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Nissan Qashqai vs Mazda CX-30 comparison

Compare performance (205 HP vs 186 HP), boot space and price (29,600 £ vs 25,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Nissan Qashqai or Mazda CX-30?

Nissan Qashqai vs Mazda CX-30: Key differences

Nissan Qashqai

4.9 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • very slightly more power
  • visibly more efficient
  • barely quicker 0–100 km/h
  • very slightly lighter
  • slightly more trunk space

Mazda CX-30

4.6 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • a bit cheaper

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

Qashqai

Mazda CX-30 VS Nissan Qashqai — a compact crossover comparison

Mazda CX-30 vs Nissan Qashqai: two compact crossovers squaring off in the increasingly crowded compact SUV market. This comparison lays out the differences in character, everyday usability, perceived quality and practicality so you can cut through showroom gloss. The Mazda CX-30 plays the premium, design-led card while the Nissan Qashqai pitches itself as the sensible, all-rounder family crossover. Read on to see which one matches your priorities before you dive into the detailed figures below.

CX-30

Personality clash: style vs calm

On vibe alone the Mazda CX-30 feels taut and emotional, like a small-luxury car with sporty intentions, whereas the Nissan Qashqai wears a more composed, conservative suit that prioritises comfort and calm. Mazda leans into sculpted surfaces and a driver-focused interior that smells of ambition, while the Qashqai plays things safe with an understated cabin and easy-going ergonomics. That difference isn't just styling; it changes how you feel at the wheel — the CX-30 invites you to hustle, the Qashqai invites you to relax. Both moods have fans, so pick the one that makes you grin on the daily commute.

Qashqai

Daily life realities: urban agility or family comfort?

When it comes to daily life, the Nissan Qashqai often proves the more forgiving partner for family duties and long motorway miles, while the Mazda CX-30 excels in tighter urban routes and for drivers who prize tactile steering and cabin polish. The Qashqai's packaging tends to be more flexible for boots full of sports kit and awkward grocery hauls, whereas the CX-30 rewards careful packing with a more intimate cabin feel. On longer trips the Qashqai's ride and room can make miles melt away, but the CX-30 keeps fatigue at bay with supportive seats and a quietly premium ambience. In everyday use the choice comes down to whether you prioritise usable space and calm or cabin feel and driver engagement.

CX-30

What you tell your friends: image and justification

If image matters, the Mazda CX-30 is the one people mention at dinner parties — it looks sharper and gives a stronger premium impression than the Nissan Qashqai ever set out to. Choose the CX-30 to signal taste and to enjoy a cabin that feels like a step up, choose the Qashqai to justify practicality and to show you opted for a wisely thought-through choice. Tech and feature presentation differ too: Mazda favours tasteful simplicity, Nissan favours clear utility and user-friendly systems. Your social reasons — whether you want kudos for style or praise for sensible choices — will likely tip the balance more than raw data.

Qashqai

Who should buy the Mazda CX-30?

The Mazda CX-30 is best for buyers who value style and an involving daily drive more than absolute load-lugging ability. If you enjoy a plush interior, neat controls and the feeling that your car is a small premium model, the CX-30 will reward those priorities. It’s the right call for style-conscious commuters and couples who want something a touch special without stepping up to a full luxury brand. If you need the extra room or the more frugal demeanour that the Nissan Qashqai leans toward, however, the Mazda is a less obvious fit.

CX-30

Who should pick the Nissan Qashqai (and why the Mazda still tempts)

The Nissan Qashqai suits drivers who put practicality, low fuss and measured efficiency at the top of the list: think family hauls, long commutes and buyers who prefer substance over flash. If you want a roomy boot, comfortable rear seats and predictable comfort on motorways, the Qashqai is the more practical daily companion compared with the CX-30. It’s also the sensible choice for anyone who dislikes constant parking gymnastics and wants a car that simply copes with life’s small dramas. No outright winner here — one car nudges toward elegance and engagement, the other toward everyday logic — so scroll to the data below to see which trade-off fits your life.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Qashqai

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Mazda CX-30 is a bit cheaper – starting at 25,200 £ , while the Nissan Qashqai costs 29,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,371 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Nissan Qashqai uses 4.5 L/100km and is visibly more efficient than the Mazda CX-30 with 5.7 L/100km. The difference is about 1.2 L/100km.

CX-30

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Nissan Qashqai offers very slightly more power – delivering 205 HP compared to 186 HP. That’s roughly 19 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Nissan Qashqai is barely quicker – completing the sprint in 7.6 s, while the Mazda CX-30 takes 8.3 s. That’s about 0.7 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Nissan Qashqai delivers noticeably more torque with 330 Nm compared to 240 Nm. That’s about 90 Nm more.

Qashqai

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Nissan Qashqai is very slightly lighter – 1,420 kg compared to 1,455 kg. The difference is around 35 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Nissan Qashqai offers slightly more boot space – 504 L compared to 430 L. That’s a difference of about 74 L.

When it comes to payload, the Nissan Qashqai carries only slightly more – 520 kg compared to 496 kg. That’s a difference of about 24 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Nissan Qashqai stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £29,600
Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 140 - 205 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.5 - 6.8 L/100km
Nissan Qashqai
Mazda CX-30

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai blends practical, family-friendly packaging with SUV styling that refuses to shout, making it a sensible and dependable choice for everyday life. It’s comfortable to live with, economical on the road, and neatly equipped enough to feel modern without ever feeling precious — perfect if you want crossover versatility without the drama.

details

Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 blends sleek coupe-like lines with the practicality of a compact crossover, feeling more premium than its price tag suggests. It’s a joy to drive for anyone who likes a taut chassis and an interior that treats daily commutes like a small luxury escape.

details
Nissan Qashqai
Mazda CX-30

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,600 - 39,900 £
Price
25,200 - 36,800 £
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 6.8 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.7 - 6.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
102 - 154 g/km
co2
129 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
55 L
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,420 - 1,665 kg
Curb weight
1,455 - 1,587 kg
Trunk capacity
479 - 504 L
Trunk capacity
422 - 430 L
Length
4,425 mm
Length
-
Width
1,835 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Height
1,625 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
1,422 - 1,447 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
466 - 520 kg
Payload
458 - 496 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, CVT, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 205 HP
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 10.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 - 10.3 s
Max Speed
170 - 206 km/h
Max Speed
-
Torque
240 - 330 Nm
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
103 - 151 kW
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,498 cm3
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, C
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
Brand
Nissan
Brand
Mazda
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.