2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the rugged Bronco. It featured a modern retro design reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body for trail driving. The front grille and tailgate prominently displayed the "BRONCO" name, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript. The wheels varied by trim, ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with an uncluttered design, convenient storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The trim levels offered a step-up in interior features, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30 featured a raked windshield that acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, with a slight curve that could distort the view for taller drivers. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The instrument cluster blended conventional and digital displays, and the infotainment screen rose organically from the dashboard. However, the infotainment system had a steep learning curve, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the center console. The trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S with 16-inch alloy wheels and standard AWD to the Turbo Premium Plus with front-and-rear parking sensors and additional driver assistance features.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it had good manners, though the 1.5-liter engine could sound strained when pressed hard.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in our test model delivered 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport button altering throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier drive. The CX-30 had well-weighted steering, quick turn-in, and minimal body roll, though it had a rough ride over potholes. The suspension handled dirt and gravel roads well but struggled on craggy paved roads.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds (2,000 pounds for the 1.5-liter). The cargo hold had smart features like a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might struggle with visibility due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use, average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model had a power rear liftgate. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. The rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the headroom of the larger CX-5, making longer drives a tight fit.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system had up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for different conditions. Trail control technology acted like cruise control for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except Base, with heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel on higher trims.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the center console. The system was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems like BMW's iDrive but lacked touch functionality, making it difficult to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were challenging to operate with the rotary dial. The system was confusing even after setting up presets, and switching between them was cumbersome. The infotainment system's poor usability was a significant drawback.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, and road-sign recognition. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes were standard on all models. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had released crash-worthiness ratings for the Bronco Sport.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features like forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. Adaptive front headlights, a 360-degree parking camera, and a head-up display were also included. The CX-30 earned five out of five stars from the NHTSA and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.