2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo exuded a distinctive personality, particularly if you admired the all-black aesthetic. It featured exclusive shiny black 18-inch wheels, a shiny black grille, shiny black side mirror housings, and matte black body cladding, resulting in a striking appearance. The extensive use of black elements gave the vehicle a unique flair, akin to a design spree with a black Sharpie marker until design sanity prevailed. Mazda claimed that the lower body cladding contributed to a light and agile appearance, making it seem like the body floated over the wheels. This effect gave an illusion of perpetual motion, as if the suspension was fully extended, cresting a sharp hill at speed, even when stationary. Whether you liked this effect or not, it differentiated the CX-30 from its sibling, the Mazda3 hatchback, on which it was based. The CX-30 sat higher, both in perception and reality, emphasizing its SUV credentials. Stepping into the CX-30 revealed its elevated stature as you slid in rather than dropped down into the driver's seat. The interior mirrored the Mazda3’s design, with high-quality materials, harmonious tones and textures, and beautifully stitched chocolate brown surfaces, endowing the cabin with an upscale ambiance. The changes were subtle, including a chrome accent around the engine start button and a frameless rearview mirror. Basic models featured black or Griege leatherette upholstery, while Premium and Premium Plus trims offered black or white leather. Prices ranged from approximately $31,000 to $35,000, with our fully equipped Snowflake White Pearl Mica test vehicle, featuring Premium Plus trim and black leather, priced at $35,745, including a $1,175 destination charge. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 received subtle yet impactful updates. New LED headlights and taillights provided more distinctive illumination, addressing a common issue of owners inadvertently driving without regular lights. Fresh bumpers, a revised grille, a redesigned rear liftgate, and new alloy wheel designs, albeit unimpressive, rounded off the exterior changes. The top-tier Signature trim now featured body-color lower exterior trim, emphasizing Mazda’s premium brand intentions. Stylistically, the CX-5's interior remained unchanged but continued to impress with its premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents in the Signature trim. The new, more comfortable seats significantly improved the overall driving experience. The seats were a notable upgrade, offering better coddling and support, and now included a height-adjustable front passenger seat, a rarity in this segment. Higher trims added dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Our test model, the 2.5 Turbo with Soul Red paint, a navigation system, rear bumper guard, and a package including roof rails and crossbars, totaled $39,445, including a $1,225 destination charge.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was built around a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive (AWD). The powertrain offered a robust 227 horsepower on regular fuel or up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. This combination meant the vehicle provided seamless acceleration, contributed by the 310 lb-ft of torque available at 2000 rpm. However, it wasn’t the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. Our test model averaged 24.1 mpg, allowing a driving range of just over 305 miles, courtesy of its 12.7-gallon fuel tank. Mazda engineers concentrated on driving g-force to enhance driver satisfaction more than achieving quick 0-60 mph times. As a result, the CX-30 Turbo felt effortlessly powerful and responsive in real-world driving situations, with minimal torque steer due to the refined G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC-Plus) technology and i-Activ AWD system. The vehicle handled all conditions well, including off-roading scenarios, thanks to its 8 inches of ground clearance and an Off-Road mode. However, the added height and weight somewhat compromised the driving dynamics compared to the Mazda3 Turbo. The stiffer front suspension to accommodate the added bulk couldn’t entirely offset the difference, resulting in slightly less enjoyable handling. Still, the CX-30’s overall performance was commendable, offering a premium driving experience slightly dampened by torsion-beam rear suspension under certain conditions. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This unit was paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, offering a balanced 26 mpg in combined driving. For more spirited drivers, the 2.5 Turbo variant offered 227 horsepower on regular gas, or an impressive 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. This powertrain also included the revised transmission and standard AWD, achieving 24 mpg in combined driving, though our testing loop yielded 21.1 mpg. The CX-5’s driving dynamics were significantly improved for 2022. Enhanced structural rigidity, reworked suspension tuning, and the new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings resulted in a quieter, smoother, yet still sporty ride. The vehicle exhibited minimal body roll, excellent grip, and a composed nature on challenging roads, fulfilling Mazda's promise of a premium driving experience. In essence, the CX-5 now drove like a Mazda should, inspiring confidence and offering a luxury SUV alternative.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo excelled in driver comfort. Eight-way power adjustment and long-distance support, combined with Mazda’s driver-centric design, made the driver’s seat an excellent place to spend time. The front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel came with Premium and Premium Plus trims. Ventilated seats were not offered, and the front passenger seat lacked the adjustment range of the driver’s seat, detracting slightly from its premium aspirations. The interior design, with its organic shapes and minimalist approach, created a spacious feeling, and high-quality materials added to the luxury vibe. However, the rear seats were cramped for adults, though rear air conditioning vents helped improve comfort. Storage was practical for a vehicle of this size, but the positioning of the wireless smartphone charger within the center console storage bin limited its usefulness. Cargo capacity was 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This capacity was nearly identical to the Mazda3 hatchback, slightly limiting for its class. Previous generations of the Mazda CX-5 had issues with seat comfort and cabin ergonomics. For 2022, Mazda addressed these concerns with all-new seats that provided better support and coddling, alongside a sportier driving position. The driving ergonomics were improved, and higher trims offered a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The available features included leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers in the CX-5 still faced snug accommodations, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents helped to enhance comfort. The control layout, especially the non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system, remained a frustration, requiring acclimation to the console controls. Cargo space in the CX-5 was competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs but less so among mainstream compact crossovers. It provided 30.9 cubic feet of luggage volume behind the rear seats and a maximum of 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via center console controls and the steering wheel, excluding a touchscreen interface. While this design aimed to minimize driver distraction, it necessitated acclimation due to its complexity and absence of natural voice recognition. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto facilitated smartphone integration, but switching between favorite radio stations was cumbersome. Higher trims included an enhanced technology package with a three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and an Active Driving Display. The latter projected essential driving data onto the windshield, aiding safe maneuvering by keeping crucial information within the driver’s line of sight. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained the Mazda Connect system but upgraded to a 10.25-inch display. Like the CX-30, it wasn’t touch-sensitive, emphasizing physical controls for safety. A lack of natural voice recognition continued to be a miss. Still, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a seamless connection to digital assistants. A three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services was standard, excluding WiFi, which was offered for three months or with a 2GB data cap. Starting with the 2.5 S Premium trim, a 10-speaker Bose audio system and SiriusXM were included.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo was highly rated for safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS for 2020 and top ratings in almost all NHTSA assessments, scoring lower only in rollover resistance with a four-star rating. It came with a comprehensive suite of i-ActiveSense ADAS, including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, and emergency notification. Mazda prioritized safety in the 2022 CX-5, equipping it with standard i-Activsense that included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and driver monitoring. The CX-5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, putting it among the safest vehicles in its class.