2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those who needed the utility of a minivan but preferred the styling of an SUV. It offered a range of trims, starting with the base LS at $39,498 in Canada, with AWD as standard. The Traverse underwent a light restyle for 2022, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, which was tested, included blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the Traverse RS featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray stitching, though the use of hard plastics was noted. The interior was logically laid out, with user-friendly controls for the stereo and climate systems.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, was a stylish subcompact SUV with a design reminiscent of the larger CX-5. It shared its platform with the Mazda3, offering a raised driving position. The CX-30's cabin was praised for its comfort and quietness, with a blend of conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, was criticized for its steep learning curve. The CX-30 offered three trims in Canada: GX, GS, and GT, with the GT trim featuring a power liftgate, leather upholstery, and a head-up display. The turbocharged engine in the GT trim provided lively performance, though the ride could be rough over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It had a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The Traverse delivered a firm yet compliant ride, though it was prone to scraping over larger road imperfections. On the highway, it provided a comfortable ride, albeit with noticeable road and wind noise. The Traverse's handling was predictable, with limited body roll, but the all-season tires were not particularly engaging.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a choice of engines, with the base GX featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower. The GS and GT trims came with a 2.5-litre engine delivering 186 horsepower, while the tested GT trim had a turbocharged version producing up to 250 horsepower. The CX-30's turbocharged engine provided strong acceleration, especially in Sport mode. The steering was well-weighted, and the suspension offered precise handling with minimal body roll. However, the ride could be harsh over rough roads, and the suspension was better suited for dirt and gravel surfaces.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven with captain's chairs in the RS trim, though this limited capacity compared to the eight-passenger option in lower trims. The interior featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated access to the third row. The Traverse provided ample storage, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space was generous, with 651 litres behind the third row and up to 2,781 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 572 litres with them in use. The GT trim included a power rear liftgate for added convenience. The front seats featured a sliding centre console cover, though it could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The rear seats offered decent headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the space of larger models like the CX-5. The centre console and front door pockets provided ample storage for personal items.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LS trim, while higher trims featured an 8-inch display. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The voice recognition system was praised for its accuracy, and the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen controlled by a rotary dial. This setup, inspired by luxury systems like BMW's iDrive, was criticized for its usability, especially when navigating Apple CarPlay. The system required multiple steps to switch between functions, which could be frustrating. However, accessing CarPlay from the home screen was straightforward. The CX-30's infotainment system was seen as a challenge for new users, and it could be distracting for those unfamiliar with it.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but was rated Poor for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.

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, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-30 earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, with top marks in crash tests and driver-assistance technology.