2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that we often recommended to families due to its practical features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child safety seats, even in tight parking spaces. The third-row seat was comfortable enough for adults, making it ideal for family visits or carpools. Additionally, the Odyssey offered substantial cargo space, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded down and the second-row seats were removed. Despite its practical design, the Odyssey had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially serving as a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30 featured a raked windshield that acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, which could be distracting for taller drivers due to its slight curve. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a blend of conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system had a steep learning curve, prioritizing form over function.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was a front-wheel-drive minivan with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some of its competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. Its EPA fuel economy estimate was 22 mpg in combined driving. During our test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. While the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, its brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which altered throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30 had well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, but its sporty ride resulted in a rough experience over potholes and bumpy roads.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height compared to most SUVs. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable and versatile, with the Magic Slide feature allowing for various configurations. The third-row seat was also comfortable for adults, and the cargo space behind it was 32.8 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo space to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 20.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. These figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model came with a power rear liftgate. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the rear seats when folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats offered solid headroom but lacked the spaciousness of larger models like the CX-5.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, but its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim, it included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies were available on Touring and Elite trims, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system had a single 10.2-inch display, but it was behind the times. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. Overall, the Odyssey's infotainment system needed a major upgrade.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup was inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive but lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to use. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was frustrating. Despite its elegant design, the system's usability was poor, and even after learning it, switching between presets remained a hassle.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-assistance features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, sometimes issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was loaded with standard 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 added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. It also had adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.