2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 presented a sleek and polished appearance that stood apart from other SUVs in its segment. While many car manufacturers opted for elaborate, angular designs with pronounced lines, Mazda took a different path. The CX-5's smooth curves and fluid design language made it look agile even when stationary. It wasn’t ostentatious but rather carried the signature Mazda aesthetics with a stylish twist.

Across the various trim levels of the 2021 CX-5, exterior differences were minimal. The base Sport model was equipped with automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Touring model upped the ante with rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, additional rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights that adjusted with the direction of the steering.

The Touring model could be enhanced with the Touring Preferred SV Package, adding a 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory settings.

Then there was the Carbon Edition, which merged the features of the Touring and Touring Preferred SV Package but introduced distinctive elements like Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic wheels. Inside, it showcased red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim on the dashboard and door panels, with red stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The Grand Touring trim expanded on the Touring model by adding dual heated mirrors, 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels, LED taillights, fog lights, and daytime running lights. It also included a power liftgate, paddle shifters, a 7-inch digital gauge display, and SiriusXM, all taken from the Touring Preferred SV Package.

The Grand Touring Reserve added ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic folding door mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer. The top-tier Signature model, which was our test vehicle, brought a touch of luxury with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, a black headliner, and 19-inch silver wheels.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 was an embodiment of a downsized CX-5, designed on the same platform as the Mazda3. With its upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders, the CX-30 mirrored the elegant look of its bigger sibling. The vehicle featured a sharply raked windshield that allowed ample sunlight, giving the cabin a warm feel but sometimes distorting the road view for taller drivers.

Inside, the CX-30's cabin was both comfortable and very quiet. The material quality and the design stood out, with everything from the buttons to the door-closing mechanism feeling solid. The interior design beautifully blended conventional and digital displays. However, Mazda largely prioritized aesthetic appeal over functionality with this model.

Trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S base model to the top-tier Turbo Premium Plus. Each step up added more features and luxury, from the 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and standard AWD on the base model to the adaptive headlights, full leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate on the Premium trim. The Turbo Premium Plus model, which was our test vehicle, featured top-of-the-line driver-assistance features and luxury amenities.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with two potent engine choices, both capable of delivering a satisfying driving experience. The base Sport model was powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, no matter the octane rating of the fuel. It paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered the choice between FWD and AWD.

The Touring model retained the base engine, while buyers of the Carbon Edition could opt for a more robust 250-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering a significant 320 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel. This engine was also paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was available as an option.

Higher trims like the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature exclusively came with the turbo-four engine and standard AWD, offering a thrilling driving experience. The non-turbo FWD models had the most efficient fuel economy, achieving 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. Switching to AWD slightly reduced these figures, while the turbo models achieved around 23-25 mpg combined, which was decent but not superior to competitors offering hybrid options.

The CX-5’s strengths lay in its engaging driving dynamics and spirited performance, especially with the turbo engine. However, its stiff suspension, while providing a sportier feel, sometimes compromised ride comfort.

For the 2022 Mazda CX-30, the standard engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Our test model flaunted the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which offered 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, ramping up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. All models came with a six-speed automatic transmission routing power to all four wheels.

The turbocharged engine provided commendable acceleration and responsive handling, especially in Sport mode, which energized the throttle response and shift mapping. Additionally, the CX-30's steering precision and minimal body roll added to its sporty and refined drive, though it did result in a firmer ride over rough surfaces.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 excelled in combining style and functionality, although it fell short in certain practical areas. The seating in both rows was comfortable and typical for its class. However, rear legroom could be cramped, especially with taller front passengers. The rear seats included the standard set of LATCH connections, adequate but not the easiest to use.

The climate control system was straightforward and user-friendly, lacking the high-tech complexity seen in other models but performing reliably. One drawback was the larger center shifter, which took up significant space compared to the modern compact electronic shifters found in other models. The infotainment controls were positioned behind the shifter, making accessibility challenging for shorter drivers.

Cargo space was one of the CX-5's weaknesses. With the rear seats up, it provided 30.9 cubic feet of space, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down—figures that were subpar compared to rivals like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, which offered significantly more cargo capacity.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use—about average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate, enhancing convenience.

The CX-30's front seats came with a sliding center console cover, though it had a design flaw where it could get stuck under the seats when folded. However, the console itself provided ample storage for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. The rear seats had solid headroom but were more constrained compared to the CX-5, making them less ideal for long trips.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was decently sized. Nevertheless, the operating system fell short of expectations. The interface was generally uncluttered, but the layout and design were not in sync with modern standards, giving the cabin a somewhat dated feel. Users had to rely on a knob in the center console to navigate the system, which could prove cumbersome.

The lack of straightforward knobs for tuning the stereo or navigating presets was also a downside, though volume control could be accessed via the steering wheel or the central knob. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard was a relief, allowing users to bypass some of the system’s shortcomings by using their smartphones.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured a similarly sophisticated dashboard design, reminiscent of the luxury aesthetics of brands like BMW. The infotainment screen was integrated into the dash and lacked touch functionality, controlled instead by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. This setup was inspired by BMW’s early iDrive systems, which had been criticized for their usability issues.

Operating Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with the rotary dial was frustrating, especially when trying to navigate out of CarPlay. Meanwhile, switching between presets remained challenging even after becoming familiar with the system.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 packed an impressive array of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera.

Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition, although the latter sometimes struggled with accuracy.

These features contributed to the CX-5’s high safety ratings. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, and the NHTSA awarded it a five-star rating. Mazda backed each new CX-5 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 also offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, such as forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model included additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, and adaptive front headlights.

The vehicle also had a 360-degree parking camera that retained the front camera view while parking, a useful feature. Its head-up display offered clear, crisp graphics, readable even with polarized sunglasses. The CX-30 also had a system that prevented disengaging the electronic parking brake until the driver fastened their seatbelt—a potentially annoying feature for low-speed maneuvers.

The CX-30 also received top safety marks, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.