2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was a standout in the midsize SUV category, with a design that was anything but boring. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille gave it a distinctive presence. The character line along the side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its unique appeal. The Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The introduction of the XSE trim level brought a sportier appearance with a restyled front end, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a more aggressive stance, although it didn't quite match the performance of sportier rivals.

Inside, the Highlander leaned towards luxury, especially in the Limited trim. The interior boasted near-flawless fit and finish, with tan leather seats and dark brown trim. The wood details, though not real, added a touch of elegance. The steering wheel was comfortable to hold, and the cabin was free of squeaks and rattles. The Highlander prioritized comfort and convenience, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a blend of practicality and upscale features.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, was a stylish subcompact SUV with a design reminiscent of a downsized CX-5. Its upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders gave it a sleek appearance. The CX-30 shared its platform with the Mazda3, essentially serving as a raised-up version of the hatchback. The raked windshield, while adding to its sporty look, had a slight curve that could distort the view for taller drivers. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a well-designed interior featuring a blend of conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, had a steep learning curve, which could be frustrating for some users.

In Canada, the CX-30 offered three trim levels: GX, GS, and GT. The GX came with standard all-wheel drive, heated front seats, and a range of tech features. The GS added more premium touches, while the GT offered a power liftgate, leather upholstery, and advanced safety features. The GT also had the option of a turbocharged engine, providing a more spirited driving experience. Overall, the CX-30 was a well-rounded subcompact SUV with a focus on style and performance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered smooth and predictable operation, whether in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. While it wasn't designed for high-speed thrills, it provided adequate power for highway merging and daily driving. The Highlander's powertrain was comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, though it fell short of the Ford Explorer ST's performance. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but it remained a family-focused vehicle prioritizing comfort.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque in the GX trim. The GS and GT trims featured a 2.5-litre engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model, equipped with the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, delivered 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, with increased output on premium fuel. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive provided lively acceleration, especially in Sport mode. The steering was precise, and the suspension offered a sporty, refined ride, though it could be harsh on rough roads.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and versatility. It featured a set of shelves ahead of the front seats, providing ample storage for personal items. The second-row passengers enjoyed generous legroom, with available captain's chairs that could slide to optimize space for the third row. However, the third row was best suited for children or short trips. Cargo space was competitive, with 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,245 litres with both rear rows down. The rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which could be a minor inconvenience.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 572 litres with the seats in use. The GT trim featured a power rear liftgate for added convenience. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, though it could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The centre console provided ample storage, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear-seat headroom was adequate for short-to-medium trips, but taller passengers might find it cramped on longer journeys.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while the Platinum trim offered a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Both systems were user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The navigation system, available from the Limited grade, had some limitations in locating points of interest. The JBL audio system provided decent sound quality, though it wasn't exceptional. The 12.3-inch screen looked impressive but didn't fully utilize its size for all functions.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash. Controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons, the system lacked touch functionality, which could be frustrating for users accustomed to touchscreens. The setup was inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive, but it had usability issues. Navigating between Apple CarPlay and the Mazda home screen was cumbersome, and the rotary dial made operating CarPlay and Android Auto challenging. Despite its elegant design, the infotainment system required patience and familiarity.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. Blind spot monitoring was standard, and LED headlights were included. The Highlander received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of driver-assistance features, though many were not standard in Canada. Available features included forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Standard features included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The CX-30 earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top marks in crash tests and driver-assistance technology.