2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a rugged vehicle, it had become a high-end SUV with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, offering a blend of standard and extra-cost options. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and a mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was less advanced than newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 was a stylish subcompact SUV, resembling a downsized CX-5 with its upright grille and smooth fenders. Built on the Mazda3 platform, it offered a raised-up version of the hatchback. The CX-30's cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a well-designed interior featuring a blend of conventional and digital displays. However, its infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, had a steep learning curve. The CX-30 came in various trims, with the Turbo Premium Plus model offering a range of features, including front-and-rear parking sensors and driver assistance options.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Range Rover excelled in off-road capabilities, although the test drive was limited to a well-traveled trail. The SUV provided a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension filtering road harshness. However, its steering was relatively slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling on winding roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test average was 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The test model featured an upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane. Power was delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-30 provided decent acceleration, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response and shift mapping. Its sporty ride was complemented by well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, although the suspension resulted in a rough ride over potholes. The CX-30 handled dirt and gravel roads well but struggled on craggy paved roads.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered amenities like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

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 them in use. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The center console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided solid headroom but lacked the space of larger models like the CX-5, making them suitable for short-to-medium trips.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated by those familiar with smartphones or tablets. However, using the touchscreens while driving was distracting, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for assistance with the infotainment system.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash. Controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons, the system lacked touch functionality, which was a drawback. The setup was inspired by older luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive, which had been criticized for usability. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was challenging, although accessing CarPlay from the home screen was straightforward. The system remained cumbersome even after setup, potentially distracting for new users.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Additional driver aids were optional, with packages offering adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree parking camera. The head-up display provided clear graphics, and the electronic parking brake required the driver to fasten their seatbelt before disengaging. The CX-30 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.