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Mazda has built a reputation for offering affordable vehicles that have premium designs and features — providing a great deal of value. A good example of this is the 2023 Mazda CX-30, the cheapest new Mazda SUV. Also, according to multiple automotive critics, it’s the best subcompact SUV you can get.

2023 Mazda CX-30 is the cheapest new Mazda SUV

Front angle view of red 2023 Mazda CX-30, cheapest new Mazda SUV and best subcompact
2023 Mazda CX-30 | Mazda

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 has a starting price of $22,950 MSRP, which makes it the cheapest new Mazda SUV. It costs $3,750 less than the next most affordable one, the compact 2023 CX-5 ($26,700 MSRP).

Here are the new Mazda SUVs — in order of cheapest to most expensive:

  1. 2023 Mazda CX-30: $22,950 MSRP
  2. 2023 Mazda CX-5: $26,700 MSRP
  3. 2023 Mazda CX-50: $27,550 MSRP
  4. 2023 Mazda MX-30 EV: $34,110 MSRP
  5. 2023 Mazda CX-9: $38,750 MSRP
  6. 2024 Mazda CX-90: $39,595 MSRP

While there are other Mazda SUVs in international markets, such as the CX-60 and CX-80, these six models are the ones available in the United States. And the cheapest one of all is the CX-30.

Automotive critics rate the CX-30 as the best subcompact SUV

Seats in 2023 Mazda CX-30, most affordable new Mazda SUV and best subcompact
2023 Mazda CX-30 | Mazda

The subcompact SUV segment has increased in popularity in recent years — as more consumers favor them instead of small sedans and hatchbacks. And the best choice, according to multiple automotive critics, is the 2023 Mazda CX-30. 

Car and Driver ranks it as the top pick for the subcompact SUV segment, with the 2023 Hyundai Kona and 2023 Kia Soul placing second and third, respectively. In its analysis, Car and Driver likes how the CX-30 is fun-to-drive, as well as its upscale cabin. The automotive site also highlights the subcompact SUV’s many standard technologies, including a plethora of driving assistance features.

Another site that rates CX-30 number one is U.S. News & World Report. For the U.S. News list of best subcompact SUVs, the affordable Mazda model is the top pick, the Hyundai Kona is second, and the Kia Soul is third. The media site writes highly of the CX-30’s agile handling, optional turbocharged engine, and luxurious cabin.

What’s new for the 2023 CX-30?

For the new model year, Mazda upgraded the base-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the 2023 CX-30. It produces 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque — which is a 5-hp increase over the outgoing model. The other engine offered for the affordable subcompact SUV is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It doles out 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.

Also, the 2023 CX-30 has new safety features, including rear seat belt pre-tensioners, a shin pad for front and rear door trims, and rear-side airbags. Safety is also improved with upgrades to the B- and C-pillars. Overall, the CX-30 is a very safe SUV, as evidenced by it recently earning the highly coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick award. 

For those that are drawn to the Mazda brand and are on a tight budget, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 is an excellent choice. It’s the cheapest new Mazda SUV — and rated by Car and Driver and U.S. News as the best for the subcompact segment.

Related

2023 Mazda CX-30: Price, Specs, Features, & Overview

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Mark Putzer

With seven years of experience writing in the automotive industry prior to joining MotorBiscuit in 2021, Mark’s work can be found on dealership websites across North America. A Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent Mark into the wilderness for environmental studies. Here, he discovered a passion for driving off-road trucks and SUVs off the beaten path.

During his extensive international travels, Mark developed an affinity for foreign cars and international automotive markets. Inspired by the industry-wide push toward environmentally-friendly EVs and hybrids, Mark covers topics about recent advances in the automotive industry, in addition to everything from off-road concepts to emerging EV technology.