2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Mazda CX-30

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 considered 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 CX-30 a perpetually lifted look, as if it were on a hydraulic lift awaiting service. Despite this, the CX-30's overall design was praised, especially its luxurious interior, which featured high-quality materials above the cabin's midpoint. However, hard plastics were prevalent below this line, which was expected given the vehicle's price range.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling, recognizable by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. This design made it look like a toy truck for adults, appealing to many enthusiasts. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could have painted or exposed fenders, a soft top or hardtop, and other unique styling touches. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, comparable to smaller crossovers.

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 these competitive 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 excellent, making the most of the available power. The CX-30's front wheels were driven by default, with an optional AWD system that included an off-road traction assist system. The vehicle offered 8 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors but more than most small crossover SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems included Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar for off-roading. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, produced 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar.

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, door armrests, and front upper door panels. The driving position was excellent, with large, simple analog gauges for quick reference. 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, making it suitable for younger children and shorter adults. Cargo space was also limited, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, less than many competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with optional insulated panels. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, was a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch static display for its infotainment system, which was not a touchscreen to improve driver focus. However, the controls were not always intuitive, making the system challenging to use while driving. Standard equipment included Bluetooth calling and music streaming, text messaging support, HD Radio, a Pandora internet radio app, and Mazda Connected Services with a free 3-year trial subscription. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available starting with the Select trim, while Preferred and Premium trims offered a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system. The CX-30 Premium also included a head-up display.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen for the radio and vehicle settings. The 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The sharp 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, featuring crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered a generous list of standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and impressive crash-test ratings. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Select trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, while the Premium trim included adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating in every crash test from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with Premium trim.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered modern driver-assistance features as optional, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler's safety features were basic compared to other vehicles in its class.