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Review – Mazda CX-30 2.5 mild-hybrid (2025), stubborn is also wise

August 19, 2025

e-Skyactiv G 140 M Hybrid for Mazda CX-30

The new e-Skyactiv G 140 M Hybrid – as the new engine is officially called – is available in the Mazda CX-30 with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. An alternative to this 103 kW (140 hp) petrol engine is the E-Skyactiv X 186 M Hybrid. The latter does still involve a 2.0-liter gasoline engine. The new gasoline engine with 140 hp has 0.5 more swept volume. Below are the specs of the Mazda CX-30 Mild-Hybrid with 2.5-liter gasoline engine.

The specifications of the new gasoline engine

Mazda CX-30 2.5 mild-hybrid (2025), cocky is also wise – AutoRAI TV

Mild-Hybrid Technology

The e-Skyactiv G 140 M Hybrid gasoline engine is available not only in the CX-30 but also in the Mazda 3. The powertrain features mild hybrid technology, hence the M Hybrid designation. The four-cylinder features a high compression ratio and cylinder deactivation. The updated engine maintains similar emissions and fuel economy performance as its predecessor, while significantly increasing usable torque at low to medium speeds. This, in turn, enhances the driving experience.

Cylinder deactivation: you can feel it

A point of interest of this engine is the following: some vibration occurs in the driveline because the system applies cylinder deactivation at too low engine speeds. You notice this especially at a speed of 80 km/h, with the car driving in sixth gear. The engine then revs about 1,500 rpm. As soon as the engine applies cylinder deactivation, a vibration occurs in the driveline. The engine then downshifts from four to two cylinders. You can feel that. Quite well, in fact. Switch back to fifth gear, i.e. at a higher rpm where there is more torque available, and the vibration is gone. Take a test drive to see if you find this acceptable, because we have noticed that not everyone finds it a problem. A few more points of attention: the car has rather thick A-pillars and also short seats in the front.

Mazda CX-30 2025

Brake tow weight Mazda CX-30

How much can this new engine tow braked? The answer: 1,300 kilograms regardless of manual or automatic transmission. Just know that you will have to invest in the removable tow bar first. It will cost you 1,310 euros. You can also opt for the optional Transport Package. This package includes a detachable towbar and Thule bike carrier in one package. With a total amount of 1,745 euros, that still provides 220 euros in benefits.  

What does this Mazda CX-30 weigh?

By the way, the CX-30 with 2.5 gasoline engine weighs 1,355 kilograms empty for the manual transmission version and 1,384 kilograms for the automatic version. That means you do go up a notch in terms of road tax with the 140-horsepower gasoline engine. The two-point zero weighed between 1,295 and 1,326 kilograms when roadworthy.

The engine in the Mazda CX-30

Average fuel consumption

How is the fuel economy in practice? On paper, Mazda gives fuel consumption of 1 on 16.7 for the manual transmission version, but we drive the automatic version. On paper, that means consumption of 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers, converting to 1 on 15.4. We drove several long stretches to give the best possible picture of fuel consumption. During these stretches we did not drive faster than 106 km/h. The average outside temperature was 23 degrees. The air conditioning was set to 21.5 degrees Celsius at all times. We realized a consumption of 5.7 to 5.9 liters per 100 kilometers during our test drives. That is significantly more economical than the factory specification. Mazda appears to be quite modest in this regard.

Extra torque at lower rpm

While driving the Mazda CX-30 mild hybrid, one notices that the engine runs very quietly, revving at only 2,000 rpm at a speed of about 100 mph. That drives very pleasantly. The torquey character of this new gasoline engine also stands out. This is mainly because the previous 2.0-liter engine had a torque of 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm for both the 90 kW (122 hp) and 110 kW (150 hp) versions. With the new two-point-five, 238 Nm of torque is already available at 3,300 rpm. So extra torque at lower revs and you notice it. Previously, the peak power of the 2.0 was only available at 6,000 rpm. With this new powertrain, it is already less at 1,000 rpm.

Driving the Mazda CX-30

Manual or automatic transmission?

You can get this powertrain with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. We drive the automatic and it’s a great match with this 2.5 gasoline engine. It drives nice and comfortable. Anyway, the CX-30 is a very comfortable car. That’s due to a pleasantly damped suspension and a very nice quiet steering. On the other hand, this car is not averse to potty steering. It gives a lot of confidence. We are driving here in a so-called Nagisa version in the color Zircon Sand. This is the top version. Nagisa freely translated means “calm beach” or “coast. In other words: peace and quiet on board. Of course, Mazda deliberately provides a top version, because this way Mazda can show what the CX-30 has to offer in its most complete form.

Interior Mazda CX-30: beautifully finished

This version has a very luxurious interior with terracotta faux leather seat upholstery combined with a black faux suede seat. The lot is finished with terracotta stitching. The dashboard and door panels are also finished with black artificial suede and terracotta-colored stitching. The car also has a power-adjustable driver’s seat (eight-way + memory function) and adjustable lumbar support. The seats are comfortable, but the seats are on the short side. Do more Japanese cars suffer from this. Otherwise, you are provided with all the comforts, including the necessary driving assistance systems.

Interior Mazda CX-30 2025 Nagisa

Speed Alert

You can silence the speed alert with a small button on the left side of the dashboard. Things like the lane assistant you have to turn off by diving into the infotainment system. Do so especially, because the lane assistant is far too enthusiastic in its actions. Personally, it made me a little restless. Once the system is turned off, you experience the CX-30 as it was meant to be: as a fine-driving C-segment crossover. Even one of the better ones in its segment.

Luggage space

The CX-30’s luggage compartment has a capacity of 430 liters. Those who fold down the backrest of the second row of seats have a capacity of 1,406 liters. Handy is the folding cargo floor where you can also put items permanently in the boot. The CX-30 is not the roomiest car in the back. The writer of this story can sit behind himself with his height of 1.85 meters. There is some knee room left and your feet do sit clear. Headroom is okay. Keep in mind the rear bench seat is quite short. On the back seat, you do still have a comfortable armrest with two cup holders. Charging points are lacking in the rear, even in this top-of-the-line version.

The luggage compartment

Prices Mazda CX-30 Mild-Hybrid

Prices then, what about those? Mazda charges a minimum of 36,740 euros for the CX-30 with 140-hp gasoline engine combined with manual transmission. For the automatic, you’ll spend a minimum of 38,740 euros. Prices of Mazda CX-30 with this power source go up to 43,040 euros for the Nagisa version with automatic.

Nagisa

We drive a Mazda CX-30 e-Skyactiv G 140hp as a Nagisa version. That is – you guessed it – the top-of-the-line version. It even has the automatic transmission. This car comes in the color Zircon Sand, a color that is hugely on the rise at Mazda. Previously, Soul Red was very popular – still is, by the way – but Zircon Sand is winning more and more souls.

The Mazda CX-30 Nagisa has:

Conclusion review Mazda CX-30 mild hybrid

The new gasoline engine is a fine addition to Mazda’s lineup. By the way, you can also get it in the Mazda 3 hatchback and Mazda 3 sedan. This CX-30 is the only one of those three models that has a higher seating position and, of course, that SUV look that gives a lot of people knee-jerk reactions these days. Thanks to the extra torque at the bottom, this powertrain feels more upbeat than the previous 2.0-liter variant. Point of attention is the cylinder deactivation. So take a test drive and then decide.





























The engine in the Mazda CX-30














Luggage space Mazda CX-30 2025





Interior Mazda CX-30 2025 Nagisa















































Driving the Mazda CX-30


























Mazda CX-30 2025