2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was a striking vehicle, especially for those who appreciated black wheels. It featured exclusive shiny black 18-inch rollers, a shiny black grille, shiny black side mirror housings, and thick matte black body cladding. Mazda's design aimed to give the CX-30 Turbo a light and agile appearance, as if the body was floating over the wheels. This effect made the CX-30 look distinct from the Mazda3 hatchback, on which it was based, with a higher ground clearance both perceptually and in reality. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Mazda3’s, with quality materials, complementary tones and textures, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces, giving it an upscale vibe. The Premium Plus trim added a chrome accent around the engine start button and a standard frameless rearview mirror, with options for black and Griege leatherette upholstery or black or white leather in higher trims. Prices ranged from about $31,000 to $35,745 for a fully loaded model.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The AT4 was marketed as a "small off-road SUV" and included a steel skid plate to protect vital components. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. More affordable SLE and SLT trims were available, as well as the luxurious Terrain Denali. Despite the updates, the Terrain's entry-level status was evident in the quality of materials and execution of details. The head-up display projected data onto a clear plastic panel rather than the windshield, and the pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive, with the extra space on the center console used for a narrow storage tray.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane. Torque was impressive, measuring 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm or 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, with an average of 24.1 mpg during testing. The SUV's i-Activ AWD system and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology provided effortless acceleration and managed torque steer 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 compensated for any reduction in on-pavement performance. The torsion-beam rear suspension design was noticeable only in specific situations, and overall, the CX-30 Turbo was a rewarding drive, nearly matching luxury alternatives.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was discontinued, reducing the Terrain's towing capacity to 1,500 pounds. The 1.5-liter engine's torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD, AWD, Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control. The AT4's 7.9 inches of ground clearance was less than some competitors, and the sport-terrain tires lacked grip on curves. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but off-road performance was limited. The powertrain met fuel economy expectations, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg and an observed 26.2 mpg.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo was easy to get into and out of, with an exceptionally comfortable driver's seat featuring eight-way power adjustment. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard with Premium and Premium Plus trims. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the back seat was cramped for adults. Storage space was generous, but the location of the wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin was inconvenient. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 GMC Terrain's interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping. The back seat offered plenty of legroom and foot room, with rear USB charging ports. The Terrain had numerous storage solutions, including a small shelf in the dashboard and narrow shelves in the door panels. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated by physical controls on the center console and steering wheel, or voice commands. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the process of changing 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, and a trial period for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Premium and Premium Plus trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Active Driving Display projected useful data onto the windshield, including blind-spot information.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen with SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen with SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Tech Package included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting were also useful features.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The CX-30 Turbo came with a full suite of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system was also standard.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, with a "Marginal" rating in the new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of the review.