How Does Mazda’s CX Model Vehicles Compare? CX-5 vs. CX-9 vs. CX-30

If you’re interested in a new Mazda, the lineup of CX vehicles offers an impressive range of options. These SUVs are all equipped to provide you with a comfortable, safe ride, but there are some distinct differences that you may want to note as you explore your options. Here, you’ll find a full breakdown that explores both the similarities and differences in the CX-3, CX-30, CX-5 and CX-9. View our new inventory today, or If you have any questions give us a call at (817) 663-7404. 

Trim Levels

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Your options vary depending on the Mazda that you’re interested in, with some providing more customization than others. The Mazda CX-3 only comes in the Sport trim level, limiting some of your options.

The Mazda CX-30 is available in four trims:

• Base
• Preferred Package
• Premium Package
• Select Package

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has five optional trims:

• Grand Touring
• Grand Touring Reserve
• Signature
• Sport
• Touring

You can choose from four trim packages with the 2020 Mazda CX-9:

• Grand Touring
• Signature
• Sport
• Touring

Comparisons in this article assume the Mazda CX-3 Sport trim, Mazda CX-30 base trim, and Grand Touring trim for the CX-5 and CX-9.

Under the Hood

The engines for these Mazda CX models are all comparable. However, the CX-3 is the smallest in the bunch, and the CX-9 offers a notable increase in power.

Mazda CX-3

The CX-3 comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed transmission that offers 148 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. This Mazda gets 27 mpg city/32 mpg hwy/29 mpg combined with AWD and 29 mpg city/34 mpg hwy/31 mpg combined with FWD.

Mazda CX-30

This vehicle comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. You’ll enjoy 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. With FWD, the CX-30 gets 25 mpg city/33 mpg hwy/29 mpg combined. AWD delivers 24 mpg city/31 mpg hwy/26 mpg combined.

Mazda CX-5

This vehicle comes standard with a six-speed transmission and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that offers 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. With FWD, it gets 25 mpg city/31 mpg hwy/28 mpg combined. AWD offers 24 mpg city/34 mpg hwy/26 mpg combined.

Mazda CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with AWD or 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined with FWD. You’ll enjoy 227 horsepower in this powerful vehicle and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Size

These vehicles vary greatly in size, so you can go for a smaller SUV or a spacious one. All but the CX-9 seat five. The CX-9 can hold seven.

Mazda CX-3

The smallest in the lineup, the CX-3 has an exterior length of 168.3 inches and a width of 69.6 inches. There’s 41.7 inches of legroom in the front and 35 inches in the second row. The interior cargo volume is 17.8 inches.

Mazda CX-30

Slightly larger, the CX-30 is 173 inches long and 70.7 inches wide. The front row has the same 41.7 inches of legroom as the CX-3, but the second row is slightly larger with 36.3 inches. You’ll enjoy 20.2 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Mazda CX-5

More spacious for larger families, the CX-5 measures 179.1 inches in length and is 72.5 inches wide. The front row is slightly smaller than the CX-3 and CX-30 with just 41 inches of legroom. Those in the back have more space with 39.6 inches of legroom. You’ll enjoy a spacious interior cargo volume of 30.9 cubic feet.

Mazda CX-9

The largest option among these vehicles, the CX-9 has an exterior body length of 199.4 inches and a width of 77.5 inches. In the front, you’ll find 41 inches of legroom. Passengers have 39.4 inches of legroom in the second row and 29.7 inches in the third. This vehicle can seat up to seven, making it great for large families. Though there’s just 14.4 cubic feet of cargo volume with the seats up, you can expand this to 71.2 cubic feet by folding both rows down.

Safety

The Mazda CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9 received the Top Safety Pick+ award, giving them the highest honors for safety. The headlights were the primary feature that left something to be desired among these vehicles.

The Mazda CX-30 got the Top Safety Pick award, but did not receive the highest honor. The headlights pulled its rating down, as they were rated poor.

All of the vehicles in this lineup offer brake assist, an ABS and driveline traction control system, and stability control. The CS-9 has anti-roll dynamic control as well. Blind-spot monitoring is available in all but the CX-30.

Interior Features

You can expect a comfortable ride in any of the vehicles in this selection. However, there are a few distinctive elements that might make certain options more comfortable than others.

The CX-3 offers six points of direction control for the driver seat and four for the passenger. This increases to eight points of control for the driver seat in all other models. Passengers get six direction controls for the seats in the CX-5 and CX-9. A power two-way lumbar support is available for the driver in the CX-5 and CX-9 as well.

The CX-3 has automatic air conditioning, the CX-30 has manual air conditioning, and both the CX-5 and CX-9 offer automatic dual-zone front air conditioning. The CX-5 and CX-9 provide heated front seats for the driver and passenger as well. Only the CX-9 has a heated steering wheel.

Infotainment

All four CX models have infotainment systems. The CX-3 and CX-5 have 7-inch screens, while the CX-30 offers an 8.8-inch screen and the screen in the CX-9 is a generous 9 inches. All offer a touch screen and auxiliary audio input except for the CX-30.

The CX-3 has six regular speakers, while the CX-30 increases this to eight. In the Mazda CX-5, you’ll enjoy 10 Bose speakers. The Mazda CX-9 has 12 Bose speakers.

An integrated navigation system with voice activation is only available in the CX-9. The CX-5 and CX-9 both have a real-time traffic display and real-time weather display.

If you’re interested in test driving one of these vehicles, just stop by Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth. We’ll help you compare your options and find the best vehicle for your needs.