Who Does The New 2020 Mazda CX-30 Compete With?

The Mazda CX-30 isn’t arriving on the market anytime soon in North America, but we can still look at its eventual competition.

There aren’t a lot of models that will compete directly with the 2020 Mazda CX-30 despite its size. It’s smaller than a Mazda CX-5, but bigger than a CX-3 and therefore slots somewhere in between the segments those two models compete in. What other models are found in that grey area?

Subaru Crosstrek

If you think about it, the Mazda CX-30 is to the Mazda3 Sport what the Subaru Crosstrek is to the Impreza. It’s a slightly taller version of a five-door hatchback with body cladding that gives it a more rugged look. We don’t have official specs on the CX-30’s cargo capacity, but a quick glance into the trunk revealed more cargo capacity than a Mazda CX-3.

It actually looks like the back of a Mazda3 Sport, just like the Crosstrek’s trunk is a perfect replica of the Subaru Impreza 5-door’s cargo area. And so, in our opinion, Subaru’s entry-level SUV is the most direct Mazda CX-30 competitor.

Mitsubishi RVR

The Mitsubishi RVR was one of the first subcompact SUVs on the market before they became popular. Today, it’s the smallest SUV in the Mitsubishi lineup, but it is considerably more spacious than a Mazda CX-3. That would put in line with the Mazda CX-30. Mitsubishi made some changes to the RVR for 2020 including a new front design.

Jeep Renegade

Jeep has two entry-level sport utility vehicles, the Renegade and the Jeep Compass. The latter is a bit bigger than the CX-30, but the Renegade is just about the same size. Although these two small SUVs look considerably different, they will likely share similar size specs and starting price.

Will the Mazda CX-30 Kill the Mazda CX-3?

The big question in regards to the Mazda CX-30 is not who it will compete with, but rather if it will end up hurting its own brother, the Mazda CX-3. With the new CX-30 and the Mazda3 Sport now offered with all-wheel drive, is there a market left for the smallish, not-very-practical CX-3?

If you want space, there is no way you buy a Mazda CX-3. Some may have purchased it because of its higher driving position, but the CX-30 will offer that with better versatility. And those who bought a CX-3 because of the availability of all-wheel drive will now likely turn to a Mazda3 Sport with i-ACTIV and enjoy the same all-weather stability with more practicality.

In other words, when the new Mazda CX-30 arrives in late 2019/early 2020, there may not be a lot of room left for the Mazda CX-3.