Great review. I have actually been looking at both of these vehicles as a possible replacement for my Honda Passport. So thanks for the comparison. I don’t need as much room anymore. I really like how Mazda offer turbos on all their vehicles all the way down to their smallest CX30.
i enjoy all of his reviews. no super-duper mechanical engineer stuff, but real world everyday driving stuff. nails it. i watch every vid he puts out. speaking of super-duper mech stuff....the cx5 and cx30 are very different. at least from the the front seatback to the rear bumper, and underneath. underneath especially. 30 is closer to the 50 than 5. Much. looking forward to next video from this channel.
I had both at the same time, For driving and engine and trans tunning I am with xx30, It drives amazing in its class. The only reason I go for cx5 is space. I could easily notice that cx30 has newer platform than cx5
I bought a used 2023 CX-30 AWD Turbo Premium several months ago, before the 2025's were available. I normally do not buy a used car, but it was from a Mazda dealer and it had less than 2,000 miles. They used it as a loaner. I figured I rather have the $9,000 than a new 2024. It is very fun to drive. It doesn't handle as well as my old VW GTI. To be fair, the CX-30 is a SUV, not a Hot Hatch. LOL It does handle better than my brother's Hyundai Sonata or old Maxima, which says a lot. A CX-30 Turbo is a good transition to a SUV for me, especially since I can't afford a Porshe Macan. LOL My wife hated my GTI and likes the CX-30 so much better. I live in NYC so a shorter vehicle is an advantage for street parking. I was concerned about space, but my wife and I are short and our 2 year old is a 2 year old. She doesn't complan about the space. lol
I’ve always liked Mazda for its driver focused ergonomics, their signature red metallic paint, and well finished interiors (with maybe one area of improvement, the location of the touchscreen which has always seemed to be tacked on rather than arranged within easier reach of the driver). One thing that concerns me about Mazda in general has been a lack of emphasis on fuel efficiency. Rather than borrowing an engine and transmission from its sister company, Toyota, they better focus on their own internal combustion engines, and a better integrated hybrid system. While we will have a new administration that certainly will undo efficiency requirements, USA is not Mazda’s only customer. And if fuel prices go up drastically, so will go down Mazda’s market share. Hybrid designs, if done right can replace expensive improvisations such as turbo chargers and superchargers, with the torque of electric assist… full-size EV could be considered in the future when solid state batteries are available.
You bring up some very good points. It will be interesting to see what Mazda does in the future and how they’ll stay competitive enough in each of their markets. I’m excited to drive the Hybrid 50 soon. But I feel that will be an interesting experience to have the Toyota powertrain and less impressive AWD system under the hood of that vehicle. Although both companies 2.5L engine do have quite similar characteristics.
I absolutely agree! I only film cars part time so my time available to get out and do these videos is more limited than I’d prefer. Otherwise it was always been low wind, clear sky, low density altitude, and solar noon haha.
My sister has the cx5 and I have the cx-30 which I find more fun to drive. I don't use the back seat much so I don't care about having a small back seat. I just enjoy the more lively feel of the cx-30 and I live that it is smaller and also easier to fit in parking spots.
Do not get cx5 or switch, Cx5 is older platform. Go for cx70 or 90 or wait until Mazda renew cx5. The transmission tunning and smoothness is at another level in Cx30. I traded my cx5 GT with just 2k km on it with BMW but kept the cx30.
The engine wasn’t actually that dusty, it was the way the yellowish early morning light was hitting it. But the paint was quite dirty. Individual reviews I always try to take the car through the wash first, but sometimes when filming multiple cars it’s more difficult to put all the pieces together. Also depending on how much time I have to film that day or how long the vehicles are available for. Ultimately, I’m sorry about that they should have been more presentable. But also, this is often what our vehicles look like once not brand new, so it does give some insight to the dirty colors. 🤷♂️🤪
Great review. I have actually been looking at both of these vehicles as a possible replacement for my Honda Passport. So thanks for the comparison. I don’t need as much room anymore. I really like how Mazda offer turbos on all their vehicles all the way down to their smallest CX30.
Thanks! Definitely test drive a turbo 30, they’re a hoot haha.
i enjoy all of his reviews. no super-duper mechanical engineer stuff, but real world everyday driving stuff. nails it. i watch every vid he puts out. speaking of super-duper mech stuff....the cx5 and cx30 are very different. at least from the the front seatback to the rear bumper, and underneath. underneath especially. 30 is closer to the 50 than 5. Much. looking forward to next video from this channel.
I had both at the same time, For driving and engine and trans tunning I am with xx30, It drives amazing in its class. The only reason I go for cx5 is space. I could easily notice that cx30 has newer platform than cx5
It really does drive smoothly! I am in a loaner CX30 and I am very impressed!
I bought a used 2023 CX-30 AWD Turbo Premium several months ago, before the 2025's were available. I normally do not buy a used car, but it was from a Mazda dealer and it had less than 2,000 miles. They used it as a loaner. I figured I rather have the $9,000 than a new 2024.
It is very fun to drive. It doesn't handle as well as my old VW GTI. To be fair, the CX-30 is a SUV, not a Hot Hatch. LOL It does handle better than my brother's Hyundai Sonata or old Maxima, which says a lot. A CX-30 Turbo is a good transition to a SUV for me, especially since I can't afford a Porshe Macan. LOL My wife hated my GTI and likes the CX-30 so much better.
I live in NYC so a shorter vehicle is an advantage for street parking. I was concerned about space, but my wife and I are short and our 2 year old is a 2 year old. She doesn't complan about the space. lol
Haha, that’s awesome. I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
If you lower head rest on rear seats, they will lay down flatter. Extended they catch the front seat.
I’ve always liked Mazda for its driver focused ergonomics, their signature red metallic paint, and well finished interiors (with maybe one area of improvement, the location of the touchscreen which has always seemed to be tacked on rather than arranged within easier reach of the driver). One thing that concerns me about Mazda in general has been a lack of emphasis on fuel efficiency. Rather than borrowing an engine and transmission from its sister company, Toyota, they better focus on their own internal combustion engines, and a better integrated hybrid system. While we will have a new administration that certainly will undo efficiency requirements, USA is not Mazda’s only customer. And if fuel prices go up drastically, so will go down Mazda’s market share. Hybrid designs, if done right can replace expensive improvisations such as turbo chargers and superchargers, with the torque of electric assist… full-size EV could be considered in the future when solid state batteries are available.
You bring up some very good points. It will be interesting to see what Mazda does in the future and how they’ll stay competitive enough in each of their markets. I’m excited to drive the Hybrid 50 soon. But I feel that will be an interesting experience to have the Toyota powertrain and less impressive AWD system under the hood of that vehicle. Although both companies 2.5L engine do have quite similar characteristics.
It would have been better to do this video when the sun was overhead. Better overall light and no shadows.
I absolutely agree! I only film cars part time so my time available to get out and do these videos is more limited than I’d prefer. Otherwise it was always been low wind, clear sky, low density altitude, and solar noon haha.
Which one drives better?
I think the 30 does because it’s smaller and smaller lighter weight cars are often more engaging to drive.
My sister has the cx5 and I have the cx-30 which I find more fun to drive. I don't use the back seat much so I don't care about having a small back seat. I just enjoy the more lively feel of the cx-30 and I live that it is smaller and also easier to fit in parking spots.
CX-30 has a ground clearance of 8.0 inches not 6.9
Yes it does.
I believe the 2025 CX-5 has cylinder deactivation & auto start-stop on the non-turbo.
There’s some variation I’ve seen between the examples I’ve driven. Idk if supply chain issues are still a thing but it’s interesting.
the top trims of the NA do. lower, no.
you can turn off the cylinder deactivate on the new 25's. I'm not sure about all the models, we just bought a 2025 carbon, and it has it.
When you drop the Seats you remove the Head rest and they will lay flat.
Does the driver have more room in cx 5?
I currently have cx 30, and it's ok, but a bit tight, so I am wondering if I should switch to cx 5..
I think there’s a little more room in the 5, but not a drastic amount. More of the size difference seems to play into the back seats and cargo area.
Do not get cx5 or switch, Cx5 is older platform. Go for cx70 or 90 or wait until Mazda renew cx5. The transmission tunning and smoothness is at another level in Cx30. I traded my cx5 GT with just 2k km on it with BMW but kept the cx30.
The Driver seat area feels roomy to me in the CX30
It's real wood.
Thanks for the correction!!
If you can't afford Japanese cx5 you should buy mexico cx30
Hahaha, well there you go!
Both would benefit from a hybrid option.
Cx5 is better
Why is it so dusty, clean up the the engine broo
The engine wasn’t actually that dusty, it was the way the yellowish early morning light was hitting it. But the paint was quite dirty. Individual reviews I always try to take the car through the wash first, but sometimes when filming multiple cars it’s more difficult to put all the pieces together. Also depending on how much time I have to film that day or how long the vehicles are available for. Ultimately, I’m sorry about that they should have been more presentable. But also, this is often what our vehicles look like once not brand new, so it does give some insight to the dirty colors. 🤷♂️🤪