2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design that, over time, became more familiar and less striking. Its blunt and bulbous nose, combined with black windshield pillars, gave it an aggressive front-heavy appearance. Despite its swollen haunches and 20-inch alloy wheels, the Highlander's design was somewhat overwhelmed by its cartoonishly-flared quarter panels. The interior offered a two-tone look with soft leather in higher trims, but the dashboard's asymmetrical design and reflective 12.3-inch screen detracted from its appeal. While the controls were sensibly laid out, the mix of illumination colours made the gauges appear busy at night.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, was reminiscent of a downsized CX-5 with its upright grille and smooth fenders. Built on the Mazda3 platform, it resembled a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse, potentially causing distractions for taller drivers due to its slight curve. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a well-designed instrument cluster and an infotainment screen that rose organically from the dashboard. However, the infotainment system's form over function approach resulted in a steep learning curve, especially when navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, reducing its total output to 243 horsepower. This change improved fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 6.7 L/100 km, although real-world testing showed an average of 7.4 L/100 km. While the Highlander Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, it lacked driving excitement. The power was adequate for climbing hills and reaching freeway speeds, but the engine sounded strained during hard acceleration. The steering was lifeless, and the ride was marred by unwanted body movement, although regenerative brakes performed well. On smooth roads, the Highlander handled capably, but rougher terrain revealed its shortcomings.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a more engaging driving experience. The base engine in the GX trim was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 155 horsepower, while the GS and GT trims featured a 2.5-litre engine producing 186 horsepower. Our test model had the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, delivering 227 horsepower on 87 octane fuel and 250 horsepower on 93 octane. The CX-30's Sport mode enhanced throttle response and shift mapping, making it lively and responsive. The steering was well-weighted, and the ride was sporty and refined, though it could be rough over potholes. The suspension handled dirt and gravel roads well, but craggy paved roads posed a challenge.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with a 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the narrow cabin made it uncomfortable for three adults. The third-row seat was low and lacked support, with tight headroom and limited legroom. Cargo space behind the third row measured 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and a maximum capacity of 2,387 litres. However, storage was less generous than the previous generation, and the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 572 litres with the seats in use. The GT grade featured a power rear liftgate, enhancing convenience. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when folded. The centre console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided solid headroom for short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be less comfortable due to limited rear-seat headroom.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large stereo volume and tuning knobs, but the JBL sound system's audio quality varied. Toyota's Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view. The driver information display offered detailed data, but the voice recognition system did not control climate settings.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. Inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive, it lacked touch functionality, making navigation cumbersome. Exiting Apple CarPlay was challenging, and the rotary dial was not ideal for touchscreen-designed systems. While getting into CarPlay was straightforward, navigating presets remained frustrating. Despite its elegant design, the system's usability was a drawback, especially for those unfamiliar with it.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ with automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure with steering assist. New features included intersection support and emergency steering assistance. The adaptive cruise control occasionally felt uneven, and the lane-centring assistance was overly sensitive. The Highlander earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars in frontal-impact crash tests.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered available driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Standard features included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Our test model had adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera. The head-up display provided clear graphics, and the electronic parking brake required the driver to fasten their seatbelt before disengaging. The CX-30 received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in all crash tests.