2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it equally suitable for rugged trails and upscale venues, appealing to a diverse range of buyers across various demographics. The Grand Cherokee's exterior, especially in the Limited X trim with its Slate Blue Pearl paint, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, offered a mild-custom look that was both attractive and functional.

However, the interior of the Grand Cherokee, particularly in models priced over $60,000, was a letdown. While premium materials were present, they were applied over a foundation that felt lacking in substance. The prevalence of hard plastics became more noticeable and irritating as the price increased, detracting from the overall luxury feel that one might expect at such a price point.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo, on the other hand, presented a bold design with its shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, and body cladding, giving it a distinctive and agile appearance. This design choice set it apart from the Mazda3 hatchback, on which it was based, by providing a higher ground clearance and a more SUV-like stance. The interior of the CX-30 Turbo mirrored the Mazda3's, offering quality materials, complementary tones, and an upscale vibe with stitched chocolate brown surfaces.

The cabin of the CX-30 Turbo was designed with the driver in mind, featuring an eight-way manual adjustment for the driver's seat and a driver-focused layout. However, the rear seat space was cramped for adults, and the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the centre console storage bin was less than ideal. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30 Turbo's interior felt spacious and premium, thanks to its minimalist design and high-quality materials.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came equipped with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided satisfying acceleration and a combined fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres, although the test vehicle recorded 12.1 L/100 km. For those seeking more power, the Grand Cherokee offered three V8 engine options, including the 5.7-litre "Hemi" V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the 6.4-litre "Hemi" V8 in the SRT with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk with 707 hp and 645 lb-ft, capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

The Grand Cherokee's off-road capabilities were highlighted by the Trailhawk model, which featured all-terrain tires, skid plates, and the most capable 4WD system. In Canada, 4WD was standard across all models, with four different systems available. The Limited X trim came with the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, which included a 2-speed transfer case and Selec-Terrain traction control, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains. However, on pavement, the Grand Cherokee's driving dynamics were mixed, with excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured a turbocharged Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane. It delivered 310 to 320 lb-ft of torque, providing effortless acceleration. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel efficiency was rated at 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test vehicle averaging 9.6 L/100 km. Mazda's focus on driving satisfaction was evident in the CX-30 Turbo's performance, with the i-Activ AWD system and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhancing handling and traction.

Despite its impressive power, the CX-30 Turbo's added height and weight affected its handling compared to the Mazda3. However, its 5 centimetres of extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode made it suitable for off-road adventures. The i-Activ AWD system provided seamless power distribution, ensuring excellent traction on various surfaces. While the torsion-beam rear suspension design was noticeable at times, the CX-30 Turbo remained a rewarding vehicle to drive, offering a balance of performance and sophistication.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and a cargo capacity of 1,028 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded down. The front seats were heated and 8-way power-adjustable, providing comfort, though ventilated seats were not available in the Limited X trim. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests, but the integration of seat heater buttons with the infotainment system was a source of irritation. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports, while interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the centre console and sizable door-panel bins.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo provided exceptional comfort for the driver, with an eight-way manual adjustment and a driver-focused interior layout. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard with the GS and GT trims. However, ventilated seats were not available, and the front passenger seat lacked a wider range of adjustment. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the rear seat space was cramped for adults. The CX-30 Turbo offered 572 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,280 litres with the seats folded down, but the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the centre console storage bin was less than ideal.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, supporting up to eight devices. The test vehicle included a 9-speaker Alpine premium audio system, though the 19-speaker Harman Kardon system offered in higher trims was superior. Unique to Jeep's Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing valuable information for off-roading excursions.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo's infotainment system featured an 8.8-inch display, operated via physical controls and voice commands. While the system required acclimation, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT trim included SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, which sounded impressive due to early collaboration with Bose for speaker placement. The GT trim also featured an Active Driving Display, projecting useful data onto the windshield, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I was standard, including a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added low-speed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS in certain crash tests.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, receiving the highest ratings in every testing parameter. It also achieved five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The CX-30 Turbo came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features and ADAS, though it lacked high-speed lane-centring assistance. The GT trim added an adaptive front lighting system, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear automatic emergency braking system, enhancing safety and convenience.