2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. The front end of the XC90 appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy, and the grille was assertive yet not oversized. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the older models. The XC90's dimensions and shape still leaned toward rectilinear, but it no longer resembled a toaster. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with two-tone leather on the steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior featured wood deco inlays and a clean look with few physical controls.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, despite its excessive charcoal-colored plastic cladding, was appealing with its short overhangs, long and low hood, sculpted flanks, squat greenhouse, and rakish roofline. The interior felt a class above, with style, refinement, and attention to detail on par with entry-level luxury SUVs. The gauges were clear, the infotainment screen was integrated into the dashboard, and the dual-zone climate controls were well-designed. The test car, a 2.5 Carbon Turbo trim, featured Zircon Sand paint and Terracotta and Black interior upholstery. The exterior color provoked mixed reactions, but it worked well on the SUV. The MSRP for the test model was $34,210, including destination.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, similar to the T6, used a supercharger and turbo with mild-hybrid tech to generate 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness but didn't offer full-hybrid benefits. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, and minimal road and wind noise. The brakes were solid, and the XC90 handled well in a New Hampshire snowstorm, despite lacking dedicated winter tires.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, with its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas). The power delivery was smooth, and the six-speed automatic transmission shifted flawlessly. The standard AWD system provided good traction. However, fuel economy was a weak point, with an observed 21.3 mpg compared to the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. The CX-30 was fun to drive, with nimble handling and excellent outward visibility. It performed well on highways and winding roads, though it felt a bit soft on narrow, winding roads. The CX-30's standard AWD, Off-Road traction assist setting, and eight inches of ground clearance made it capable on challenging trails.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats were peaceful and pleasant, but the minimalist design led to limited storage space. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult. With the third row in place, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This was less than competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX. The XC90 drove like a smaller car, making it more maneuverable than typical three-row SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's interior featured quality materials, logical controls, and a traditional PRNDL shifter. The Terracotta leather seats with simulated Black suede inserts added a splash of color. The interior was cramped, especially in the back seat, but the driver and front passenger were comfortable. The power-adjustable driver's seat made it easy to find a perfect position, and both front seats were heated. Storage space was adequate, with 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The load floor could be adjusted for more flexibility.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system of its kind. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were standard features. The natural-language recognition was excellent, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. More physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 Turbo models received a new 10.25-inch infotainment display with touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen was far from the driver and front passenger, but it was an improvement over static displays. Mazda's system lacked natural voice recognition, making it less user-friendly. All CX-30s included a three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services, a three-month trial of in-vehicle Wi-Fi, two USB-C ports, and, in higher trims, a wireless smartphone charger and Bose premium audio system.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance and lane position from a standstill to highway speed.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 added new standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat alert system. These joined forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered adaptive headlights, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a hands-on driving assistance system. The CX-30 earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.