2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, a hallmark of Korean automotive design. It diverged from the rest of the Genesis lineup, featuring the brand’s signature two-line lighting that created an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70 offered six grades in Canada, with the Sport and Sport Plus grades showcasing a sculpted hood and unique accent lines. Dark chrome finishes and a cross-hatched matrix pattern on the Sport grades emphasized its sporty intent. Customers could choose from over 100 colour combinations, with exclusive options for the Sport grades. The cabin featured an elliptical theme, with premium materials like quilted leather and carbon fibre inserts, although some plastic elements were present.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, resembled a downsized CX-5 with its upright grille and smooth fenders. Built on the Mazda3 platform, it had a raked windshield that could distort the view for taller drivers. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a blend of conventional and digital displays. The infotainment system, though attractive, had a steep learning curve. In Canada, the CX-30 was available in GX, GS, and GT trims, each offering a range of features from heated seats to a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The GT grade, tested with the turbocharged engine, included advanced visibility features and a 360-degree camera.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options. The 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produced 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 delivered 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV70 featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with the Sport+ mode offering aggressive throttle response and partial traction control disabling. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a balance between comfort and road feedback, and the GV70’s turning radius was notably tight.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The GS and GT trims featured a 2.5-litre engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The tested model had a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, offering 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on 93 octane. The CX-30’s six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive provided decent acceleration, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response. The CX-30’s ride was sporty and refined, with quick steering and minimal body roll, though it could be rough over potholes.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-centric design, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The infotainment system was controlled by a raised dial, and climate controls were under a single pane with haptic feedback. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The rear space offered a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, though storage was limited. Cargo volume was 819 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,610 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided 1,280 litres of cargo space with rear seats folded, and 572 litres with seats in use. The GT grade featured a power liftgate. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, which could get stuck when rear seats were folded. The centre console offered ample space, and front doors had deep pockets. Rear seats provided adequate headroom for short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be cramped.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with split-screen capability, though response times were slower than average. The premium Sport Plus grade included a 3D digital instrument cluster and Blind View Monitor system. A fingerprint recognition system allowed keyless vehicle start. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with a non-touchscreen infotainment system controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. Inspired by luxury-car systems, it lacked usability, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigating between presets was cumbersome, even after setup.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing, though it required hands-on operation. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at publication.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered available driver-assistance features, with rain-sensing wipers and blind-spot monitoring as standard. Higher grades included traffic-sign recognition and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, with top marks in crash tests and driver-assistance technology.