2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

During the 2020 Mazda CX-30's development, a decision was made to cover its lower perimeter with thick gray plastic cladding. This choice was widely regarded as a misstep, as it detracted from the vehicle's otherwise appealing design. The excessive cladding made the 18-inch wheels appear undersized and gave the impression that the CX-30 was perpetually on a hydraulic lift. Despite this, the interior design was praised for its luxurious feel, especially above the midpoint of the cabin, where soft-touch materials were prevalent. The base price of the CX-30 started at $21,900, with various trims and options pushing the price up to $32,120 for a fully loaded Premium AWD model.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, adopted a tougher and more angular look, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner. Its front fascia featured stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving it a rugged appearance. The dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills reinforced its off-road capability. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid's design was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny trim. While it lacked luxury features like leather upholstery, the interior materials were of good quality. The RAV4 Hybrid was available in four trims: LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited, with prices reflecting the level of equipment and features.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 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. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, however, was praised for its smooth operation and included paddle shifters in the Premium trim. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance and an optional AWD system with off-road traction assist. While it handled well compared to other small SUVs, it felt slower and less agile than the Mazda3 on which it was based. Fuel economy was a concern, with an average of 23.9 mpg in testing, below the EPA's combined rating of 27 mpg.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid boasted a combined 219 horsepower from its 2.5-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors. Its most impressive feature was its EPA-rated fuel economy of 40 mpg, which was consistently achievable in real-world driving. The hybrid system provided smooth and seamless power delivery, making the RAV4 Hybrid quicker to accelerate than its non-hybrid counterpart. The absence of a driveshaft connecting the front and rear wheels reduced weight and improved handling. The RAV4 Hybrid's regenerative braking was smooth, and it could tow up to 1,750 pounds. The steering was light, and the suspension was soft, prioritizing comfort over sportiness.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its higher ground clearance. Inside, the cabin was upscale and elegant, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, and the gauges were large and easy to read. Cloth seating was standard, with simulated leather in Select and Preferred trims, and genuine leather in Premium trim. The rear seat was cramped, with limited legroom, and cargo space was modest at 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with them folded down.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (8-inch optional) and simple, well-thought-out climate controls. The center console provided ample storage, including an optional Qi wireless charging tray. The cabin could be noisy, but the hybrid system mitigated engine noise. The rear seat offered impressive legroom, accommodating three adults comfortably. The cargo area was spacious, with 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity and no compromise in space due to the hybrid hardware.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30's technology package included an 8.8-inch static display, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services with a 3-year trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available starting with the Select trim. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display. The infotainment system, however, had a steep learning curve and was not always intuitive to use.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM Radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a USB-A port for easy phone connectivity. Additional USB-A ports were available in higher trims. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured Predictive Efficient Drive, which optimized battery usage for improved efficiency. Drive modes included Eco, Sport, and Trail, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their needs.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 excelled in safety, with standard features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Select trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 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 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and parking assist were optional. The RAV4 Hybrid received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the standard RAV4.