2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was a striking vehicle, especially for those who appreciated black wheels. Its exclusive shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, side mirror housings, and thick matte black body cladding gave it a unique, almost aggressive appearance. Mazda's design philosophy aimed to make the CX-30 look light and agile, as if it were floating over the wheels. This effect was achieved through the extensive use of lower body cladding, making the CX-30 appear higher off the ground compared to the Mazda3 hatchback on which it was based. The interior of the CX-30 was equally impressive, featuring quality materials, complementary tones and textures, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces that provided an upscale vibe. The cabin changes were minimal but included a chrome accent around the engine start button and a standard frameless rearview mirror. The SUV offered a choice between black and Griege leatherette upholstery, with black or white leather available in Premium and Premium Plus trims. Prices for the 2021 CX-30 Turbo ranged from about $31,000 to around $35,000, with the test vehicle priced at $35,745.

The 2021 Lexus NX retained its familial design and styling attributes, with sharp design lines and a sculpted exterior that made it look similar to the smaller Lexus UX and larger Lexus RX. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The F Sport version featured a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels, giving it a sportier appearance. Inside, the NX F Sport models had quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with options for Circuit Red, Black, and Arctic White/Black color schemes. The interior materials and fit and finish were excellent, with a gauge cluster featuring a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. The center stack, however, showed its age with an odd design and switchgear from past Lexus models. Despite this, the NX provided a smooth and comfortable driving experience, with a G-Force meter and three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced between 227 and 250 horsepower, depending on the octane rating of the fuel. The engine delivered 310 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm or 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm, providing effortless acceleration. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 24.1 mpg during testing. The SUV's i-Activ all-wheel-drive system and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology helped manage torque steer and distribute power effectively. The CX-30 Turbo's added height and weight made it less pleasurable to drive compared to the Mazda3, but its 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode made it capable in off-road conditions. The torsion-beam rear suspension design occasionally resulted in a pronounced bounce, but overall, the CX-30 Turbo was a rewarding vehicle to drive.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but not as smooth as the newer eight-, nine-, and 10-speed transmissions found in competitors. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with a relatively quiet ride except under hard acceleration. The F Sport models featured Active Sound Control, which enhanced the engine note electronically through the car's speakers. The NX's all-wheel-drive system allowed up to 50 percent of the car's available torque to be transferred to the rear axle. Fuel economy for the NX 300 was 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined for the FWD model, with AWD models achieving similar numbers. The NX also had an adaptive-suspension system that made up to 650 instantaneous compression and damping adjustments. The NX's steering was numb, but the car remained easy to maneuver, with three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. The NX 300 had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo was exceptionally comfortable for the driver, with eight-way power adjustment and impressive long-distance support. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard with Premium and Premium Plus trim. However, ventilated seats were not available, and the front passenger seat lacked a wider range of adjustment. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, but the back seat was cramped for adults. Storage space was generous, but the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin forced a choice between storage and phone charging. The CX-30 Turbo offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Lexus NX had an upscale interior that was both stylish and comfortable. The front seats provided plenty of room for adults, and the second-row seats easily accommodated two adults with good legroom. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the NX offered a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The cabin was quiet, with minimal road and wind noise. However, the NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The NX offered a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats as options.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment system display that was not a touchscreen. Instead, the system was operated using physical controls on the center console and steering wheel, or specific voice commands. The Mazda Connect infotainment system required acclimation, and the voice control technology was helpful but not as advanced as natural voice recognition systems. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided access to digital assistants, but the process of changing radio stations was cumbersome. The CX-30 Turbo included three free years of Mazda Connected Services, with remote engine starting and a vehicle finder function, and a separate trial period for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot service. Premium and Premium Plus trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The CX-30 also featured an Active Driving Display (head-up display) with useful data projected onto the windshield.

The 2021 Lexus NX had an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The infotainment system added HomeLink to its Navigation package for 2021, and the package also included Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with integrated Google Assistant. The Lexus infotainment system was not user-friendly, and functions were buried deep in menus. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The NX offered a moonroof and heated steering wheel as options. The Lexus Premium Audio system was standard, with an eight-speaker stereo system, and the Navigation package added two speakers. A Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system was available on the top-tier NX. The NX was compatible with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app, which allowed users to lock/unlock doors, start/stop the engine, and adjust climate control remotely. Lexus Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts and a 10-year subscription was included with purchase.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2020 calendar year, with the highest rating in every testing parameter. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it five-star ratings in every assessment except for rollover resistance, where it received a four-star rating. The CX-30 Turbo came with a full collection of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA). The TJA provided lane-centering assistance at speeds below 40 mph, and the CX-30 Turbo also had a mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard, with park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights as optional extras. The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, with "Superior" front crash-prevention technology and an "Acceptable" LATCH system ease of use rating. The NHTSA gave the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus backed new NX models with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.