2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was a striking vehicle, especially for those who appreciated a bold black aesthetic. Its shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, and side mirror housings, combined with thick matte black body cladding, gave it a distinctive look. Mazda claimed this design lent the CX-30 a light and agile appearance, as if it were floating over the wheels. This effect was consistent, making the CX-30 appear as though it was perpetually in motion, even when stationary. The elevated stance of the CX-30 differentiated it from the Mazda3 hatchback, on which it was based, offering a higher ground clearance and a more commanding presence.

Inside, the CX-30's cabin mirrored the Mazda3’s, featuring quality materials and a sophisticated design. The interior boasted stitched chocolate brown surfaces and complementary tones, providing an upscale vibe. Changes were minimal, with a chrome accent around the engine start button and a standard frameless rearview mirror. The GT trim, where the turbocharged engine became available, came with standard black or white leather. Pricing for the 2021 CX-30 ranged from $24,700 to $36,400, with our test vehicle priced at $38,827, including fees.

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. It was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a substantial presence that appealed to those who preferred a more traditional, American-made SUV. The Enclave's design was both modern and luxurious, with the Avenir trim adding a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. This styling extended to the interior, where organic forms and polished accents created a refined atmosphere. The Enclave Avenir featured soft, perforated leather seats and a minimalist approach to instrumentation, though the wood trim was not genuine.

The Enclave's simplicity extended to its controls, with a fussy electronic transmission shifter being the only exception. Despite this, the Enclave was easy to drive, with a smooth and comfortable ride. Pricing in Canada ranged from just over $48,000 to over $62,000, before the $1,900 destination charge. The Enclave competed with higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and lower-priced luxury models, offering a compelling option for those seeking a spacious and comfortable family vehicle.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo was equipped with a turbocharged Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower, depending on the fuel's octane rating. Torque was impressive, measuring 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm or 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm, ensuring strong acceleration at lower engine speeds. The CX-30 Turbo featured a six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive (AWD), with front-wheel drive (FWD) available on lower trims. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a real-world average of 9.6 L/100 km.

Mazda's engineers focused on delivering a satisfying driving experience, tuning the powertrain for responsiveness rather than outright speed. The CX-30 Turbo offered effortless acceleration, with hints of torque steer managed by the revised GVC-Plus technology and i-Activ AWD system. The vehicle's added height and weight compared to the Mazda3 made it less agile, but the extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode compensated for this when driving off-road. The CX-30 Turbo's torsion-beam rear suspension design was mostly unnoticeable, though it occasionally resulted in a pronounced bounce over certain road conditions.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivered 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a smooth driving experience. The Enclave's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the Essence trim, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was available on higher trims.

The Enclave's suspension was a standout feature, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping. This setup provided a comfortable and composed ride across various driving conditions, from urban streets to highways. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an average of 11.1 L/100 km during testing. The Enclave's 82-litre fuel tank allowed for a driving range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo offered a comfortable and driver-focused interior, with eight-way manual adjustment for the driver's seat and heated front seats as standard. The cabin's design was minimalist yet spacious, with high-quality materials and a sense of openness. However, the rear seat was cramped for adults, though rear-seat air conditioning vents provided some comfort. Cargo space was generous for a small SUV, with 572 litres behind the rear seats and 1,280 litres with the seats folded down. The location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the centre console storage bin was a drawback, as it limited storage options.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and massage, while the front passenger enjoyed a 10-way power-adjustable seat with similar features. The Enclave's interior was quiet and comfortable, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts and standard Active Noise Cancellation. Cargo space was impressive, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and 2,764 litres with the second row down.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display, operated via physical controls and voice commands. While the system required acclimation, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 12-speaker Bose audio system and navigation on the GT trim. The Active Driving Display projected useful data onto the windshield, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. However, the system's screen size and audio components fell short compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror and a range of connected services, though free trial periods were short.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including an adaptive front lighting system and rear automatic emergency braking on the GT trim.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.