2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. While maintaining its recognizable Volvo identity with a boxy profile and a blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines and more chrome detailing, enhancing its character. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights added a distinctive touch. The Inscription trim, with its optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, presented a sleek and modern design reminiscent of a downsized CX-5. Its upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders gave it a dynamic appearance. The CX-30's cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a well-designed interior that combined conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, had a steep learning curve, which could be frustrating for users accustomed to touchscreens. The CX-30's trim levels, including GX, GS, and GT, offered various features, with the GT grade providing the most luxurious options, such as full leather upholstery and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the GX trim, producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The GS and GT trims came with a 2.5-litre engine generating 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Our test model had the upgraded 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and Sport mode provided lively performance, with quick and precise steering. However, the sporty suspension resulted in a rough ride over uneven roads.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power sunroof and the XC90's upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded.

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 included a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, which could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The centre console offered ample storage, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided adequate headroom for short-to-medium trips, but longer drives might be uncomfortable for adults.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system was easy to use, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that allowed for intuitive swiping. However, the text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons, lacking touch functionality. This setup, inspired by older luxury-car systems, was challenging to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigating between presets was cumbersome, even after familiarizing oneself with the system. The elegant dash design integrated the infotainment screen seamlessly, but the lack of touch capability was a drawback.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. It also earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The NHTSA awarded the XC90 a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered various driver-assistance features, though many were not standard in Canada. Available features included forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-30 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in all crash tests and a "Superior" score for driver-assistance technology.