2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a distinctive design with shiny black 18-inch wheels, a black grille, black side mirror housings, and matte black body cladding. This gave the vehicle a unique, almost floating appearance, as if it were cresting a hill at speed. The CX-30's styling set it apart from the Mazda3 hatchback, on which it was based, with a higher ground clearance and a more SUV-like stance. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Mazda3's, offering quality materials, complementary tones, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces, creating an upscale vibe. Changes were minimal, with 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 higher trims. Prices ranged from about $31,000 to $35,745, including destination charges.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from VW's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it didn't look much like an SUV, it shared this trait with many other EV crossovers. The interior blended VW's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic surfaces. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models offered leatherette upholstery.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel's octane rating. Torque ranged from 310 to 320 pound-feet, providing effortless acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission, standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, and front suspension tuning were all optimized for performance. The CX-30 Turbo's EPA rating was 25 mpg in combined driving, with a real-world average of 24.1 mpg. The SUV's G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC-Plus) technology and i-Activ AWD system ensured smooth power distribution, enhancing driving satisfaction. However, the added height and weight made it less agile than the Mazda3, though its 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode compensated for this when driving off-road.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor, producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered increased power and traction. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, instead relying on friction brakes for a more familiar driving experience.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo offered exceptional comfort for the driver, with eight-way power adjustment and a driver-focused interior layout. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard in higher trims. However, ventilated seats were not available, and the front passenger seat lacked the same range of adjustment as the driver's seat. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the rear seat was cramped for adults. The CX-30 Turbo provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 45.2 cubic feet with them folded, slightly less than the Mazda3 hatchback.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than many EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk, prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious from the driver's seat, with good forward visibility but substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, though the console itself was narrow and lacked storage for larger items.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via physical controls and voice commands, though it was not a touchscreen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but navigating radio stations was cumbersome. The CX-30 Turbo came with three years of Mazda Connected Services, including remote engine starting and a vehicle finder function, with a separate trial for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Premium and Premium Plus trims also featured an Active Driving Display (head-up display) showing useful data, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4's standard infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch screen optional), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster. Haptic touchpads replaced most switchgear, which proved difficult to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system, responding to the prompt "Hello ID," though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver but was easily forgotten. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus, offering a choice between smartphone-like icons or a split-screen setup.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all but rollover resistance, where it received four stars. It came with a full suite 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, complementing the adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The CX-30 Turbo also featured a mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA for the RWD version. The standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New for 2021, Travel Assist added automated lane centering to the adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist brought the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.