Buick Envision vs Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, was sold in China and North America. The 2021 model was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting a more planted appearance on the street. Its premium crossover styling was more sculpted than the Cadillac XT4 but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the latter making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir trim featured upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille, 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels, and a unique interior with leather-appointed seating and a head-up display.

The Envision's cabin design was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls angled toward the driver. While stylish, the abundance of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust. The Envision rode on 18- or 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim level, and featured LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The Avenir grade added premium touches, making it competitive with luxury-level SUVs. However, the Envision's drivability leaned more towards comfort than sportiness, akin to a Lincoln rather than a Mazda.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Riding on the same platform as the Mazda3, the CX-30 was essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. Its raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, and the slight curve at eye level for taller drivers could be distracting. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The instrument cluster blended conventional and digital displays, and the infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard. However, the infotainment system had a steep learning curve, prioritizing form over function.

The CX-30 offered multiple trim levels, from the base 2.5 S to the range-topping Turbo Premium Plus. The base 2.5 S came with 16-inch alloy wheels, standard all-wheel drive, and an eight-speaker stereo. Higher trims added features like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and a power sunroof. The Turbo Premium Plus model included front-and-rear parking sensors and advanced driver assistance features. The CX-30's sporty, refined ride was complemented by well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it had a rough ride over potholes.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter base engine. This engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, a downgrade from the 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque in the 2020 model. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the weight savings didn't fully compensate for the power loss. The Envision offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel efficiency improved, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. AWD models fared slightly worse. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but not particularly engaging, with noticeable engine and road noise.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, and the Sport mode altered throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier drive. The CX-30's conventional shifter design, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and manual tap-shift mode added to its performance credibility. The CX-30 had a sporty, refined ride with quick turn-in and minimal body roll, though it had a rough ride over potholes.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign didn't improve cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, it had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity also decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls. Small-item storage was typical for the segment, and the Envision was reasonably comfortable for long drives. However, forward visibility was poor for shorter drivers.

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 featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the rear seats when folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the headroom of the larger CX-5.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech highlights included a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and cleanly displayed necessary functionalities. The driver could see station and song title information faster on the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, surround-view camera, HUD, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's elegant dash design featured an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup, inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems, lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was confusing and had a steep learning curve, even after setting up presets. Switching between presets was also a pain, making it distracting for new users.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included Buckle to Drive, following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models. The Envision lacked GM's Super Cruise and lane-centering technology.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with 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, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award, with top marks in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for driver-assistance technology.