Cars

Mazda CX-30 splits the difference at the Geneva Motor Show

Mazda's new CX-30 crossover slots between the CX-3 and CX-5.

Steven Ewing

Steven Ewing spent his childhood reading car magazines, making his career as an automotive journalist an absolute dream job. After getting his foot in the door at Automobile while he was still a teenager, Ewing found homes on the mastheads at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog and Motor1.com before joining the CNET team in 2018. He has also served on the World Car Awards jury. Ewing grew up ingrained in the car culture of Detroit -- the Motor City -- before eventually moving to Los Angeles. In his free time, Ewing loves to cook, binge trash TV and play the drums.

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Steven Ewing

March 5, 2019 5:00 a.m. PT

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Mazda's newest crossover, the CX-30, debuted at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

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In terms of size, it fits right in between the existing CX-3 subcompact and CX-5 compact models.

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Compared to the CX-3, the CX-30 has a lower ground clearance, a longer length and shorter overhangs, all of which contribute to making it a little more eye-catching than Mazda's smaller crossover.

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Black plastic fender cladding hints at SUV toughness, while a sloping rear window adds a dose of sportiness.

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The European CX-30 will offer a 2.0-liter inline-four gas engine and a 1.8-liter diesel, as well as Mazda's new SkyActiv-X compression-ignition engine.

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Cargo space is pegged at 15.2 cubic feet by European measurement standards, which Mazda says is roomy enough to fit a large baby stroller and a large bag.

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Buyers can pick 16- or 18-inch wheels.

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The CX-30's interior design is pretty and mostly reminiscent of other new Mazda crossovers, with an 8.8-inch dash-mounted infotainment screen operated by a rotary controller.