2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

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 mistake, as it detracted from the vehicle's otherwise attractive styling. The excessive cladding made the 18-inch wheels appear too small and gave the CX-30 a perpetually lifted look, as if it were on a hydraulic lift awaiting service. Despite this, the CX-30's design was praised, especially its luxurious interior, which featured soft-touch materials above the cabin's midpoint. However, hard plastics were prevalent below this line, which was expected given the vehicle's price range. The CX-30's pricing started at $21,900, with various trims and options pushing the cost up to $32,120 for a fully loaded model.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX, in contrast, was lauded for its styling, which was a significant improvement over the original Encore. The Encore GX came in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring package available for all trims. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines on offer. Pricing started at $24,200 for the base model and went up to $30,600 for the top-tier Essence AWD. The test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter turbo engine and several upgrades, had an MSRP of $35,065. Buick offered significant discounts and lease deals to make the Encore GX more appealing. The interior quality was on par with the small SUV segment, but the design had some flaws, such as hard-to-read gauges and a vibrating head-up display.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a smooth and refined 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 relatively heavy 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 was praised for its ability to make the most of the available power, and the Premium trim included paddle shifters for a sportier driving experience. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for light off-roading. While the CX-30's driving dynamics were not as sharp as the Mazda3 on which it was based, it still ranked highly among small SUVs for its handling and responsiveness. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 23.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.3-liter engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine was available with both FWD and AWD, while the smaller engine was limited to FWD. The Encore GX's driving experience was described as adequate, with enough power for highway cruising and some torque steer with FWD models. The FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX's ride quality was criticized for being too brittle over rough roads and too soft over speed humps. Despite Buick's efforts to reduce noise, the cabin was not particularly quiet. The Encore GX's handling was decent, with flat cornering and good braking performance, but it lacked the refinement expected of a premium brand. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered the benefit of higher ground clearance, making entry and exit easier compared to the Mazda3. The interior was praised for its upscale and elegant design, with soft padding on the center console, door armrests, and front upper door panels. The driving position was excellent, and the gauges were large and easy to read. Cloth seating was standard, with simulated leather available in Select and Preferred trims, and genuine leather in Premium trim. The rear seat was cramped, with limited legroom, making it suitable for younger children and shorter adults. Cargo space was also limited, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down, less than many competitors.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX had supportive front seats with power adjustments and heating, but the rear seats were less comfortable, with limited legroom and a low, flat cushion. Interior storage was good, with 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The test vehicle had a hands-free power liftgate, which was deemed unnecessary, and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items. The Encore GX's interior design was functional, but the rear seats lacked comfort and support for longer trips.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch static display for its infotainment system, which was integrated into the dashboard design. Mazda avoided using a touchscreen to improve driver focus, but the controls were not always intuitive. Standard features included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Pandora, and Mazda Connected Services with a 3-year trial subscription. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available starting with the Select trim, and the Premium trim offered a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth for two devices, and Buick Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle also had a navigation system, voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L, and a surround-view camera. Wireless smartphone charging was available with the Convenience Package. Despite the added features, the test car did not have the optional Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was praised for its quick response, voice recognition, and user-friendly interface.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system. Select trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Premium trim included adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS with Premium trim.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, and adaptive cruise control was available. The Encore GX also featured Teen Driver technology and a Tire Fill Alert system. The adaptive cruise control had some issues with distance management, and the lane-keeping assist felt unnatural. The Encore GX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not tested it.