Mazda CX30 Off-road Build With Lifted Suspension
A Mazda CX30 isn’t really the first choice which comes to mind when you think of an adventure vehicle. Yet this compact crossover may be having features to get you introduced to some basic off-roading. What makes this CUV particularly interesting though is of course the available All-wheel-drive option and the versatility of a city hatchback.
Being compact, efficient, and nimble, it will handle the role of a daily driver and at the same time allow you to get behind the wheel on weekends to explore local trails and camping spots. Its small size may be a real advantage in some situations like crossing tight and twisty lines and squeeze between trees that would otherwise stop larger SUVs or trucks.
Joe Trevino, the owner of this lifted 2021 CX30, has seen this potential, yet decided to go further. He’s taken his Mazda to the next level, outfitting it with modifications that push the boundaries of what this compact crossover can handle off the paved roads. Read on to discover how Joe transformed his urban crossover into a trail-ready adventure machine!
Interview with the owner
Why did you choose a CX30 for your off-road project?
– I’ve been a Mazda fan since my ‘07 Mazda 3, and had tuner friends in high school that worked on Mazda RX-7s that helped me work on my Eagle Talon and Honda Civic back then. During the pandemic, I had an old coworker put in more effort into his overlanding YouTube channel, so I decided to support him by joining his Patreon.
That got me interested in overlanding and thought the CX-30 was the best compromise between my loyalty to Mazda and my desire to get out there. Others would have suggested to consider the Subaru, but the Mazda had a 6-speed traditional transmission vs a CVT, plus Mazda just came out with a 2.5T version.
The Build
Of course, the stock CX30 does have its limitations. Low ground clearance, pretty limited suspension articulation, and easy to damage front bumper mean that you’ll need to carefully choose your lines and avoid big obstacles that could either immobilize you or damage the car.
But as many overlanding enthusiasts will tell you, the journey and exploration are often more important than conquering every obstacle in your path—something entirely possible in this compact crossover.
Suspension and Wheels
One of the biggest and most impactful upgrades on this CX30 is certainly the Flat Out Suspension 2″ lift kit with strut extenders, which transforms the off-road capabilities by providing the much needed improvement in the ground clearance. This modification allows the Mazda to go over rougher terrain and overcome small obstacles that would scratch the bottom of a stock CX, while keeping reasonable on-road handling characteristics.
Another cool upgrade is the set of rugged-looking Falcon Offroad 17×8 V2 wheels in matte black finish that make the car look more brutal and provide the ability to mount larger tires. These wheels are wrapped in Nitto Nomad Grappler tires (225/65R17) that are actually larger than what comes stock on the more off-road oriented crossovers like a Subaru Forester and a Toyota Rav4.
Larger tire means a wider ground contact patch which improves traction and adds a little bit to the overall ground clearance improvement. The Nomad Grapplers feature an aggressive tread pattern designed to grip loose surfaces while still delivering reasonable road noise and wear characteristics for daily driving.
Exterior
On the exterior front, Joe has outfitted his CX30 with some functional upgrades to protect it from the damage on the trails and make it more versatile. The Cork Sport Aluminum Skid Plate shields vital underbody components from rocks and debris. For cargo management, he’s installed Mazda OEM Roof Crossbars paired with the Mazda OEM Roof Platform (borrowed from the CX-50), which provides plenty of space to mount Pelican BX55S Cargo Case and store gear securely.
The Torklift Central EcoHitch, combined with the Dirt Complex Trail Swing and 4122inc Hitch Slider, forms a versatile rear carrying system which serves as a perfect holder for the Maxtrax Lite recovery boards.
Performance
Like the true gear-head, Joe didn’t stop at suspension and exterior modifications and decided to do a couple of more enhancements under the hood. One of the most important upgrades he did was the Cork Sport Turbo Inlet Pipe which reduced the restriction in the intake tract and improved the airflow to the turbocharger. This works in perfect harmony with the AFE Power Takeda Momentum Cold Air Intake providing cooler and denser air to squeeze a couple of more HPs from the stock engine.
For those who appreciate a more engaging driving experience, the Magnaflow Street Series Axle-Back exhaust system delivers a deeper, more aggressive exhaust note without being overly intrusive during daily driving.
Tying these modifications together is the Burger Tuning JB4 (running on Map 1), a plug-and-play tuning solution that optimizes the engine’s performance parameters for improved power delivery throughout the rev range.
List of Modifications
Suspension
- Flat Out Suspension 2″ lift w/ strut extenders
Wheels
- Falcon Offroad Wheels 17×8 V2 (matte black)
- Nitto Tire Nomad Grapplers 225/65R17
Exterior
- Cork Sport Aluminum Skid Plate
- Mazda OEM Roof Crossbars
- Mazda OEM Roof Platform (from CX-50)
- Torklift Central EcoHitch
- Dirt Complex Trail Swing
- 4122inc Hitch Slider
- Maxtrax Maxtrax Lite
- Pelican BX55S Cargo Case
Interior
- Antigravity Batteries Re-Start Lithium Car Battery
Engine/Performance
- Cork Sport Turbo Inlet Pipe
- AFE Power Takeda Momentum CAI
- Magnaflow Street Series Axle-Back
- Burger Tuning JB4 (Map 1)
Let’s Sum it Up
What was the most difficult part of the build?
– The most difficult part was the lift kit. I was one of the first and few to test the kit, and I believe it wasn’t tested well enough for the CX-30 before its release (I suspect they tested it for the CX-50 and assumed the platforms were similar enough; they have since pulled it for another completely new solution).
Even to this day, over a year later, I’m still tweaking the rear suspension to find the right balance of ride height and comfort. Since the rear tire carrier puts a lot of weight back there, I’ve had to replace the rear springs with others at a higher spring rate, but the torsion beam design doesn’t allow much room for the springs to flex, as it bends out to the rear CV axles if not installed properly.
What do you love the most about your project?
– What I love about the car is how controversial it is when it’s seen off-road. This, along with the CX-50, get’s a lot of criticism for being marketed as an off-road vehicle when it isn’t, according to many.
Off-road to them means plenty of clearance, recover points, drivetrain lockers, on and on, which Mazda’s don’t have. Even the Honda Passport has their Trail edition with some of those features. But because of the low-end torque, turbo engine to provide more HP, and the traditional transmission (along with the “off-road mode” of locking the brakes to redirect power), I’m able to climb over a lot of obstacles Jeeps and Broncos can.
In fact, I’ll be in another YouTube video tackling a ledge that no one thought I could handle. And then what I love is the on-road power and nimbleness I feel behind the wheel, something Jeeps and Broncos and Tacomas would never be able to handle. And let’s not even mention gas mileage, which I can easily be at double what other off-roaders can do.
Conclusion
This 2021 Mazda CX30 build demonstrates how an urban crossover can be thoughtfully transformed into a capable weekend adventure vehicle. By focusing on the fundamentals such as the improved ground clearance, better wheel traction, and essential underbody protection Joe has put together a pretty well balanced build scoring 35 points in our Off-road Capability rating.
This Medium-level build proves that with strategic modifications and reasonable investment, even smaller crossovers can become legitimate entry points into the world of overlanding and outdoor adventures.
Technical Details & Score
Model: 2021 Mazda Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus
Engine: 2.5T
Drivetrain: All-Wheel-Drive
Construction: Unibody
Traction Enhancement Devices: i-Activ AWD® with G-Vectoring Control Plus
Low Range: No
Stock wheel size: 235/55R17 – 27.2″
Offroad Wheel Size: 225/65R17 – 28.5″
Build Level: Medium
Budget: $$$
Off-road Capability Score: 35/70
Photography: Eddie Quintero, @e.q.photo
Watch the progress and find out more about this lifted Mazda CX30 by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @joe.mzd
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