2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a testament to luxury and style, drawing clear design parallels with its sedan counterpart, the G70. Its exterior featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, suggesting a coupe-like SUV without compromising versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a showcase of luxury, with top-notch materials and a design that was both contemporary and classic. The climate controls were seamlessly integrated into a curving bezel, and the touchscreen rose organically from the dash, offering a user-friendly interface backed by a rotary dial and button controls.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a more artful yet rugged exterior design, characterized by a long hood and dramatic flanks. However, its appeal was somewhat marred by excessive gray body cladding. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, especially in the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim, which featured off-white leather and a chocolate brown center console. Despite its premium pricing, the CX-30's interior exuded an entry-level luxury feel, though it lacked the same level of refinement found in the GV70.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, providing a balanced blend of power and handling. The GV70 Electrified variant featured a 77.4-kWh battery powering two electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. Despite its shorter range of 236 miles, the GV70 Electrified offered a refined driving experience with quick acceleration and smooth handling.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, came with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with improved fuel economy of 29 mpg combined. The 2.5 Turbo variant offered a turbocharged engine capable of 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. Both engines were mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. The CX-30 excelled in handling, especially on twisty roads, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus technology, though it struggled with power delivery in heavy traffic and had a small fuel tank limiting its range.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with them in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including large cupholders and a center console tray. While front-seat comfort was commendable, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring adjustments for taller passengers.

In comparison, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered less cargo space, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with them folded. The interior was comfortable for the driver, but the front passenger seat lacked adjustability. Rear legroom was tight, though the seatbacks were padded for comfort. Storage options were reasonable, with various bins and compartments throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interface was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menus, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls. The GV70 also offered four USB ports, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system, with additional features like ambient lighting and a digital key available.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system lacked a touchscreen, relying instead on center console controls that required frequent glances away from the road. The system also lacked conversational voice recognition, making it less intuitive to use. Despite these shortcomings, the CX-30 offered Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, with Turbos adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5T's Advance Package and the 3.5T's Sport Advance package added additional safety features like a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.

Safety was a highlight for the 2023 Mazda CX-30, which received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera. The CX-30's safety systems generally performed well, though the forward-collision warning system was overly sensitive in some situations.