2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Riding on the same platform as the Mazda3, it was essentially 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. Trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more features and luxury elements, with the Turbo Premium Plus offering front-and-rear parking sensors and advanced driver assistance features.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lit up. While easily distinguishable as an EV, the ID.4 lacked the upright profile and ground clearance of traditional SUVs, which might have been a drawback for some buyers.

Based on VW’s MEB platform, the ID.4 shared a modular design with other VW models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and a feeling of quality. The base ID.4 Standard model, despite having a manual driver’s seat, did not feel like a downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fibers was standard for 2023, enhancing the eco-friendly appeal.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine in our test model 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 for a livelier drive.

The CX-30 featured a conventional shifter design, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and a manual tap-shift mode. The sporty, refined ride had well-weighted steering and quick, precise turn-in, with minimal body roll in cornering. However, the downside was a rough ride over potholes and bumpy roads, where nearly every crack and imperfection could be felt.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models with RWD, while the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack with options for RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models upped the output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt spritely during a short drive, though more seat time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery RWD version. The AWD ID.4 had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks but lacked the handling finesse, allowing too much body roll on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present but did not support one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for EV newcomers.

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 seats in use, which was average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had 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 for short-to-medium trips but lacked the rear-seat headroom of the larger CX-5.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, it was the most practical among affordable EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with a quoted capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models.

For 2023, VW improved the interior functionality with a conventional lid for the center console, a better spot for a phone, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

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, inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems like BMW’s iDrive, lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigating between presets and getting out of CarPlay was particularly frustrating, even after spending time learning the system.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster and natural-language voice recognition were also standard. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced conventional buttons, were distracting and lacked physical feedback. The ID.Light feature, which changed color based on drive mode and provided navigation cues, was clever but easily overlooked.

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. 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. The adaptive front headlights and 360-degree parking camera were particularly helpful. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023, received the IIHS’ highest Top Safety Pick+ rating. The ID.4 came with standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. For 2023, it added Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.