2026 Mazda CX-30 GT Kuro Turbo: What the Turbocharged Kuro Edition Adds for Burnaby Drivers
February 11 2026,
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 lineup has more range than it might initially appear. At the top sits the GT Kuro Turbo — a trim that combines the blacked-out Kuro styling treatment with the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine, Bose premium audio, and an interior built around a deliberate contrast between dark exterior accents and a bright, light-toned cabin. For Burnaby buyers who have been researching the CX-30 and are deciding whether the GT Kuro Turbo is the right place to land in the lineup, this article covers exactly what it adds and who it's built for.
The CX-30 GT Kuro Turbo is new for 2026 — there was no equivalent trim in the 2025 lineup. It takes the naturally aspirated GS Kuro's visual identity and pairs it with the turbocharged power and technology package found at the GT tier. Understanding what each of those layers actually delivers helps clarify whether this is the trim for your situation or whether another position in the CX-30 range is a better fit.
The Trim-by-Trim Foundation: What You're Building On
Before getting into what the GT Kuro Turbo adds, it's worth understanding the lineup structure. Every 2026 CX-30 comes with the same core chassis improvements: new brake Limited Slip Differential (LSD), updated dampers for improved ride comfort, standard i-Activ AWD, G-Vectoring Control Plus, and Off-Road Traction Assist. These aren't trim-level features — they're standard across the entire 2026 range.
The standard i-Activsense safety suite is also consistent across all trims: Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Brake Support, High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
- All 2026 CX-30 models: brake LSD, updated dampers, i-Activ AWD standard
- All 2026 CX-30 models: full i-Activsense suite standard
- Base engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5L naturally aspirated, 186 hp, 186 lb-ft
- GT Kuro Turbo engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo, 250 hp / 320 lb-ft (premium fuel)
The Four Trim Levels at a Glance
|
Trim |
Engine |
Key Character |
|---|---|---|
|
GX |
2.5L naturally aspirated, 186 hp |
Entry point, full safety suite, 8.8-inch display |
|
GS |
2.5L naturally aspirated, 186 hp |
10.25-inch display, wireless CarPlay, heated wheel |
|
GS Kuro |
2.5L naturally aspirated, 186 hp |
Kuro styling, moonroof, power seat, Cruise & Traffic Support |
|
GT |
2.5L naturally aspirated or Turbo, up to 250 hp |
360° View Monitor, AFS, Alexa, black leather, power liftgate |
|
GT Turbo |
2.5L Turbo, 250 hp |
All GT features + turbo engine, black exterior accents |
|
GT Kuro (Turbo) |
2.5L Turbo, 250 hp |
GT Turbo + Kuro styling + white leatherette interior |
What the GT Kuro Turbo Specifically Delivers
The Turbocharged Powertrain
The GT Kuro Turbo runs the Skyactiv-G 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium 93-octane fuel. On regular 87-octane fuel, output is 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Maximum torque is available between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm — meaning the responsive pull comes in early in the rev range, exactly where urban driving and on-ramp acceleration in Burnaby require it.
This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ AWD. The turbo powertrain is also what distinguishes the GT Kuro from the GS Kuro — the naturally aspirated GS Kuro uses the 186 hp base engine, while the GT Kuro steps up to the full turbocharged output.
The Kuro Exterior Package
Kuro is a Japanese word for black, and the exterior treatment reflects that directly. The GT Kuro Turbo carries 18-inch black alloy wheels, Jet Black door mirrors, black signature wings, and gloss black emblems throughout. This contrasts with the standard GT's silver 18-inch wheels and more conventional trim accents. For Burnaby buyers who prefer a cohesive dark exterior without specifying individual options, the Kuro package delivers that as a complete, integrated treatment.
The Interior: White Leatherette with Grey Leganu
The interior contrast in the GT Kuro Turbo is deliberate and distinct from anything else in the 2026 CX-30 range. Kuro-exclusive white leatherette seats with grey Leganu fabric inserts, light grey stitching, and Grey Leganu interior trim create a bright, open cabin feel that sits in clear visual contrast to the dark exterior accents. This is the opposite of a conventional blacked-out performance interior — the design logic pairs the dark exterior with a lighter, more airy cabin.
The standard GT's interior uses black leather seating. For buyers who find all-black interiors less appealing for day-to-day use, the GT Kuro Turbo offers a genuine alternative within the same performance tier.
Technology and Connectivity
The GT Kuro Turbo carries the full GT technology package: a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Mazda Online Navigation, and Amazon Alexa integration. The safety suite at this level expands beyond the standard i-Activsense suite to include a 360° View Monitor, an Active Driving Display projected onto the windshield, an Adaptive Front-lighting System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Smart Brake Support Rear and Rear Crossing, and front and rear parking sensors.
Cruise and Traffic Support — which provides steering and speed assist in stop-and-go driving — is included, as is a power liftgate with programmable height. For Burnaby drivers who regularly navigate congested routes on the Trans-Canada or Kingsway, CTS reduces the active effort required in slow-moving traffic.
For Canadian winter conditions specifically, the GT level also includes a front wiper de-icer and automatic headlight levelling.
GT Kuro Turbo vs. GT Turbo: What Separates Them
For buyers deciding between the standard GT Turbo and the GT Kuro Turbo, the comparison is focused:
|
Feature |
GT Turbo |
GT Kuro Turbo |
|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
2.5L Turbo, 250 hp |
2.5L Turbo, 250 hp |
|
Wheels |
18-inch black alloy |
18-inch black alloy |
|
Mirrors |
Jet Black |
Jet Black |
|
Exterior Badges |
Black-plated |
Gloss black, black signature wings |
|
Seat Material |
Black leather |
White leatherette, grey Leganu inserts |
|
Stitching |
Standard |
Light grey stitching |
|
Interior Trim |
Standard |
Grey Leganu |
|
Audio |
Bose 12-speaker |
Bose 12-speaker |
Both trims share the same engine, drivetrain, and core technology package. The GT Kuro Turbo differentiates on styling — the Kuro exterior detailing and the lighter interior treatment. If the design language of the Kuro package resonates with you, the step up from the standard GT Turbo delivers that without compromising any performance or technology.
Who Is the GT Kuro Turbo Built For?
The GT Kuro Turbo suits Burnaby buyers who want the CX-30's most capable powertrain alongside a visual character that stands apart from conventional compact crossover styling. It also suits buyers who spend a meaningful portion of their day in urban stop-and-go conditions and want both the turbo engine's low-end responsiveness and Cruise and Traffic Support's active highway management.
The white leatherette interior makes it a natural choice for buyers who find dark interiors feel heavy, particularly in the frequent overcast conditions that Burnaby and Metro Vancouver experience through much of the year. The contrast between dark exterior and bright cabin is a design decision with real day-to-day livability implications — not just an aesthetic one.
Your Next CX-30 is at Metrotown Mazda
The 2026 Mazda CX-30 GT Kuro Turbo is available now at Metrotown Mazda in Burnaby. If you'd like to compare it against the GT Turbo or the GS Kuro in person — or simply get behind the wheel of the turbocharged engine — our team is here to help you work through the decision. Stop by and let's find the right trim for your daily drive in British Columbia.