The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo is the range-topping version of the CX-30 subcompact crossover that features a turbocharged version of the SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The most powerful engine available in the CX-30, the turbo-four joins the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter on the U.S. market and the 2.0-liter gas and 1.8-liter diesel engines on other parts of the world. Rated at up to 250 horsepower depending on the type of fuel, the 2021 CX-30 Turbo is the most powerful version of the crossover built to date.

What makes the 2021 Mazda CX-30 special?

The only thing that will tell you this is the more powerful version is the "Turbo" lettering underneath the "Skyactiv G" badge on the tailgate. The Turbo model is also equipped with black, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, gloss-black mirror caps, and slightly larger tailpipes as standard. The same goes for the interior, where you'll find the usual stuff and tech, including the 8.8-inch infotainment display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and chrome trim on the black dashboard.

Under the hood is where things look a bit different. Although it features a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine like the standard U.S. CX-30, this mill is turbocharged and cranks out more oomph. This means it generates up to 64 horsepower and up to 134 pound-feet more than the naturally aspirated model. There's no word on performance, but that extra power and torque should make the Turbo model significantly quicker than its all-motor sibling.

This new Turbo model also comes with the i-Activ all-wheel-drive system, which incorporates off-road traction assist, as standard, so performance improves on all types of terrain.

In addition to that, the CX-30 Turbo is available with a suite of technologies, starting with i-Activesense safety features, which include Smart City Brake Support Reverse with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking. This function will automatically apply the brakes when the vehicle is reversing at speeds between two to four mph if an obstacle or a crossing vehicle is detected. Mazda also added a new support feature, Traffic Jam Assist, which enhances the Radar Cruise Control by providing steering inputs that can help you stay within lane markers at speeds under 40 mph. A new 360-degree View Monitor is also available, as are Active Driving Display, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Adaptive Front-lighting System.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo is a solid alternative to the Volkswagen T-Roc

While the naturally aspirated version had sufficient power for the T-Roc 2.0 TSI, rated at 187 horses, it lagged behind in the torque department, where the VW delivered an extra 50 pound-feet at 236 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo model not only trumps the 2.0 TDI in terms of power, torque, and performance, but it also comes close to the range-topping T-Roc R. Fitted with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the R model comes with 296 horsepower, 46 more than the Mazda, but generates "only" 295 pound-feet of torque, 25 less than the CX-30 Turbo.

Read our full review on the Volkswagen T-Roc

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo goes on sale by the end of 2020, but pricing information is not yet available. The standard CX-30 starts from $21,900 in base trim, but Mazda might not offer this powerplant on the entry-level model. The Select trim is likely to be a base option for the Turbo, which starts from $25,300 with AWD and the naturally-aspirated engine. This means that the CX-30 Turbo could retail from around $28,000 before options, while the range-topping Premium trim could cost around $32,000.