2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 presented a more understated appearance compared to its flashier competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Mercedes avoided the gaudy grilles seen on the BMW X7 and Lexus LX, opting for a more refined look. The AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions, however, offered more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches, muscular grilles, and chrome accents. Inside, the GLS 450's interior, though basic by GLS standards, still exuded luxury with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were seamlessly integrated, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 resembled a downsized CX-5 with its upright grille and smooth fenders. Built on the Mazda3 platform, it felt like a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The raked windshield, while stylish, acted like a greenhouse on sunny days and distorted the view for taller drivers. Inside, the CX-30's cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a blend of conventional and digital displays. The infotainment screen, though elegantly integrated into the dash, lacked touch functionality, making it less user-friendly. The various trim levels offered a range of features, from basic amenities in the 2.5 S to luxurious additions in the Turbo Premium Plus.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This setup produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft available from the electric motor in short bursts. The GLS 450's engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was well-integrated. However, the air suspension, while capable of adjusting ride height, lacked the refinement expected in a luxury SUV, leading to excessive body motion over bumps. The GLS 450 had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured 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. The six-speed automatic transmission routed power to all four wheels. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30's sporty ride was complemented by well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it resulted in a rough ride over potholes and uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the bench with captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, and the bench seat could slide as one piece, increasing legroom by 3.4 inches. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier loading, but the touchscreen was difficult to reach, and some ergonomic issues were noted.

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. The Turbo Premium Plus model included a power rear liftgate. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. Despite this design flaw, the center console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided adequate headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the spaciousness of larger models like the CX-5.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, SiriusXM, and natural-language voice recognition. The 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a head-up display optional. The voice recognition system was user-friendly, but the touchpad controller was overly sensitive. The touchscreen and instrument cluster had good graphics, but the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was elegantly integrated into the dash but lacked touch functionality, controlled instead by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup, inspired by older versions of BMW’s iDrive, was not user-friendly. Navigating out of Apple CarPlay was cumbersome, and the rotary dial made using CarPlay and Android Auto frustrating. Even after setting up presets, the system remained difficult to use, posing a challenge for anyone unfamiliar with it.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view camera, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, second-row side airbags, and advanced driver-assistance systems like Active Steering Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. Crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 included standard driver-assistance features such as 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, parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, adaptive front headlights, and a 360-degree parking camera. The CX-30 earned five stars from NHTSA and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, with top marks in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its driver-assistance technology.