2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent a subtle evolution rather than a complete redesign. Its front and side profiles remained largely unchanged from the previous generation, characterized by a broad, rounded face and expansive, unadorned sheet metal. A notable update was the vertical accent strip under the mirrors, replacing the old L-shaped trim. The 2022 model year was a transitional period, with the previous generation sold alongside the new version. The most significant change was at the rear, where the Range Rover replaced its square taillights with sleek LED strips integrated into a darker trim. The SUV maintained its imposing presence, emphasizing its size rather than concealing it with sharp creases. The long-wheelbase version further accentuated this, adding eight inches to the overall length.

Inside, the Range Rover's cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and knobs, yet retained its familiar design. A larger, tablet-like touchscreen replaced the previous dashboard-integrated display, lending a modern touch. The air vents were less prominent, blending seamlessly into the trim. The interior boasted excellent materials quality, with premium leather and rich wood trim elements. The cabin exuded a luxurious aroma reminiscent of high-end leather goods. The Range Rover's solid construction was evident, with no creaks even on rough roads. It offered a refined interior that surpassed competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and Cadillac Escalade, rivaling more expensive Maybach and Bentley alternatives.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 resembled a downsized CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Built on the same platform as the Mazda3, it was essentially a raised version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, potentially causing forearms to tan during long drives. Taller drivers might have found the slight curve at eye level distracting. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. It boasted one of the best interior designs among affordable cars, with an artful blend of conventional and digital displays. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, though its attractive design came with a steep learning curve.

The CX-30 offered various trim levels, including the 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium, Turbo, Turbo Premium, and Turbo Premium Plus. The 2.5 S featured 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and an eight-speaker stereo with Mazda Harmonics Acoustics. It also included two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, HD radio, and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen operated via a center console dial. The 2.5 S Select added 18-inch alloy wheels, turn signals integrated into side mirrors, tinted windows, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The 2.5 S Preferred built on this with a power sunroof and heated front seats. The 2.5 S Premium added a power rear liftgate, full leather upholstery, and adaptive headlights. The Turbo Preferred and Turbo Premium trims mirrored their 2.5 S counterparts, with the Turbo Premium Plus adding front-and-rear parking sensors and additional driver assistance features.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains. The base P400 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid component, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The P530 upgrade boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD). The P400 powertrain provided effortless acceleration, with Land Rover estimating a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, impressive for an SUV weighing nearly 6,000 pounds. Gear shifts were smooth, offering a seamless power delivery. The V6's acceleration was adequate for most drivers, though passing slower traffic required deliberate pedal action.

Despite its size, the Range Rover was surprisingly agile, with well-managed body roll enhancing confidence on winding roads. It delivered a calm and composed driving experience, though not sporty. The Range Rover was easy to maneuver, thanks to standard rear-wheel steering, allowing for sharp turns in tight spaces. It remained a capable off-road vehicle, with Land Rover's Terrain Response system optimizing traction. The Range Rover achieved this without the drawbacks of truck-based rivals, offering a smooth ride and a quiet cabin.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rated at 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, with a Sport button altering throttle response and shift mapping. In Sport mode, the CX-30 was lively, with active downshifting when braking onto highway offramps.

The CX-30 featured a conventional shifter design, with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a manual tap-shift mode. The manual mode pattern was similar to race cars, with "back" to upshift and "forward" to downshift. The CX-30 offered a sporty, refined ride, with well-weighted steering and quick, precise turn-in. There was little-to-no body roll in cornering, though the ride was rough over potholes. The suspension handled dirt and gravel roads well, but craggy paved roads were a challenge.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered ample space in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Outward visibility was excellent, aiding both wilderness exploration and urban navigation. Front passengers enjoyed dual sun visors, while second-row occupants had power sunshades. The front seats were generously cushioned, with available massage functions offering various seatback massage options. The highest setting provided an intense shiatsu treatment.

The Range Rover's interior offered plenty of storage, with two glove boxes, a rubberized phone tray with a wireless charging pad, well-sized cupholders, and a large center console bin and door pockets. The second row provided ample space for taller passengers, with power recline and sliding adjustments. Rear climate controls, sunshades, lighting, USB-C charge ports, and a household power outlet were available. An optional rear-seat entertainment system was also offered.

The optional third row was accessible with a button, though headroom was limited for adults. Smaller passengers had adequate legroom and footroom, with two USB-C charge ports available. Cargo space behind the third row was 17.1 cubic feet, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded. Maximum cargo capacity was 93 cubic feet. The split tailgate featured a smaller bottom section, preventing items from rolling out on inclines and serving as a convenient loading shelf. Buttons lowered the air suspension's height for easier loading.

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. These figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment. Our Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, though it could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. The center console offered ample space for personal items, with deep front door pockets for large water bottles.

Rear seats provided solid headroom, suitable for adults on short-to-medium trips. However, they lacked the headroom of the larger CX-5, making longer drives potentially uncomfortable.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a larger 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro infotainment system. It offered sharper graphics, quicker responses, and a premium aesthetic. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complementing the wireless charging pad. The screen's placement could have been higher to reduce distraction, but basic climate controls were smartly designed for ease of use. The base Meridian audio system delivered impressive power and clarity, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade available. Other tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote control via a smartphone app.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's dash design was elegant, with the infotainment screen nestled into the dash. The screen lacked touch functionality, controlled instead by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup was inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive, though it lacked usability. Navigating Apple CarPlay was cumbersome, with the "Home" button taking users to the CarPlay home screen instead of the Mazda home screen. CarPlay and Android Auto were designed for touchscreens, making the rotary dial frustrating. While getting into CarPlay was easy, navigating presets remained challenging.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover had not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which was typical for premium luxury SUVs. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. These features performed well, with the surround-view cameras proving especially helpful off-road. While adequately equipped, some rivals offered additional features like advanced high beams and emergency stop functions.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. Our Turbo Premium Plus model included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. Adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera were also featured. The head-up display provided crisp graphics, readable with polarized lenses. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top marks in crash tests and driver-assistance technology.