2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

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. This design choice gave the CX-30 a lifted appearance, as if it were perpetually on a service lift. Despite this, the interior was lauded for its luxurious feel, especially above the cabin's midpoint, where soft-touch materials were prevalent. However, below this line, hard plastics were more common, which was expected given the vehicle's price point. 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 enhancements, totaling $32,120.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between the compact and midsize luxury SUV segments, offering a unique blend of styling. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinct profile, setting it apart from the traditional Range Rover design. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, which improved its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition introduced sportier styling elements, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel. However, its avant-garde styling resulted in limited headroom and a somewhat claustrophobic interior, despite its competitive cargo space of 15.7 cubic feet with seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. 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, equipped with paddle shifters in the Premium trim, provided a smooth driving experience, with power directed to the front wheels or optionally to all four wheels with the AWD system. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance, suitable for light off-roading. While its driving dynamics were not as sharp as the Mazda3, the CX-30 ranked highly among small SUVs for its handling and responsiveness. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 23.9 mpg during testing, and a smaller gas tank reduced its driving range.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined ride, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The Velar also featured advanced off-road technology, although its road-focused design limited its off-road prowess.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered a higher ground clearance than the Mazda3, making entry and exit easier. Inside, the CX-30's interior was praised for its upscale appearance, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was comfortable, with large analog gauges for easy reference. Cloth seating was standard, with simulated leather available in higher trims, and genuine leather in the Premium trim. However, the rear seat was cramped, with limited legroom, and cargo space was modest at 20.2 cubic feet with seats up and 45.2 cubic feet with seats down, placing it closer to the subcompact segment.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize ones, resulting in a unique size category. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as some competitors, with the GLC offering more legroom and the X3 more headroom. Cargo space was competitive at 15.7 cubic feet with seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with seats down. The Velar's styling, while striking, limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel. The cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, but the tall center console was easily accessible. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered a straightforward technology package, with an 8.8-inch static display integrated into the dashboard. The system avoided a touchscreen to improve driver focus, but the controls were not always intuitive. Standard features included Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available in higher trims. The Premium trim added a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system offered high-quality graphics but was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 excelled in safety, with a comprehensive list of standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and impressive crash-test ratings. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS with Premium trim.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, with adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring available as options. The Velar's safety offerings were less sophisticated than some competitors, with fewer standard driver-assist features.