2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. This model showcased a purposeful yet understated aesthetic, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. The signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The XC90's rectilinear shape was complemented by 21-inch wheels and a sophisticated Platinum Gray paint with subtle brown undertones. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal speaker covers, crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design was enhanced by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and refined atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 boasted a more dynamic and artful design, albeit with some polarizing elements. Its long hood and dramatic flanks gave it a nose-heavy appearance, accentuated by excessive gray body cladding. The 2.5 Turbo model's black wheels blended into the dark lower body, diminishing their visual impact. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, including leather upholstery and polished metal accents. The test model featured a tasteful combination of off-white leather and chocolate brown elements, creating an entry-level luxury feel. Despite its elegant interior, the CX-30's design was marred by its rugged exterior cladding, which seemed at odds with its otherwise refined appearance.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. These engines incorporated mild-hybrid technology, offering improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The B5 engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 engine, featured in the test car, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite the mild-hybrid setup, the XC90's driving experience remained enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's large wheels and thin tires contributed to its stability through corners, while road and wind noise were effectively minimized. The XC90's brakes provided a confident pedal feel, enhancing the overall driving experience. Although lacking in customizable driving dynamics, the XC90's simplicity appealed to those seeking a straightforward driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options: the 2.5 S with 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and the 2.5 Turbo with up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-30's performance was characterized by robust acceleration and a satisfying engine sound, particularly in the Turbo model. However, the powertrain occasionally felt flat-footed in heavy traffic, necessitating a switch to Sport mode for improved responsiveness. The CX-30's suspension provided a compliant ride, but its small fuel tank limited its range. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, offering an engaging driving experience with its G-Vectoring Control Plus technology and excellent steering. On highways, the CX-30 was quiet and refined, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was a study in Scandinavian minimalism, offering a peaceful and pleasant environment. However, this design approach led to some space and storage limitations. The XC90 lacked dedicated storage for small items, such as cell phones, and the USB port was inconveniently located in the small center console bin. While the second row was comfortable and spacious, accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Despite its smaller size compared to typical three-row SUVs, the XC90's driving dynamics made it feel more agile.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 provided a comfortable driving experience, with standard dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat offered only four-way manual adjustment. Rear passengers faced tight legroom, though the seatbacks were padded for added comfort. Storage space was reasonable, with a center armrest bin, glove compartment, and door panel bins. The CX-30's cargo area offered 20.2 cubic feet of space, accommodating two full-size suitcases. With the rear seats folded, cargo capacity increased to 45.2 cubic feet, though this was modest for the segment. The power liftgate, standard on higher trims, was deemed unnecessary given the vehicle's size.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, making it the first vehicle to offer this technology as standard. The system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, enhancing the user experience with natural-language recognition. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions led to frustration, as physical buttons were limited. While the minimalist design was visually appealing, it required users to interact with the screen for basic functions like adjusting the heated steering wheel or seat position. Despite these challenges, the Google OS system offered a seamless experience once users became accustomed to it.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had notable shortcomings. It lacked a touchscreen display, relying instead on center console controls that required visual reference, potentially distracting drivers. The absence of conversational voice-recognition technology further hindered usability, with a success rate of only 50 percent for voice commands. Additionally, the system lacked a tuning knob, complicating radio station navigation. Despite these issues, the 8.8-inch display was well-integrated into the dashboard, offering pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. The CX-30 included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, with higher trims adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose sound system.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The XC90 came equipped with advanced driver safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which maintained distance from other vehicles and provided lane guidance. These features were standard, reinforcing the XC90's reputation as a safe and reliable vehicle.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 also prioritized safety, earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display. The CX-30's safety systems generally performed well, though an unexpected forward-collision warning and braking event highlighted the system's sensitivity. Despite this, the CX-30's safety features contributed to a secure driving experience.