2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially acting as a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, potentially causing a tan on longer drives. However, the slight curve at eye level for taller drivers could distort the view of the road, which was distracting.

Inside, the CX-30's cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The interior design was one of the best among affordable cars, blending conventional and digital displays artfully. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, but its steep learning curve was a downside. The trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more features like alloy wheels, leather upholstery, and advanced driver assistance systems.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was described using terms like “modernist” and “reductive,” emphasizing clean and simple design. For those seeking attention, Land Rover offered limited flashy options like Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels. Our test vehicle arrived in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a subtle Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, it featured a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim.

Land Rover sold the Range Rover Sport in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications. Our SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a Cold Climate Pack, a Technology Pack, and a full-size spare tire, bringing the MSRP to $98,420. Highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights. The interior boasted luxurious Windsor leather upholstery and a high-tech appearance, with sustainable Ultrafabrics used in the cabin.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model had the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft 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, and the Sport mode enhanced throttle response and shift mapping.

The CX-30 had a sporty, refined ride with well-weighted steering and quick, precise turn-in. However, the downside was a rough ride over potholes and bumpy roads. The suspension performed decently on dirt and gravel roads but struggled on craggy paved roads.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The lower-priced SE P360 model had 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range.

Our test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with Land Rover claiming a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. The SUV drove all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The Range Rover Sport averaged 22.3 mpg on our evaluation route and 25.1 mpg on a drive from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture with a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness and a standard adaptive damping air suspension. It also had Dynamic driving mode, cornering brake control, brake-induced torque vectoring, and roll stability control. However, it struggled to match the driving dynamics of similarly priced, sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with 11.1 inches of ground clearance, impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a 35.4-inch wading depth. Standard tech included Terrain Response, All Terrain Progress Control (APC), and hill start and descent control systems.

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 rear seats in use, which was average for the subcompact SUV segment. Our Turbo Premium Plus model had a power rear liftgate, a helpful feature. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were 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 rear-seat headroom of the larger CX-5, making them less suitable for longer drives.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport preserved the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel behind the steering wheel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with adjustable inboard armrests. Our test vehicle had Windsor leather, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a massage feature. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for longer-legged passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings.

The back seat provided excellent thigh and lumbar support but had a slouched posture due to the seatback angle. Rear occupants had air conditioning vents, power ports, and heated outboard rear cushions. Storage space was decent, with a shallow tray under the center console and a deep but narrow bin under the center armrest. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Our test vehicle had a full-size spare under the cargo floor and a handy contraption to prevent smaller items from rolling around.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the center console and toggle buttons. The lack of touch functionality made it challenging to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was inspired by older versions of BMW’s iDrive, which had poor usability. Navigating between presets and getting out of Apple CarPlay was frustrating, even after spending time learning the system.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was confusing and frustrating to use, with features difficult to find and access. The native digital assistant struggled with simple tasks like finding a Starbucks, and the Alexa integration required logging into an Amazon account.

The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts of power, and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was tucked under the infotainment screen, but it was challenging to retrieve the device.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features like 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 test model included additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The adaptive front headlights and 360-degree parking camera were helpful, and the head-up display provided crisp graphics. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had advanced driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Wade Sensing was standard, and Remote Park Assist allowed the SUV to park itself using a smartphone app.

Our evaluation focused on the adaptive cruise control with steering assist, which was slow to respond and not as smooth as expected. The steering assist technology was dissatisfactory, especially on freeway curves with inconsistent lane lines. The Range Rover Sport’s steering assist performed poorly in such situations, requiring the driver to override the technology.