2025 Mazda CX-30 vs. 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Comparison

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 and 2025 Ford Bronco Sport represent two very different approaches to wooing buyers in the highly competitive subcompact SUV segment.

With the Mazda CX-30, the two standout qualities are driving excitement and an upscale cabin. When you’re behind the wheel, it’s immediately apparent it’s from the same automaker that builds the fun-loving Miata roadster. Meanwhile, the quality of the interior and trim is on par with what you’d encounter in pricier luxury-branded SUVs.

The Ford Bronco Sport eschews some on-road refinement for greater capabilities on unpaved surfaces. Its more traditional, boxy shape is a not-so-subtle hint that Ford wants to give the Bronco Sport some of the truck-based Bronco sibling’s off-road attitude. As in the Mazda CX-30, all-wheel drive is standard on every Ford Bronco Sport, and there are tempting available extras that will make it more adept at traversing all sorts of terrain.

So, the Mazda thrives on tight and twisty roads. And the Ford likes to play in the mud. While it’s perhaps not quite that simple, let’s take a closer look at the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport.

2025 Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 arrives for 2025 with a few changes. Notably, Alexa Built-In is standard in the S Select Sport, the high-end Turbo Premium trim gets Mazda Online Navigation, and Aero Gray Metallic is a new exterior color.

The CX-30 is offered in eight trims with a starting price of $26,415. The priciest, the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus, comes in at $38,370.

Mazda CX-30 Highlights

Sharp handling, feisty engines: Razor-sharp handling makes the CX-30 a hoot to drive. Based on its steering, you’d think you’re behind the wheel of a sports sedan, not a high-riding SUV. We’re fans of the optional 227-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and slick-shifting 6-speed automatic. Yet the non-turbo 191-hp version of this engine has plenty of pep and delivers better fuel economy.

Near-luxury cabin quality: From the quality of the trim to the location of all major controls, Mazda has gone to great lengths to give the CX-30 a world-class cabin. The CX-30 coddles its occupants at higher trim levels with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a Bose audio system.  

Standard safety features: A large number of advanced driver aids are standard on every CX-30 trim. Notable among them are blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CX-30 models for sale near you.

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

The Bronco Sport also arrives with noteworthy additions for 2025. Ford adds adds the more off-road capable Sasquatch package with an increased ride height, a dual-clutch torque vectoring rear-drive unit, specialized rear shocks, all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and more. Every Bronco Sport trim gets a larger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. Also, a new accessory tray on the dashboard houses two built-in USB-C ports.

As before, the standard powertrain is an 181-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 250-hp turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is optional. Five trims are offered, the least expensive one starting at $31,390.

Ford Bronco Sport Highlights

Wayback design: If retro is what you’re after, the Bronco Sport Free Wheeling and Heritage trims pack tons of appeal. The Free Wheeling features red, orange, and yellow exterior stripes, a pattern echoed on its front seats. The alloy wheels also have red accents. With the Bronco Sport Heritage, you get white exterior accents, including white wheels, a white roof, and a white grille. Available five classic exterior colors include Cactus Grey and Robin’s Egg Blue.  

Adventure gear: The Bronco Sport can be outfitted with a vast array of options for adventuring. This includes everything from a beefy roof rack (that can handle up to 600 pounds) to a front-facing camera that helps you navigate tricky off-road terrain. And be sure to bring your pooches, too! The Dog Outfitter option includes seat covers, a collapsible kennel, and a cargo mat.

Turbocharged 4-cylinder: Standard in the off-road-oriented Badlands trim is the 250-hp turbo 4-cylinder. The Badlands has two additional driving modes for its upgraded all-wheel drive system. Ford playfully refers to these as “GOAT” modes – this stands for “Goes Over Any Terrain.” 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Bronco Sport models for sale near you.

Similarities

The Mazda CX-30 and Bronco Sport are remarkably similar in length, but the Ford is a good deal wider and taller. Both have standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and standout styling. Both also have plenty of standard safety features and infotainment systems that don’t require an MIT degree to operate easily. Last, their basic and powertrain warranties are identical.

Conclusion

We highly recommend either the Mazda CX-30 or Ford Bronco Sport, though for different reasons. The CX-30 has a superb-quality interior and a much more affordable starting price. And even though its back seat is tight for adults, this Mazda is truly enjoyable to drive, with the turbocharged engine making it even more satisfying. A tad smaller in size, the CX-30 is more maneuverable in tight quarters.

As for the Ford, we enjoy how it feels purposely engineered to be a little more trucklike than other crossover SUVs. It also has a lot more cargo room than the Mazda. Even though its ride is a little on the firm side, we see this as a reminder that the Bronco Sport can venture into places other small SUVs can’t. Or shouldn’t. Topping it all off are the Free Wheeling and Heritage models, which exude nostalgic appeal.

If your idea of a relaxing weekend is a spirited drive on a twisty road, go with the CX-30. If you’re more about enjoying nature, the better pick is the Bronco Sport.   

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for vehicles and New 2025 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.