2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that offered practicality and style, making it a popular choice for families. Its design featured sliding side doors, which were particularly useful in tight parking spaces, allowing easy access to the rear seats. The Odyssey's third-row seating was comfortable, providing ample space for passengers, and the cargo area was generous, accommodating a variety of needs. The Elite trim level added a touch of sophistication with dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and leather upholstery, enhancing the overall quality and finish of the interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a more compact and artful design, characterized by its long hood and sleek lines. Despite its stylish appearance, the excessive gray body cladding detracted from its overall aesthetic. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, including leather upholstery in higher trims. The interior design was elegant, with a tasteful combination of colors and polished metal accents, giving it the feel of an entry-level luxury SUV. However, the lack of legroom in the rear seats was a notable drawback.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Odyssey offered a decent fuel economy of 22 mpg in combined driving. The minivan was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration, although its brakes tended to overheat on steep descents, leading to pedal vibration.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version producing up to 250 horsepower with premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The CX-30's turbocharged engine provided robust acceleration and a satisfying driving experience, especially on twisty roads. However, the small fuel tank limited its range, and the suspension struggled with speed bumps, affecting ride comfort.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. Its low step-in height and wide-opening doors made entry easy, while the Magic Slide second-row seats offered flexibility for passenger and cargo arrangements. The third-row seats were comfortable for adults, and the cargo area provided 32.8 cubic feet of space, expandable to 144.9 cubic feet with the seats removed. The Odyssey's interior was well-equipped with storage solutions and features like a built-in vacuum cleaner.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30, while stylish, fell short in terms of interior space. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats lacked legroom. The cargo area offered 20.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage options were reasonable, but the lack of underfloor storage and nooks was a drawback. The CX-30's interior featured quality materials and a refined design, but its practicality was limited compared to the Odyssey.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, its infotainment system was becoming outdated, lacking modern features and a larger screen. The Odyssey offered CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies for rear-seat monitoring and communication. The rear-seat entertainment system was basic, with a single 10.2-inch display and limited media options.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had several flaws, including the lack of a touchscreen display and conversational voice recognition. The controls required frequent glances away from the road, and the voice-recognition system was not user-friendly. Despite these shortcomings, the system featured an 8.8-inch display with pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. The CX-30 offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, with higher trims adding a Bose premium sound system and navigation.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was well-equipped with safety features, including Honda Sensing, which offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false 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 2023 Mazda CX-30 prioritized safety, earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It featured adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The CX-30 also included a driver monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display. The safety systems generally worked well, although the forward-collision warning system could be overly sensitive in certain situations.