2023 Mazda CX-5 vs CX-30 vs CX-50 Comparison / Family Time

The Mazda CX-5, CX-50 and CX-30 have similar strong points and some shared low points too. With overlapping prices, it's about time they all face off. So today I will mostly forget cars like the Subaru Forester, Outback and Crosstrek, Toyota RAV4 Corolla Cross, Honda CR-V and HR-V, etc to help those who have already chosen a brand.

Thank you, Royal South Mazda and Mazda North America for helping me get the cars for today's review!

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CX-30 AWD Off road traction demo

00:00 Introductions
1:10 Exterior Features
2:05 CX-30 interior
5:12 CX-5 interior
7:13 CX-50 interior
9:00 CX-30 Drive
10:55 AWD talk
13:05 CX-5 Drive
17:13 CX-50 Drive
20:21 Safety / Reliability
21:07 Final Thoughts

[ccchhhrrriiisss]

I bought my CX-30 in a couple of months ago. Since then, I've taken it up mountains and through dirt, mud, snow and rain. The AWD works flawlessly. Obviously, I didn't climb boulders with it. However, I also never lost traction. Plus, the driving experience for the Mazda CX-30 is really fun during all of the driving on pavement too -- which is most of my driving. The CX-30 is the most fun vehicle that I've driven in a long, long time -- and it has a truly premium feel to it. One other thing: The turning ratio is amazing. I can easily perform a u-turn or zoom into parking spaces on the other side of the road without a problem. With the luxury feel, horsepower and torque combined in AWD, this car feels like an amazing value (and I am coming from a Ford Explorer and Ford Escape). I'm glad that I didn't get a Subaru, Honda or Toyota. Mazda has won me over!

[chriskelly]

The CX5 being made in Japan is what sold me.

[mattcoomes]

Excellent review/comparison! Longtime Mazda owner here, recently added a CX-5 to our driveway. We were cross shopping these same 3 models and any would have been a great choice. For us the 5 offered the best blend of driving fun and passenger space.

[ALEZANDAR]

Originally the cx-5 was my car of choice, as on paper it met all of my requirements and needs! however after doing a test drive on both models, I honestly didn't feel much of a difference in the handling and driving comfort between the cx-5 and the cx-30. Yes, the cx-5 is definitely better choice as a family car, as it is a bit roomier; and that is the only advantage I could see over the cx-30. The cx-30 is perfect as a two passenger car. I am a single suburban professional, and the only person that shares a drive with me on occasion is my elderly mother; and she absolutely loves the cx-30!

The only downfall of the cx-30 is the cargo space, but that can be easily resolved by simply lowering the back passenger seats flat. My previous car was a 2008 Honda CR V with a very spacious cargo space of 35 cu ft with the passenger seats up; the Mazda cx-30 has 45 cu ft with the back seats folded down! I don't really have any need for a back seat passenger space; so the lack of space of the cx-30 is a not a deal breaker for me!

I am a tall guy, and the driver seat of the cx-30 feels spacious and comfortable enough for me. Yes, in the beginning I felt a bit claustrophobic, but after a month of driving it, I can appreciate its comfortable seats and driving position; as a matter of fact it had helped my body posture tremendously! I am really enjoying the cx-30 driving dynamics and the very comfortable and quiet ride. Oh, did I mentioned that the cx-30 is better on gas then the other two; and that it is also a breeze to park in tight spaces!!

One thing I highly recommend is to change the original dealer tires. After changing mine to better quality tires, the Cx-30 drives even better overall. After weeks of research and then test driving both the cx-5 and cx-30; I decided to go with the cx-30. I have no regrets; as I feel that the cx-30 is a much much better value over the cx-5 and the cx-50. I bought the cx-30 2.5 S AWD; which is the base model. No heated seats. Cloth upholstery. No remote control back liftgate. No Sunroof. No Turbo engine. No Bose Stereo audio system. Conclusion: a savings of well over $10, 000 on trimmings I can live without!!! I am extremely happy with my little engine that could!!

[TheFaintofHearts]

I was looking at these 3 just a few months ago. Ended up going eith the CX-5. Best visibility and best value for the money when you look at trim levels, features and cost. Funnily enough, I bought mine from Royal South Mazda.

[Stinger]

I suspect the CX-50 was supposed to replace the CX-5, but the latter is still posting healthy sales. So Mazda wisely decided to keep the CX-5 around. That's just a guess based on Mazda's new naming scheme. Great video! Very thorough.

[Unsalted]

Went with the 30. CX5 looks too boxy like a every other SUV, didn't need the extra space and weight, CX50 goes for a more off roady subaruish vibe which is cool but not my taste, CX30 was a perfect blend of car and SUV, looks sportier, and is lighter. Only downside was the black cladding I'll agree but I got it in a dark color so it's not too bad.

[kurtstephan]

Great comparison. I already chose the CX-5 and love it, but I still enjoy videos like these. I chose CX-5 because of IRS, space, visibility, and way less plastic cladding. But I can see the appeal of the other two.

[JohnsstGarage]

Got a CX-50 Meridian Edition this year. I love everything about the car except for the stitching running down the center of the seat, shifting my butt around on long drives has begun undoing and fraying the stitching - and I’m less than 5k miles in. The pano roof also means I get a lot of wind noise at highway speed with the roof platform or my kayak rack, but this is a typical roof accessory complaint I can forgive and can tune out with music.

With that being said, the physical character, AWD, gobs of torque, smooth transmission, and premium interior feel (ignoring the stitching) make this car a pleasure to drive and own - love the Mazda brand, window shopping Miata’s now.

[bryanrobles]

Excellent review overarching these three CX models. I’ve seen other reviewers fumble through them in a so-called match up but the execution of this review was equally thoughtful and measured for each of them.

[obhatti]

Coming from a CX-3, I'd be happy with any of these 3! If they added ventilated seats to a CX-30 (even on only the top or Turbo trims), I'd have one in my driveway for sure! Otherwise, I'd want to go for the CX-50 if only because it has the panoramic sunroof - they need to add that feature to their volume seller CX-5 YESTERDAY! Can't imagine they will really let the CX-50 fully replace the CX-5 since they've sold so many -5s and apparently very few -50s so far. Great review!

[paulmccoy]

What a great conclusion and way to break up subjective opinions. Giving a personal choice vs the broader choice is awesome. Also, I love seeing a bigger brand comparison than just brand to brand car comparison. Keep it up man!!

[RichardDCook]

This is exactly the comprehensive easy-to-understand no-nonsense overview of these three models I was looking for. Well done!! I went with the CX-5 for the reasons you describe. I felt that in the under-$30, 000 price point I was looking for I got a proven exceptionally well-designed well-made car. The CX-30 struck me as looking more sporty but sacrificing a lot of practicality. I love the higher seating position, greater visibility, roomier cabin, and bigger cargo area of the CX-5. (I'm also 6'3".) I've been driving Mazdas since the 1980s and I love the tighter suspension, steering, and handling that comes with all Mazdas. (My son's Toyota feels spongey, floaty, and vague in comparison.) My CX-5 is a great "road car" with smooth ride and comfortable seats, I've gone on several long trips including twisty mountain driving where it handled very well.

[arar]

I picked the CX30 turbo prem over the other two. Is small, practical, the back seat area is sorta tight but its just me and someone else most of the time anyways. The turbo is quick compare to the rest of the segment and the look of it looks sporty. Is a beautiful machine.

[sshamon]

The cx50 is designed and packaged for outdoors. The CX-5 is the perfect in-between these models

[sirronkcuhc]

Some interesting minor differences in the 2.5l turbo engines:
* CX-30: air-to-liquid intercooler is integrated into the intake manifold to save space
* CX-5 and CX-50: air-to-air intercooler
* CX-50: twin-scroll Turbo @ 256HP
* CX-5: Dynamic Pressure Turbo @ 256HP
* CX-30: Dynamic Pressure Turbo @ 250HP

In the press kit for Dynamic Pressure Turbo they said it demonstrates a 20- to 25-percent quicker response than a twin-scroll turbocharger at engine speeds below 1, 500 rpm; weird they went with twin-scroll on CX-50.

[huehuehueh]

The CX-5 is perhaps the best driving/handling small crossover south of the Porsche Macan. I'm so glad I purchased my 2022 CX-5 Turbo Signature over a CX-30 comparable top-trim CX-30 or CX-50; it is the best car of the three - made in Japan, best handling/performing, and best quality.

[farcinue]

I’m a Mazda owner and love it… I’m waiting for a hybrid cx50, otherwise for the upcoming cx70. An updated powertrain and better mpg is overdue!

The cx30 would sell better with a more boxy shape and better visibility (bigger windows). A sub compact suv would be nice since I live in LA. Mazda went sleek, whereas I think the market would want something more practical in this class.

[justhere]

Just bought my black beauty CX50 Select. The seats are not like he stated as mine are leather with center stitched type cloth. Very comfortable. It doesn’t have that center stitching thing. thank goodness. I traded in my 2018 Mazda 3 Hatchback for it (prior to that it was a Mazda MX5 Miata convertible and they gave me such a great deal that I ended up just paying my new CX50 by credit card and the next day I just paid off the credit card and now I have a paid off CX50. I looked At Cadillac, Lexus, BMW, Honda, Hyundai and none of those appealed to me both in the interior or exterior. My husband has a beautiful black Genesis G80 and he can’t stop talking about my CX50. But he loves his Genesis and it’s nice having a black sedan and crossover combo. Two black beauties to look at ❤Thanks for your entertaining videos.

[allspub]

I dig all three models. If I was in my 20s (and single) the CX-30 would get my attention big time (although if AWD wasn’t a big deal to me, the Mazda3 with the manual transmission would be on my list too). If I was in my 30s or 40s with a family, the CX-50 would likely be my choice. It’s got enough rugged looks and sporty feel (sits low slung) to make a guy feel like he’s not driving a family SUV, while still having a bunch of room for family and cargo. But since I am now in my 50s with a grown family and no grandkids yet (ie, just the wife and me), the CX-5 was the one we went for. The upscale interior (in terms of feel, materials, and comfort) just won us over. And the ride quality is stellar. And we don’t mind sacrificing a little rear passenger room and cargo space for that interior upgrade and superior ride quality. The CX-5 may be getting a little long-in-the-tooth (like its owner, ha!), but that just means Mazda’s had time to work out most of the kinks (I generally don’t like buying a new car model until it’s had at least 3 years under its belt to work out those kinks). Anyway, our ‘24 CX-5 Carbon Edition just hit all the right chords with us. And that’s why it’s sitting in our garage right now. YMMV depending on your age and your family requirements. All three are excellent choices… Mazda makes quality cars and offers some of best value in this segment *if the latest/greatest tech gizmos/gimmicks aren’t at the top of your requirements list (which to me, in my 50s, they are not… that crap just annoys me… I want a verhicle, not an iPad on wheels, but I digress). If you’re all about the latest and greatest whiz-bang UIs (that just distract you while driving) like panoramic digital dashes and so many driver “assists” that it feels like you’re driving a video game, then look to other brands (Hyundai/Kia I’m looking at you)… but if you enjoy the act of driving, then Mazda is the brand to go for. Loving mine!