2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 encapsulated the sense of a condensed CX-5 with its upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Riding on the same platform as the Mazda3, it felt like a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. With an incredibly raked windshield, the CX-30 had its unique points; on sunny days, it acted like a greenhouse, enough to catch a tan on your forearms during longer drives. However, this windshield had a slight curve close to eye-level for taller drivers, which could distort the view and potentially distract.

Inside, the CX-30's cabin was both comfortable and quiet, featuring high-quality materials that felt solid and durable. The dashboard was elegant, blending conventional and digital displays seamlessly, but its infotainment system, although striking, had a steep learning curve. Trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more sophisticated features—from premium wheels and roof rails to adaptive headlights and advanced driver assistance systems.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC40, while a few years into its model cycle, retained a distinctive flat-roofed and SUV-like profile. Its clean exterior with minimal detailing echoed Volvo’s design ethos. Updated for 2023, the XC40 featured pixelated “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a slightly more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. Models with gasoline engines had hidden tailpipes, aligning with Volvo’s pro-electrification stance.

The XC40 shared the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform with other Volvo and Polestar models, standing as the sole CMA-based combustion engine model in the U.S. Its interior, minimalist and modern, featured attractive thin air vents and scalloped door handles. The Ultimate trim also added luxurious touches like a panoramic moonroof and Orrefors crystal shift knob but maintained an all-black interior that, while sleek, felt somewhat utilitarian.

For the 2022 Mazda CX-30, the base powertrain was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. A test model featured the heftier 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel, and 250 hp with 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. Both engines routed power through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, and Sport mode added liveliness with more responsive throttle and shift mapping.

Mazda’s CX-30 embraced a sporty and refined ride with precise, well-weighted steering and quick, sharp turn-in, although it rode rougher over potholes and harsher road surfaces. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a manual tap-shift mode on the center shifter emphasized the vehicle’s sporty intentions.

Conversely, the 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains. The 48-volt electrical system, combined with a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator, supported the gasoline engine, improving fuel economy and smoothing power delivery. There were two versions: the B4 powertrain, yielding 197 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, and the B5 powertrain with 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both setups paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with B4 being FWD and B5 being AWD.

The B5 model reached 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, offering reasonable quickness while the electric assist and turbo boost ensured consistent power availability. It showcased composure in corners and absorbed bumps adeptly, balancing between refinement and practicality. The XC40 Recharge added electric motors for a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds with a towing capacity that exceeded the gasoline counterpart.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a cargo capacity of up to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with them in place. This cargo space was average for its segment. Features like the power rear liftgate made accessing the cargo area more convenient. The front seats’ sliding center console cover, however, showed a flaw where it could get stuck under the seat when rear seats were folded. Rear seats provided adequate headroom for short to medium trips but were less spacious than larger models like the CX-5.

In the 2023 Volvo XC40, practicality was mixed. While it might not be ideal for extensive carpooling, it offered reasonable space within its competitive set. It tied for the most rear-seat headroom among its competitors and provided comfortable front-seat headroom. Legroom was about average, but shoulder room was generous. Cargo space measured 20 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded, slightly less than what the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 offered. The scalloped door panels creatively added flexibility for storage, accommodating items like bottles or handbags, and the central console storage bins were sizable.

Mazda's 2022 CX-30 had a distinct elegant dash design with the infotainment screen embedded into it, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons in the center console. This setup was inspired by older luxury infotainment systems like BMW’s iDrive, which initially suffered from usability issues. Mazda’s system, unfortunately, shared those older flaws, particularly evident when navigating Apple CarPlay. Despite its higher premium aspirations, the CX-30’s infotainment could be maddeningly complex for both new users and infrequent drivers.

In the 2023 Volvo XC40, the transition to an Android-based infotainment system meant Google apps were integrated, including Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant for voice recognition. The XC40’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen maintained Volvo’s portrait orientation. The Ultimate trim featured a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and ample USB-C ports. However, for Apple users, the Google-centric system could feel less satisfying.

Volvo’s minimalist design did away with many analog controls, relying heavily on the touchscreen for functions like heating and driver-assist selections, which some users might find less intuitive than physical buttons.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came well-equipped with standard safety features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus trim added features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. In tests, it earned top ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS, achieving five stars overall from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.

Volvo’s 2023 XC40 also emphasized safety, reflecting the brand’s reputation. Standard features included lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Higher trims added front and side parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist, a partially autonomous driving aid. While it scored highly in most IIHS crash tests, the updated side-impact test saw it drop to an "Acceptable" rating. NHTSA awarded the gasoline XC40 five stars overall but had not rated the XC40 Recharge at the time of writing.