2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

For 2021, the exterior of the Nissan Kicks underwent substantial upgrades. Its front end now sported a bolder design, resonating with the looks of the 2021 Nissan Armada, the Nissan Ariya, and the 2021 Nissan Rogue. The snubbed nose, featuring a deep V-motion grille with a double V-motion attribute, blended chrome with piano black elements. Thinner, elongated headlights adorned the front face, extending down the subcompact's profile. The Kicks SR trim level boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights.

The rear of the Kicks featured a new bumper, back door finisher, and LED tail lights, giving it an enhanced sense of proportion and a somewhat Nissan Leaf-like posture. However, the piece covering the trunk release, rearview camera, and license plate lights seemed like an afterthought, detracting from the otherwise thoughtful design.

New paint options included Electric Blue Metallic, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and Boulder Gray Pearl, while previous colors like Gun Metallic and Super Black remained. The two-tone paint job continued to offer an upmarket look with a floating roof in Super Black, except for a few body colors.

Interior styling received minor visual improvements but significant upgrades in material quality. Influences from the 2020 Nissan Sentra meant materials were comparable to those in a BMW X1, with new seating designs and a full center console armrest added to the SV and SR trims. The SR Premium Package came with Prima-Tex-appointed seats adorned with three-tone design and stitching.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 drew a direct visual connection to the CX-5 with a similar upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. The CX-30, sitting on the Mazda3’s platform, had a pronounced rake to its windshield, creating a greenhouse effect inside. This windshield's curvature posed a slight distraction for taller drivers by distorting the road view.

Mazda's interior craftsmanship shone through, with a focus on comfort and minimal noise. Solid tactile feedback from buttons and doors added to a sense of quality. The instrument cluster merged conventional and digital displays artfully, while the infotainment screen seemed to rise organically from the smooth dashboard. However, it compromised function for form, resulting in a long learning curve for users.

Trim levels for the CX-30 ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus. The base 2.5 S included standard features like AWD, 16-inch alloy wheels, and various tech amenities. Upgrading through the trims brought in luxury features such as leather steering wheels, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Turbo Premium Plus featured further enhancements like adaptive headlights and front-and-rear parking sensors.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a single powertrain—a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, similar to the Nissan Versa. This engine was paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and front-wheel drive only, as all-wheel drive was unavailable. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks made up for it with a good power-to-weight ratio.

The Kicks' suspension and electric power-assisted steering provided nimble handling on various terrains, from highways to city streets. The SUV's compact size made parking and maneuvering easy. However, the CVT could get noisy under heavy acceleration or uphill driving.

The Kicks rides on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels for the SV and SR trims, with an option to upgrade to black alloy wheels. Standard features included a traction control system, stability control, and hill start assist. The Kicks also offered an auto-hold feature for easier stop-and-go driving.

Fuel economy was outstanding, rated by the EPA at 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and a combined rating of 33 mpg, giving the Kicks a 356-mile range on a single tank.

The base 2022 Mazda CX-30 engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. An upgraded turbo engine was available, providing 227 hp on 87 octane and reaching 250 hp with 93 octane fuel, alongside producing impressive torque figures of 310 lb-ft and 320 lb-ft, respectively.

Equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, the CX-30 was very lively, especially in Sport mode. The conventional shifter included steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and the manual mode replicated a racecar-like shifting pattern—back to upshift and forward to downshift.

The CX-30's ride quality was sporty and refined with minimal body roll, though it could be rough on potholes and uneven roads due to its responsive suspension. This suspension performed decently on dirt and gravel but conveyed nearly every imperfection on paved roads.

Inside, the Kicks was designed for optimal functionality with easily reachable controls and good small-item storage. It came with accessible USB ports and various storage solutions, including a tonneau cover.

The seats in the Kicks were adjustable, providing good ergonomics, though larger drivers might find them a bit compartmentalized. Notably, the front seat legroom was best in class, and adults could sit comfortably in the rear seats. An electronic parking brake freed up center console space, enhancing the cabin's practicality.

The CX-30 offered up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, or 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use, which was about average for a subcompact SUV. A power rear liftgate added convenience. The sliding center console cover had a design flaw that caused it to get stuck under the seats when folded.

Both front and rear seat areas provided good storage solutions with spacious door pockets for large water bottles. However, the rear seats, while comfortable, might feel cramped on longer trips due to limited headroom compared to the larger CX-5.

The Kicks came with an array of modern technologies that were competitive in its category. Standard features on the base Kicks S included a 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims like the Kicks SV added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and additional tech.

The standout tech feature was the Bose Personal Plus sound system in the Kicks SR Premium Package, offering immersive 360-degree sound with UltraNearfield speakers in the headrests. A surround-view monitor was available, making parking easier with a 360-degree exterior view.

Mazda's elegant dash design featured an inflexible infotainment system. The non-touchscreen was controlled by a rotary dial and buttons, similar to older BMW iDrive systems, which proved cumbersome, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The infotainment system’s complexity remained a pain-point even after setup, affecting usability significantly. Despite the elegant appearance, the user experience was undermined by its unintuitive operation, making it frustrating even for tech-savvy users.

The 2021 Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Ten airbags were standard across all trims, ensuring occupant protection.

The 2020 model’s safety ratings from IIHS were positive, with Good marks in crashworthiness. The 2021 model's new headlights likely improved its ratings further.

The 2022 CX-30 included a comprehensive set of driver-assistance features, such as forward collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and adaptive headlights.

The CX-30 received top safety scores from both NHTSA and IIHS, delivering five-star ratings and the Top Safety Pick+ award. Its advanced safety features and excellent crash test results underscored its reliability.