2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was a striking vehicle, especially in its Black Onyx color. This model eradicated almost all chrome from the exterior, transforming the SUV into a rolling black hole. However, it took less than 24 hours for a layer of brown dust to coat the Lexus, making it look drab and old. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design remained reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin's quality was undeniable, featuring smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, with only the faint roar of the V8 engine making its way to occupants' ears.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus test vehicle boasted a long hood, dramatically drawn flanks, and a stubby rear end, giving it a nose-heavy appearance. The exterior's fake ruggedness evaporated upon opening the driver's door, revealing an upscale, elegant cabin loaded with quality materials. The interior featured a tasteful combination of off-white leather, a chocolate brown center console, and black for the dashboard, door panels, and carpeting. This design made the CX-30 look like an entry-level luxury SUV, justifying its premium pricing.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieve a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40% of the engine's power to the front wheels and 60% to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions. The GX's drag coefficient of 0.35, combined with its V8 engine and always-on 4WD system, resulted in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while alleviating excessive body motions, making the GX more stable and secure. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S models gained five horsepower for a total of 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the 2.5 Turbo produced 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The CX-30's 3,525-pound curb weight allowed for robust acceleration, though the powertrain could be caught flat-footed in heavy traffic. The CX-30 averaged 23.6 mpg on the evaluation drive, translating to less than 300 miles of range with its 12.7-gallon fuel tank. The suspension provided a compliant ride, and the G-Vectoring Control Plus technology made the CX-30 enjoyable on twisty roads. However, the front suspension struggled with speed bumps and humps, impacting the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear outward visibility. The GX's tall height, narrow width, and short length made it easy to maneuver in various situations, though the slow steering required extra effort. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, while the back seats were heated. However, entering the rear seat was tricky due to narrow door openings, and the third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 46.7 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 featured standard dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Turbos added a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat was comfortable, but the front passenger seat offered only four-way manual adjustment. Rear legroom was tight, though the seat cushion and seatback were comfortable. Storage space was reasonable, with a center armrest bin, glove compartment, and door panel bins. The CX-30's power liftgate revealed 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, accommodating two full-size suitcases. Folding the 60/40-split rear seats down provided a maximum of 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which was unimpressive for the segment.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also had a CD player, a smartwatch-compatible Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. However, the stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also included Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had three significant flaws: no touchscreen display, lack of conversational voice-recognition technology, and no tuning knob. The controls on the center console required quick looks down, and the silver steering-wheel controls were hard to see. The voice-recognition system had a 50% success rate, and the lack of a tuning knob made it difficult to dial through radio stations. Despite these shortcomings, the 8.8-inch display was beautifully integrated into the dashboard, with pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. The CX-30 featured Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. Turbos added SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and a 14-speaker Bose premium sound system. Wireless smartphone charging was an extra-cost accessory.

The 2022 Lexus GX lacked crash-test ratings due to its age but included standard Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, thanks to improved side-impact crash protection and standard rear side airbags. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The CX-30 also had a driver monitoring system, automatic high-beam headlights, and an E911 emergency notification system. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, an adaptive front lighting system, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus included a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and Traffic Jam Assist.