2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its lack of distinctive styling, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was marked by a few unique elements, such as the grille and some chromed plastic features, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior aesthetics. The color palette offered by Honda was somewhat limited, with a heavy emphasis on neutral tones like gray, black, and white, and more vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic were hard to find on dealer lots. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and options for wood panels and chrome accents in higher trims, but it still faced stiff competition from more stylish rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 boasted a more distinctive and upscale appearance, reminiscent of a downsized CX-5. Its design featured an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders, giving it a sleek and modern look. The CX-30's cabin was praised for its comfort and quietness, with a solid feel to all its components. The interior design was considered one of the best among affordable cars, with a blend of conventional and digital displays and an infotainment screen that rose organically from the dashboard. However, the infotainment system's usability was a point of contention, as it lacked touch functionality and relied on a rotary dial, which some found cumbersome.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all its trims, providing smooth and steady acceleration suitable for highway merging and predictable cornering. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, lacked the engagement of more conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup, consisting of a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, offered decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, offered a more dynamic driving experience. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The test model featured an upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, and up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on premium fuel. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission, along with a Sport mode, provided lively acceleration and responsive downshifting. The vehicle's steering was well-weighted, with quick and precise turn-in, although the sporty suspension resulted in a rougher ride over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the more spacious options in its class, capable of comfortably accommodating five passengers and their gear. Depending on the trim, the CR-V offered various tailgate options, from manual to hands-free power operation. However, roof rails were only standard on the top-tier Touring trim, limiting its utility for carrying additional cargo on the roof.

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, which was average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model included a power rear liftgate, enhancing convenience. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, although its design could be problematic when the rear seats were folded. The rear seats offered decent headroom for short-to-medium trips but were less spacious than those in the larger CX-5, potentially making longer journeys less comfortable for adults.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim came with a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base trim, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was integrated into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons, lacking touch functionality. This setup, inspired by luxury-car systems, was criticized for its usability, particularly when navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite its elegant design, the system was considered cumbersome, especially for those unfamiliar with it.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features standard across all trims, such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 also prioritized safety, with standard features like forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 received a five-star NHTSA rating and the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, with top marks in all crash tests and driver-assistance technology.