2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was a striking vehicle, especially for those with a penchant for black accents. Its shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, and side mirror housings, combined with matte black body cladding, gave it a bold and distinctive appearance. Mazda's design philosophy aimed to create a light and agile look, as if the body floated over the wheels, which was achieved through its unique styling. This design set the CX-30 apart from its sibling, the Mazda3 hatchback, by offering a higher ground clearance and a more SUV-like stance. Inside, the CX-30's cabin mirrored the Mazda3's, featuring quality materials, complementary tones, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces, providing an upscale vibe. The GT trim added chrome accents and a frameless rearview mirror, with black or white leather as standard. Pricing ranged from $24,700 to $36,400, with our test vehicle priced at $38,827, including fees.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level introduced a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The test vehicle featured Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, which proved challenging to keep clean. GMC equipped it with various packages, including the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, and GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, bringing the MSRP to $44,757. While the SLE and SLT trims offered more affordable options, the Terrain Denali added luxury. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain's interior materials and execution left room for improvement, with features like a pop-up head-up display and pushbutton transmission controls that were not particularly intuitive.

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's octane rating. Torque ranged from 310 to 320 lb-ft, ensuring consistent acceleration at lower engine speeds. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel efficiency was rated at 9.3 L/100 km in combined driving, with a real-world average of 9.6 L/100 km. Mazda's focus on driving satisfaction was evident, with effortless acceleration and minimal torque steer, thanks to G-Vectoring Control Plus and i-Activ AWD. The CX-30 Turbo's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its 5 cm of extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode, providing confidence in challenging conditions. However, its added height and weight affected on-pavement performance compared to the Mazda3 Turbo.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it lacked the previous 2.0-litre engine's acceleration and towing capacity, the 1.5-litre engine offered adequate performance for most situations. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band, but there was a delay off the line. The Terrain AT4 featured FWD and AWD modes, with Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control available. The Terrain's ride and handling were tuned for comfort, with thick tire sidewalls absorbing road imperfections. However, its off-road capabilities were limited, and the sport-terrain tires lacked grip in corners. Fuel economy was rated at 9.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.3 highway, and 9.0 combined with AWD.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo offered exceptional comfort for the driver, with eight-way manual adjustment and a driver-focused interior layout. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, but ventilated seats were not available. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though rear-seat accommodations were cramped. Storage space was generous, with 572 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,280 litres with the seats folded. However, the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger limited its usability.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior with numerous comfort-enhancing features. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat offered ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. GMC maximized storage options, with various slots and shelves throughout the cabin. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded for longer items.

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, with GT trim adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The GT trim also included an Active Driving Display, projecting useful data onto the windshield.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the AT4 trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package added a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

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 full suite of safety features and ADAS, with the GT trim adding adaptive front lighting, parking sensors, and rear automatic emergency braking.

The 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package as standard, with the Pro Safety Plus Package available on higher trims. The AT4 trim featured adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, but it received a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of review.