2026 Mazda CX-30

Mazda’s CX-30 is the automaker's smallest SUV, but it still delivers on the promise Mazda makes for all its models: near-luxury design, materials and performance coupled with less-than-luxury pricing. Two engines are available — one with a turbocharger and good for up to 250 horsepower on premium fuel — and both are paired to an all-wheel-drive drivetrain and a six-speed automatic. While we haven't yet seen spy photos of a camouflaged next-gen CX-30, the age of the subcompact crossover and Mazda's typical product lifespan suggest that a redesigned model is on the way, possibly for 2026.

Edmunds spotlight: Six years is a long time

The CX-30 debuted as a 2020 model, making this little Mazda one of the older options in the class. Mazda's product cycles are a little longer than those of most manufacturers, but six years is a long time for any single model to remain relatively unchanged. It’s certainly due — at a minimum — for a refresh. We think it's more likely that an all-new CX-30 will arrive this year or next. There are some clues that change is coming. Mazda made no real changes to the CX-30 for 2025, which often happens the year before an update. What’s more, with eight trim levels to choose from, the CX-30 lineup is quite crowded, and some versions offer little differentiation from their surrounding trims. We expect that will change with a new or refreshed CX-30, whenever it arrives.

Competitors to consider

Like every class of SUVs, the subcompact segment offers a wide range of options. The CX-30 is one of our favorites in this category. We also really like the Chevy Trailblazer, both for its generous-for-the-class cargo space and its intuitive infotainment system. Chevy’s Trax is also a solid offering, as is the related Buick Encore GX, which offers a strikingly good ride/handling balance as well as a long list of valuable standard features. Desirable alternatives outside the GM ecosystem include the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul.

The Mazda CX-30 is overdue for a major upgrade, and we'll have to wait and see if it will be enhanced for 2026 or 2027. Stay tuned to this space, which we'll update with the latest news surrounding Mazda's bite-sized SUV.