2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades available. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while a fully loaded Compass Limited with all-wheel drive could reach up to $39,755. Despite its upscale features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal, such as low-rent glossy plastic pieces and flimsy-feeling parts.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a bold design with shiny black 18-inch wheels, a shiny black grille, and thick matte black body cladding. The CX-30 Turbo stood out from the Mazda3 hatchback on which it was based, with a higher ground clearance and a more rugged appearance. Inside, the CX-30 Turbo offered a premium feel with quality materials, complementary tones, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces. The cabin was spacious and comfortable for the driver, though the rear seats were cramped for adults. Prices for the CX-30 Turbo ranged from about $31,000 to around $35,000, with our test vehicle priced at $35,745.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts, while the suspension allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the octane rating of the fuel. Torque measured 310 pound-feet at 2,000 rpm or 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm, providing effortless acceleration. The CX-30 Turbo's EPA rating was 25 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 24.1 mpg. The six-speed automatic transmission, standard i-Activ AWD system, and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology contributed to a smooth and responsive driving experience. The CX-30 Turbo handled well on both pavement and dirt, with an Off-Road mode for added capability.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space measured 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. However, storage space inside the cabin was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo provided exceptional comfort for the driver, with eight-way power adjustment and impressive long-distance support. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard with Premium and Premium Plus trim. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the rear seats were cramped for adults. Storage space was generous, but the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin was inconvenient. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. The system also offered SiriusXM Guardian connected services, a navigation system, and an Alpine premium audio system. Uconnect was intuitive and easy to use, though some features were embedded in menus that could have been more accessible. The voice recognition system worked well with naturally spoken requests, though navigation required more specific prompts.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo's infotainment system featured an 8.8-inch display operated by physical controls on the center console and steering wheel, or specific voice commands. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the process of changing radio stations was cumbersome. The CX-30 Turbo came with three free years of Mazda Connected Services, including remote engine starting and a vehicle finder function, as well as a six-month trial for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Premium and Premium Plus trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, which sounded great thanks to proper speaker placement.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. These systems performed to average expectations, with some overreacting and causing confusion. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance, and received a mix of three-star, four-star, and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The CX-30 Turbo came with a full suite of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system contacted first responders following a collision.