Jeep Cherokee vs Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, and opinions on its design had mellowed over time. While the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were initially polarizing, they became more accepted after seven years. The Cherokee's proportions improved, making it look better than when it first arrived. The exterior appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) looked quite basic, while an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more upscale. Jeep's attention to roof design was evident in the Cherokee, which offered an optional panoramic sunroof covering the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded field of crossover SUVs, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, potentially causing forearms to tan on longer drives. Taller drivers might find the slight curve at eye level distracting. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The interior design was one of the best among affordable cars, blending conventional and digital displays artfully. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, but its functionality took a backseat to form, resulting in a steep learning curve. Trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more features and premium touches, such as leather upholstery, adaptive headlights, and driver assistance features.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, significantly improved output to 271 hp. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque, making it optional on the Latitude Lux and Cherokee Limited trims. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration. Testing showed a 2019 Cherokee with the V6 engine achieved 0-60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, while the turbo-four did it in about 7.4 seconds. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-saving transmission. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capability, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, primarily to keep prices competitive.

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 four-cylinder engine, available on higher trims, 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, especially in Sport mode, which altered throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30 featured a conventional shifter design, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and a manual tap-shift mode. The ride was sporty and refined, with well-weighted steering and quick, precise turn-in. However, the suspension resulted in a rough ride over potholes and bumpy roads.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with a clean design that didn't strive for luxury or excessive technology. Trim levels influenced interior satisfaction, with the Latitude featuring rubberized black plastic, the Trailhawk offering suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching, and the Latitude Lux boasting perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use, which was average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model included a power rear liftgate. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were 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 rear-seat headroom of the larger CX-5, making them less suitable for longer drives.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis brands' highly regarded infotainment system and climate control interfaces. The Uconnect system was available with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both screens were well-designed and responsive. The Cherokee supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis vehicles, providing a familiar and user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup, inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive, lacked touch functionality, making it less user-friendly. Navigating out of Apple CarPlay was cumbersome, and operating CarPlay and Android Auto with a rotary dial was frustrating. Despite spending time learning the system, it remained challenging to use, and it could be distracting for new users.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and lower trims rated "Marginal." The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available only on higher trims.

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. Adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera were also included. The head-up display provided clear graphics, even with polarized lenses. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.