2020-2024 Mazda CX-30 2.5L Base Engine (PY-VPS): Problems, Longevity, and Specs

Among the best SUVs in 2023, the Mazda CX-30 is certainly taking its place in the first 10 models of the rating. But is it actually that good? We've investigated the new CX-30 in terms of its base engine and are going to tell you more about it before you pay your hard-earned money for the Japanese compact SUV (actually, for the ultra-compact SUV).

Today, we'll tell you more about the 2.5-liter engine that powers the cheapest trim of the Mazda CX-30 in 2023 and will offer you a quick look at its possible common problems. We are going to tell you about its pros and cons and also outline some important maintenance requirements that will allow you to drive this vehicle for more years.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2013-now
• Average lifespan of PY-VPS:210,000-240,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:direct injection
• Power range:185-195 hp
• Fuel efficiency:good
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:oil consumption, complicated fuel-supply system, drive belt problems, electronic thermostat issues.

Main facts about the 2.5L engine that powers the Mazda CX-30

In 2021, over 60,000 models of the CX-30 were sold and this figure is going to be bigger for 2022 and 2023. Globally, Mazda sold more than 180,000 SUVs of this model which is another important fact to know about the vehicle. This is potentially one of the most obvious competitors for the VW Taos and the Chevy Trailblazer in the market of ultra-small SUVs.

The base version is powered by a very decent 2.5-liter PY-VPS engine. If you are ready to pay more, you can also buy the trim with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with great power of 227 hp. But those trims cost a lot, as for us, and we would concentrate on the non-turbocharged version because of its good price and the great performance of the engine.

Here's what you should know about the unit:

• this is the naturally aspirated engine that has a decent displacement of 2.5 liters which is quite hard to see now in any other compact SUV;
• the engine produces 186 hp of power and 186 lb-ft of torque - this is not a lot but absolutely enough for the relatively small CX-30;
• the engine comes with a good 6-speed automatic transmission and also with the AWD system - good advantages of any trim, even the cheapest one;
• the engine doesn't seem to be bad at all even when you read some reports about issues, this is still one of the best engines in the class;
• the same Skyactiv-G engine powers the base CX-5 model, so the smaller CX-30 will have enough power and torque, for sure;
• the engine codenamed PY-VPS has been in production since 2013, so we know a lot about its longevity and common issues.

You may also want to know that the 2.5L non-turbo engine under the hood of your Mazda CX-30 is the DOHC engine with hydraulic lifters and a chain-driven timing system. Both the head and block are made of light aluminum. Basically, the construction of this engine is simple and won't cause any problems when repairing or maintaining the vehicle.

In terms of fuel consumption, it's not bad at all. The CX-30 will show about 33 MPG on highways and around 26 MPG in the city. Is this OK for an SUV? Just compare it with some other vehicles and you'll see it's great for the 2.5-liter engine with this amount of power and all the other advantages you get with it.

How long will the 2.5L Mazda CX-30 engine survive?

Longevity is one of the most common questions when it comes to any Mazda engine. But we can comfort you - these Skyactiv-G engines are not bad at all. Even when it comes to the turbocharged sibling of the PY-VPS engine, the longevity is not that bad. Here, we can talk about 220,000 miles of driving without any major problems.

The overall longevity of this engine is considered to be about 250,000 miles. After that point, the 2.5L Mazda engine is not considered economically wise to use.

We've seen a couple of other Mazda models equipped with this engine having 200,000 plus miles on their odometers. And all owners were only saying good things about their cars. So, this is a pretty durable engine for the CX-30 and one of the best choices if you are OK with its power. If not, then the turbocharged version is your choice, but be ready to pay some more money for it.

What are the most common issues with the Mazda CX-30 engine?

As you may have already figured out, this 2.5L non-turbo engine is not without its pinch of salt. The most obvious problems have already been resolved by the manufacturer, so in 2023 you are going to buy a slightly improved engine which will be less problematic than earlier versions of the same powerplant.

Though, we still know about some common issues that you are likely to encounter in your new CX-30. Here are some of them:

1. Oil consumption even in the early stages

Well, we've spoken to mechanics that work with Mazda vehicles and they pointed out that these engines are prone to oil consumption. They can even burn some oil when relatively new. After just 40,000 miles, you may notice that the oil level drops significantly after driving on highways. During city rides, this is not going to be that bad.

To avoid oil consumption, you will need to have the valve seals replaced. Later on, piston rings will also let some oil flow into the combustion chamber. But repairing this engine is pretty expensive, so many owners just add some oil between changes.

2. Connecting rod bearings failing

Rod bearings suffer abnormally often in these engines exactly because of the low oil level. Once they are not lubricated correctly, they may get scratched or even moved by connecting rods. Especially, this is possible when the engine overheats and works at high RPM.

The only remedy for this is to watch the oil level. The oil pressure light will only bother you in this car when it's too late. So, just get that dipstick out of the engine sometimes and see if you need to add some oil.

3. Fuel injection system and ignition coils

If you buy some bad fuel (which is any fuel that's not premium), you are going to suffer a lot when it comes to ignition coil replacement. They cost quite a lot just like other Mazda parts. And they can die because of bad fuel.

Also, contaminated or just wrong fuel may kill the fuel injection system which is really sensitive and not cheap to repair. You need to watch out and buy only high-quality and good fuel that will not cause any problems. Otherwise, your expenses for repair will be just astonishingly high.

4. Drive belt problems

The drive belt is the part that drives the alternator, AC system, and other parts of your engine. The belt is completely OK, but engineers introduced the plastic pulley that is attached to the tensioner. This plastic pulley may crack and it leads to the broken belt.

Actually, this is not a very bad problem but you will not be able to drive your vehicle for a long time once this belt is broken. Every unit of your car starts draining power from the 12V battery instead of taking it directly from the alternator. So, after a few hours or even sooner the car will die.

5. Timing chain issues when the mileage is high

Once the mileage is over 150,000 miles, you should replace the timing chain in the PY-VPS engine. A lot of drivers do it even sooner. This is because the timing chain may stretch and jump. This will lead to the pistons bumping over the valves. Actually, after this happens, you may just start searching for a new engine because repairing the old one will cost a fortune.

To avoid this, just replace the timing chain along with the coolant pump, tensioners, plastic guides, and other parts. This will ensure your engine can go another 100K miles or something like that.

What should you do to let your 2.5L Mazda CX-30 engine go longer?

We've outlined in this article that you need to replace the timing chain at about 150,000 miles. Also, you should change the oil and oil filter every 10,000 miles. We also recommend replacing fuel and air filters every 10K miles even though you may see other intervals in the driver's manual.

One more thing is the fuel type you buy. Never try to save money on fuel, always provide your CX-30 with high-quality gas.

Final words

We believe the 2.5L Skyactive-G engine in the new 2023 Mazda CX-30 is one of the best engines in the company's lineup. It gives you wonderful power, great fuel economy, cool emotions, and long-running. You will not encounter any serious problems unless your CX-30 has a lot of miles on it. Also, the engine feels just great even though it's not a turbocharged unit.