2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to embrace a more modern and upscale aesthetic. This transformation was evident in the Enclave's exterior, which featured a refreshed grille, updated front and rear fascias, and new headlamp and taillamp designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheel design, offering a touch of exclusivity. Inside, the Enclave's cabin was a testament to Buick's commitment to comfort and quality, with upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and climate-controlled seating options that enhanced the overall driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 was a compact SUV that exuded a sense of artful design, despite its somewhat nose-heavy appearance due to its long hood and stubby rear end. The exterior was marred by excessive grey body cladding, but the interior told a different story. The cabin was elegant and upscale, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements. The GT Turbo trim, in particular, featured a tasteful combination of off-white leather and chocolate brown accents, creating an entry-level luxury feel. However, the CX-30's interior was not without its flaws, as the front passenger seat lacked the adjustability and comfort found in the driver's seat.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a robust 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided a surprisingly responsive driving experience, despite the Enclave's substantial weight of over 2,000 kilograms. The SUV's all-wheel-drive system and premium ride suspension, part of the Avenir Technology package, ensured a smooth and composed ride across various terrains. The Enclave's towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms further highlighted its capability, while Buick's QuietTuning technology created a serene cabin environment.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of powertrains, with the GT Turbo trim featuring a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system provided a dynamic driving experience, especially on twisty roads. However, the powertrain could feel flat-footed in heavy traffic, and the small 48-litre fuel tank limited its range. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30's G-Vectoring Control Plus and responsive steering made it one of the most enjoyable vehicles in its class.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers in all three rows. The SUV's large windshield and window openings ensured excellent visibility, while the power-adjustable front seats and tri-zone climate control added to the comfort. The Enclave's cargo space was impressive, offering 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The restyled centre console and push-button transmission gears added a modern touch, although the potential for spills onto the electronic shifter components was a concern.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30, while offering a comfortable driver's seat and standard dual-zone climate control, fell short in terms of passenger space. The rear seats lacked legroom, and the front passenger seat offered limited adjustability. Storage space was reasonable, with various bins and compartments, but the cargo capacity was less impressive, with 572 litres behind the rear seats and 1,280 litres with them folded. The power liftgate, while a nice feature, seemed unnecessary given the limited cargo space.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although the latter could have used more power. The Enclave's technology suite also included a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera, enhancing both convenience and safety.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had several shortcomings. The lack of a touchscreen display and conversational voice-recognition technology made it less intuitive to use. The absence of a tuning knob further complicated the user experience. However, the system did offer Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system on the Turbo trims. Despite its flaws, the CX-30's infotainment system was well-integrated into the dashboard and featured pleasing graphics.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included a comprehensive suite of safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 also prioritized safety, with improvements to its side-impact crash protection and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS. The CX-30 offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The GT and GT Turbo trims added advanced features like a surround-view camera and traffic jam assist. The CX-30's safety systems generally performed well, although the forward-collision warning system could be overly sensitive.