2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. The XC90 retained Volvo's recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille, but introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the brand.

Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural and unique touch. The Orrefors crystal shifter in the Inscription trim added a high-end feel, though it seemed slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior. The overall design focused on simplicity and elegance, avoiding the overwhelming flashiness seen in some other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a bold design with shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, side mirror housings, and thick matte black body cladding. This gave the CX-30 Turbo a distinctive, almost floating appearance. The CX-30 stood out from its Mazda3 hatchback sibling with a higher ground clearance and a more rugged look. The cabin mirrored the Mazda3's quality materials and upscale vibe, with chocolate brown surfaces and a chrome accent around the engine start button.

The CX-30 Turbo's interior was driver-focused, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked the same level of adjustability. The rear seats were cramped for adults, but rear-seat air conditioning vents added some comfort. Storage space was generous for a small SUV, though the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin was inconvenient. The CX-30 offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard all-wheel drive.

Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide the flexibility of larger engines found in competitors. The plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds and gentle acceleration, with the gasoline engine frequently kicking in. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds for most models, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane, and 310 to 320 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive system provided smooth and responsive acceleration. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, with a real-world average of 24.1 mpg.

Mazda's focus on driving dynamics was evident in the CX-30 Turbo's effortless acceleration and handling. The G-Vectoring Control Plus technology and i-Activ AWD system actively distributed power to the rear wheels, enhancing traction and stability. The CX-30 Turbo's off-road capabilities were bolstered by an Off-Road mode, which proved effective in challenging conditions. However, the added height and weight of the CX-30 compared to the Mazda3 resulted in slightly less agile handling.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows lacked support. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin.

Cargo space in the XC90 T8 Recharge was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. This was near the bottom of the segment. The hands-free power tailgate was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo provided exceptional comfort for the driver, with an eight-way power-adjustable seat and a driver-focused interior layout. Both front seats were heated, but ventilated seats were not available. The front passenger seat lacked the same level of adjustability as the driver’s seat. The cabin’s organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, despite the CX-30 being a small SUV.

Rear-seat accommodations were cramped for adults, but the soft and padded front seatbacks and rear-seat air conditioning vents added some comfort. Storage space was generous, but the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin was inconvenient. The CX-30 offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were standard. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) were available.

The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback for drivers with newer phones.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo’s 8.8-inch infotainment system display was not a touchscreen. Instead, it was operated using physical controls on the center console and steering wheel, or specific voice commands. The system required acclimation, and the voice control technology, while helpful, was not as intuitive as a natural voice recognition system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the process of changing radio stations was cumbersome.

The CX-30 Turbo included three free years of Mazda Connected Services, with remote engine starting and a vehicle finder function, and a separate trial period for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot service. Premium and Premium Plus trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Active Driving Display (HUD) in these trims provided useful data, including blind-spot information, projected onto the windshield.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, with an “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. Headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors received “Acceptable” ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating.

The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and responsive assistance, though it struggled with highway curves.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2020 calendar year, with the highest rating in every testing parameter. The NHTSA awarded it five-star ratings in every assessment except for rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The CX-30 Turbo came with a full suite of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA).

TJA provided lane-centering assistance at speeds below 40 mph, complementing the adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The CX-30 Turbo also featured a mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system, which contacted first responders following a collision.