2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Lexus 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 appealing design. The excessive cladding made the 18-inch wheels appear too small and gave the impression that the CX-30 was perpetually on a hydraulic lift. Despite this, the CX-30's overall design was praised, especially its luxurious interior above the midpoint of the cabin. Below that, hard plastic was prevalent, but this was expected given the vehicle's price point. 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 Lexus GX 460 retained the same basic body shell from a decade ago, with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't see any styling changes, but it did come with standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim. The GX's design was coherent despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille. Its tough, aggressive look was distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

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 figures, the CX-30's weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option affected its performance. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission was excellent, making the most of the available power, and Premium trim included paddle shifters. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors but more than most small crossover SUVs. Its driving dynamics were generally praised, though it felt slower and sloppier compared to the sporty Mazda3. The CX-30's steering, braking, and driver communication remained sharp, but its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 23.9 mpg in testing.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 5,130-pound weight impacted its performance, making merging and overtaking maneuvers challenging. The SUV's ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and various driver aids like hill-descent control. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler and multi-view camera system. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles. Its maximum towing capacity was 6,500 pounds.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its high ground clearance. Inside, the interior looked and felt upscale, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, and the gauges were large and simple. 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 back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics showed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, less than the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered essential technology, though the infotainment system had a steep learning curve. The 8.8-inch static display was not a touchscreen, requiring the use of center console, steering wheel, and voice controls. Standard features included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Pandora, and Mazda Connected Services with a 3-year trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available starting with Select trim, and Preferred and Premium trims offered a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The Premium trim also included a head-up display.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. Analog controls were provided for most functions, offering a refreshing alternative to touchscreen-centric interfaces. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 excelled in safety, with a generous list of standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and impressive crash-test ratings. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Select trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, while Premium trim included adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating 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 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.