2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo dazzled with its striking black accents that encompassed shiny black 18-inch wheels, a glossy black grille, and elegant black side mirror housings. With a thick matte black body cladding, the model had an unmistakable and unique aesthetic. Mazda claimed that its innovative body cladding design created an agile look, giving the vehicle a floating appearance over the wheels, reminiscent of the CX-30 cresting a hill in motion. This unconventional style clearly set the CX-30 apart from its sibling, the Mazda3 hatchback, elevating it both perceptually and literally, as the higher ground clearance confirmed.

Opening the door to the CX-30 revealed an elevated seating position that provided ease of entry and a feeling of spaciousness despite the vehicle’s compact size. Inside, the cabin mirrored the refined ambiance of the Mazda3, showcasing quality materials, rich textures, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces that exuded luxury. The enhancements to the interior were subtle but thoughtful, including a chrome accent around the engine start button and a frameless rearview mirror. The standard upholstery choices included black and Griege leatherette, with black or white leather options in Premium and Premium Plus trims.

For the polished experience, our Snowflake White Pearl Mica test vehicle with Premium Plus trim, black leather interiors, and a rear bumper guard was on the higher end of the price spectrum, retailing at $35,745, including the destination fee.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 had a completely different approach, clearly separating itself from its predecessor, the Ioniq. The Ioniq 5 was a fresh start rather than a reboot, embodying a clean, minimalistic exterior design highlighted by the Parametric Pixel theme that pervaded its lighting elements. This 8-bit nostalgic design featured across all the vehicle's lighting, from the headlights to the taillights, creating a concept-like yet practical production vehicle. The myriad of pixelated lights gave the Ioniq 5 a fascinating digital aura that could drive some design purists bananas, but nevertheless, it stood out in a crowd.

The Ioniq 5 also featured aerodynamic wheels and Max Headroom-inspired silver-contrast plastic inserts, balancing aesthetics and functionality. Inside, the cabin offered a serene environment with color choices such as black, gray, and dark green hues. Hyundai aptly named this design theme "Living Space," and it felt like a comfortable, relaxing area. The cabin was accentuated with a "Relaxation" mode that provided a zero-gravity reclining driver’s seat, enhancing the comfort quotient during stops. Sustainable materials were generously used throughout, with recycled fibers and bio-materials like bean oil and sugar cane, demonstrating Hyundai’s commitment to eco-friendly craftsmanship.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering between 227 and 250 horsepower, depending on the octane rating of the fuel used. Regular fuel provided 227 hp, while premium boosted it to 250 hp. Despite the variation in horsepower, the torque remained robust: 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm or 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. This ensured consistent acceleration at lower speeds. However, fuel efficiency was not its strongest suit, averaging 24.1 mpg during our tests, which translated to frequent fuel stops.

Mazda's engineering drew attention to acceleration g-force, tailoring the CX-30 Turbo to provide a comfortable yet responsive driving experience. The vehicle’s performance felt seamless, though hints of torque steer were apparent during hard acceleration. The AWD system intelligently distributed power to enhance traction, complemented by the GVC-Plus technology, making driving dynamic and satisfying.

On dirt paths and off-road conditions, the CX-30 Turbo's extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode supported decent handling, although it was not a hardcore off-roader. The torsion-beam rear suspension design occasionally became noticeable during certain maneuvers but did not significantly detract from overall driving pleasure.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered multiple powertrain configurations. Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, the base SE Standard Range had a single 128-kW motor providing 168 hp and 220 miles of range. The extended-range models increased the power with a 168-kW motor delivering 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque for a 303-mile range. The dual-motor AWD versions upped the ante with 320 hp and an impressive 446 lb-ft of torque, although the range dropped slightly to 256 miles.

Despite its focus on range and efficiency, the Ioniq 5 wasn't aimed at driving enthusiasts. It handled canyon roads and highways with controlled composure, offering driving modes including a Sport mode for a spirited experience. However, spirited driving quickly sapped battery life. Paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking added an interactive element, and the single-speed transmission ensured a smooth, uninterrupted power flow.

Noise, vibration, and harshness were minimized within the Ioniq 5, thanks to acoustic tires, sound-deadening materials, and aerodynamic wheels. The vehicle maintained a quiet cabin ambiance even at higher speeds.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo provided a comfortable driver’s seat with eight-way power adjustment and heated front seats, enhancing long-distance travel comfort. However, the front passenger seat lacked similar adjustability, and neither seat offered ventilation. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalistic design gave an impression of spaciousness, though rear-seat space was tight for adults on longer journeys. Storage options included a critical flaw: the center console’s dual-purpose as a storage bin or a wireless phone charger, but not both simultaneously.

Cargo capacity for the CX-30 was somewhat limited, with 20.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it less practical compared to some rivals.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), enhancing both interior space and utility. Despite its hatchback-like appearance, the Ioniq 5's 118.1-inch wheelbase exceeded that of Hyundai's larger Palisade SUV. The vehicle offered ample space for passengers, with a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, including 106.5 cubic feet of passenger space. Rear cargo volume was 27.2 cubic feet, expandable with a configurable and highly functional interior.

The Ioniq 5's cabin had a retro-modern design with movable center consoles and large storage areas, focusing on a comfortable "Living Space" that allowed passengers to relax and move easily.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment system controlled through center console knobs and voice commands—nonetheless, it lacked a touchscreen interface, making operation less intuitive. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three years of Mazda Connected Services, and a six-month trial for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a superb 12-speaker Bose audio system and a useful head-up display.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was packed with advanced tech, including a high-voltage system for ultra-fast charging and vehicle-to-load capabilities, enabling it to charge other devices. The Ioniq 5 also supported 800-volt infrastructure, a world-first, which reduced charge times significantly. Real-world tests demonstrated a full charge in under an hour at fast-charging stations.

Multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link app for EV management, digital key functionality, and artificial intelligence-powered voice recognition. Twin 12.3-inch screens, with an anti-glare finish, provided an elegant and clear display for both instrument cluster and infotainment.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo impressed with its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and high marks from the NHTSA, earning five stars in most categories except for a four-star rollover rating. It came equipped with comprehensive i-ActiveSense safety features, including adaptive front lighting, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist.

In parallel, the Hyundai Ioniq 5's safety suite, Hyundai SmartSense, included a vast array of ADAS features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and collision avoidance. Additionally, Hyundai’s Highway Drive Assist I offered a semi-autonomous driving experience, adapting to driver habits through machine learning. A head-up display with augmented reality provided additional driving information, though it could be distracting.