2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 had a design that was both praised and critiqued. While its overall styling was considered attractive, the excessive gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter detracted from its appeal, making the 18-inch wheels appear undersized. Despite this, the interior was lauded for its luxurious feel, especially above the midpoint of the cabin, where soft-touch materials were prevalent. The CX-30's pricing started at $21,900, with various trims offering additional features and upgrades, such as the Premium AWD model, which included a navigation system and other amenities, totaling $32,120.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Compass was seen as a handsome SUV, drawing inspiration from the Grand Cherokee's refined styling. It was available in four core trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with prices starting at $22,280 for the base model. The Compass offered numerous packages and special editions, allowing for customization. Our test vehicle, a Compass Limited with AWD and various options, reached a price of $39,755. Despite its attractive design and available features, the Compass was criticized for its use of low-quality materials in certain areas, which detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite its competitive power figures, the CX-30's weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option limited its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, however, was praised for its efficiency and included paddle shifters in the Premium trim. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for light off-roading. While its handling was not as sharp as the Mazda3, it was still considered one of the better performers in its class, though fuel economy was a concern, with real-world figures falling short of EPA estimates.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, produced 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite these figures, the Compass was criticized for its sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy, averaging 23.1 mpg compared to the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. The nine-speed automatic transmission was noted for its harsh shifts and reluctance to downshift. While the Compass's suspension managed body roll well, it allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal required acclimation. However, the Compass excelled in off-road conditions, especially in Trailhawk trim, with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and Rock driving mode.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its higher ground clearance. Inside, the cabin was elegant and upscale, with soft-touch materials on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, and the analog gauges were easy to read. The CX-30's rear seat was cramped, with limited legroom, and cargo space was modest at 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it closer to the subcompact segment.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, with the Luxury Seat Group option, provided premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, offering air conditioning vents, a USB port, and a power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space was more generous than the CX-30, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, storage space inside the cabin was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch display integrated into the dashboard, avoiding a touchscreen to keep the driver's focus on the road. While the system included essential features like Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services, it lacked intuitive controls, making it challenging to use while driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available from the Select trim, and the Premium trim offered a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display.

The 2020 Jeep Compass boasted an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive, with appealing graphics, though some features were buried in menus. Voice recognition worked well, and primary controls were separate from the display. The test vehicle included a navigation system and an Alpine premium audio system, providing decent sound quality.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Select trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The CX-30 received high safety ratings, with a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with Premium trim.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. These systems performed adequately, though the adaptive cruise control was noted for overreacting in traffic. The Compass received mixed safety ratings, with Good ratings from the IIHS except for headlights, and a combination of three-star, four-star, and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.