2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Toyota Venza

During the 2020 Mazda CX-30's development, a decision was made to cover its lower perimeter with thick gray plastic cladding. This choice was widely regarded as a mistake, as it detracted from the vehicle's otherwise appealing design. The excessive cladding made the 18-inch wheels appear too small and gave the impression that the CX-30 was perpetually on a hydraulic lift. Despite this, the interior design was praised for its luxurious feel above the midpoint of the cabin, though hard plastics were prevalent below. Pricing for the CX-30 started at $21,900, with various trims and options pushing the cost up to $32,120 for a fully loaded model.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, was noted for its Lexus-like appearance, blurring the lines between the two brands. Critics appreciated its elongated profile and grille, which resembled the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept. The Venza was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with a choice of seven paint colors. Standard features included LED headlights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior boasted premium appointments, especially in the Limited trim, which featured a digital rearview mirror, illuminated footwells, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The Venza's design was more refined and elegant compared to the rugged RAV4.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite its competitive power figures, the CX-30's weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option limited its performance. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, however, was praised for its efficiency and included paddle shifters in the Premium trim. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance and an optional AWD system with off-road traction assist. Fuel economy was a downside, with an average of 23.9 mpg during testing, and a smaller gas tank reducing the driving range to just over 300 miles.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, resulting in a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system used an electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (eCVT) with a sequential-shifting feature for regenerative braking. While the Venza's acceleration was smooth, it was not rapid, and engine noise was noticeable during acceleration. However, the Venza excelled in fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined. The Venza's handling was confident and typical of a Toyota, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its higher ground clearance. Inside, the cabin was upscale and elegant, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, and the gauges were large and easy to read. Cloth seating was standard, with simulated leather in Select and Preferred trims, and genuine leather in Premium trim. The rear seat was cramped, with limited legroom, making it suitable for younger children or shorter adults. Cargo space was also limited, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2021 Toyota Venza's interior was practical and unique, with premium appointments in the center stack and a deep center console featuring various controls and storage options. The front seats were accommodating, and the rear seats were comfortable for two adults. The Venza offered more headroom and nearly equal shoulder and hip room compared to the RAV4. Cargo space was 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors but sufficient for daily use. The Venza's interior was more refined and elegant, making it a comfortable choice for extended drives.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch static display for its infotainment system, which was not a touchscreen to improve driver focus. However, the controls were not always intuitive, making the system challenging to use while driving. Standard technology included Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services with a free 3-year trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available in Select trim and higher, while satellite radio and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system were offered in Preferred and Premium trims. The Premium trim also included a head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with an 8-inch infotainment system in the LE and XLE trims, while the Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system was not the easiest to use, requiring multiple menu trips for simple functions. However, the Venza included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa as standard across all trims. Additional features included a Wi-Fi hot spot, a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system in the XLE and Limited trims, and various Toyota connected services. The larger infotainment screen in the Limited trim offered dynamic navigation with cloud-based route guidance.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Select trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, while Premium trim included adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received high marks for crashworthiness, with a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with Premium trim.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with an upgrade to automatic braking available in the XLE and Limited trims. The Venza also featured eight airbags, a rearview camera, hill start assist, and parking distance sensors. The safety features were effective and not intrusive, providing a reliable and safe driving experience.