Key points:
- For the 2026 model year, the Mazda CX-30 gets a slight price hike over the 2025 model.
- A new Aire Edition is available for both powertrains; it includes blacked-out exterior accents and a light-colored interior.
- A 10.25-inch center display is now available for some 2.5 S variants, and a new brake-based limited-slip differential is standard.
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 will cost $780 more than the 2025 model and start at $27,470 (all prices include $1,495 destination fee). The updates to Mazda’s smallest SUV include what Mazda calls a limited-slip rear differential and a new blacked-out Aire Edition.
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The two powertrain options and standard all-wheel drive remain the same for the five-seater, as does its stock infotainment system. A larger 10.25-inch touchscreen has been available on higher trims.
What’s New?
The introduction of the Aire Edition and its light interior results in a shuffling of the trim lineup. It is a black cosmetic package that slots under the Carbon trim in Mazda’s lineup and builds off the Preferred variant. The Aire Edition rolls on 18-inch black alloy wheels and adds gloss-black badges, black roof rails and black side mirrors. Unlike other trims and their black interiors, the Aire lightens up inside with white synthetic leather and gray cloth inserts.
Also for 2026, the 2.5 Turbo Premium and 2.5 Carbon Turbo have been discontinued.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 goes on sale in October. Full line pricing is as follows, with 2025 prices listed in parenthesis:
- 2.5 S: $27,470 ($26,690)
- 2.5 S Select Sport: $29,155 ($28,795)
- 2.5 S Preferred: $30,785 ($30,635)
- 2.5 S Aire Edition: $31,345 (new for 2026)
- 2.5 S Carbon Edition: $32,525 ($32,085)
- 2.5 S Premium: $34,735 ($33,835)
- 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition: $35,905 (new for 2026)
- 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: $39,395 ($38,645)
Safety Features and Trim Levels
Every 2026 CX-30 comes with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist systems, including forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, a driver attention monitor, automatic high beams and a rear-seat reminder. Automatic LED headlights are also standard.
The entry-level 2.5 S rolls on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Its interior sports black cloth upholstery, and standard convenience features include keyless entry and start, six speakers, a 7-inch screen in the gauge cluster and an 8.8-inch infotainment display with a control knob. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto activate with a cord.
The 2.5 S Select Sport seems worth the upcharge, in part because it now gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Amazon Built-In. It also rides on flashier 18-inch black wheels and has heated black side mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. The interior gets black synthetic leather and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat vents. A power driver’s seat and heated front seats are standard.
The 2.5 S Preferred also rides on 18-inch wheels but with a silver finish. It upgrades to a 10.25-inch center screen that becomes a touchscreen when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and it has a wireless smartphone charger. The Preferred features a power moonroof, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic braking.
The 2.5 S Carbon Edition builds off the Preferred Package and comes exclusively in Polymetal Gray and with red leather upholstery inside. It also gets a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
The 2.5 S Premium sits at the top of the normally aspirated CX-30 lineup. It has welcome lighting, adaptive headlights, a power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, a choice of leather upholstery colors, navigation, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera and traffic-sign recognition.
The Turbo Aire Edition is also one of two trims offered in the turbocharged CX-30 lineup. The Turbo Premium Plus builds off the S Premium and sports the Aire Edition’s exterior accents. It includes Mazda’s Cruising and Traffic Support, a hands-on driver-assist feature that combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering assist.
Powertrain Specs and MPG
The CX-30 uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in its base S variants, but Turbo versions bolt on a turbocharger for more power. Without the turbo, the engine makes 186 horsepower and 186 pounds-feet of torque. With the turbo, it makes 227 hp and 310 pounds-feet, but when premium fuel is used, output increases to 250 hp and 320 pounds-feet.
Every CX-30 uses a six-speed automatic transmission, and AWD is standard. Additional grip is promised from the brake-based “limited-slip rear differential,” which is really brake-based rear torque vectoring; it’s neither a mechanical limited slip nor an electronic limited-slip differential.
Official EPA ratings have not been released for 2026, but the 2025 CX-30 S trims had EPA ratings of 26/33/29 mpg city/highway/combined, and the Turbos were rated at 22/30/25 mpg.
Read More About the Mazda CX-30:
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- What’s the Safest, Most Affordable Car for Teens?
- Research the Mazda CX-30
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