Mazda CX-30

Between the CX-3 and CX-5 Mazda’s latest Skyactiv chassis will come to the U.S. soon.

- Todd Lassa And Carol Ngo

Mazda unveiled its CX-30 compact crossover, which will slide into the space between the CX-3 and CX-5 when it goes on sale in Europe this summer. It will feature the Skyactiv-X spark-controlled compression-ignition engine. The CX-30—it will use that name in our market while the CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9 remain the same—will be imported to the U.S. by the 2020 or the 2021 model year, which means it likely won’t come Stateside until early next year.

“The aim of introducing this new model was to expand our portfolio in the crossover segment,” Mazda CX-30 program manager Naohito Saga said. The new crossover’s Skyactiv-X engine will make about 180 hp, which indicates it’s essentially the same 2.0-liter inline-four as in the global Mazda3. Mazda Motor Europe president and CEO Jeff Guyton touted the CX-30’s “roominess, ample cargo space, and proportions” and said it will feature the sort of steering, ride, and handling dynamics Mazda is known for.