We're on our third CX-30

[dseag2]

Our first was a '20 CX-30 Preferred in Soul Red Crystal. We loved it. We were going to buy it, but the dealership gave us a great deal on a '23 Turbo Premium Plus in Polymetal Grey. What's not to like? It was super quick and had all the bells and whistles. Honestly, we didn't need all that this time around. These days it's mostly city driving and the standard 2.5 Turbo is fine for that.

Our lease was up next month and there were very few CX-30s on the lot due to tariffs on cars made in Mexico. Mazda has chosen to produce fewer. We settled on a '26 CX-30 Carbon Edition in Polymetal Grey/Red. The dealership gave us a great deal. It is lacking on the turbo, power liftgate, overhead camera and HUD but it has some new features like a larger screen, wireless charger and lack of piano black around the console. It will take a while to get used to manually putting the liftgate up/down but aside from that we're loving it.

This is truly the most upscale, well-finished and fun-to-drive car in the category. No need to look elsewhere!

 

[CTt3P5]

You really do love the CX-30! Out of the three trims, which was your "sweet spot" overall?

My wife has a '25 Turbo Premium Plus in Aero Grey and when leasing she could have cared less about the turbo, HUD and Bose. The main reasons she wanted that trim was the black wheels, black grille trim, black roof rails and power liftgate. Within the first week of driving she hated the HUD (turned it off in her memory setting ---- I love it and kept it on in my memory setting) but told me she liked the sound of the Bose compared to her previous non-Bose vehicles. She loves the turbo and said that it may have to be on her checklist for the replacement.

I would love a Carbon Edition with the red interior but she does not like the red. And it frustrates me that Mazda does not offer the Carbon with a power liftgate. IMO, that should be the first trim that it is offered on.