crossover SUVs, but it comes at a higher starting price if you compare similar trim levels. Choose the Mazda CX-30 for better highway fuel efficiency or light offroading capability or the Mazda CX-5 for better cargo room.
1EPA-estimated mileage. Actual results will vary.
2Towing capacities shown are maximums and must be reduced by the weight of any passenger, cargo hitch or optional equipment in the towing vehicle. Please refer to vehicle Owner’s Manual for details regarding towing capacities and other valuable information. Towing a trailer may have an effect on vehicle’s handling, braking, durability, performance and driving economy. For specific information on recommended or required equipment, see your Mazda Dealer. Hitches are available through manufacturers other than Mazda.
