2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from its predecessor, the original Ioniq. It marked the beginning of Hyundai's new Ioniq sub-brand, dedicated solely to electric vehicles. The Ioniq 5's exterior design was a blend of simplicity and complexity, with minimal character lines and a unique Parametric Pixel design that gave it a concept car-like appearance. The interior, contrasting the exterior's boldness, was designed with a "Living Space" theme, offering a relaxing and sustainable environment with features like a zero-gravity driver's seat and the use of recycled materials.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 had a more traditional yet elegant design, reminiscent of a downsized CX-5. It shared its platform with the Mazda3, giving it a raised hatchback feel. The CX-30's cabin was praised for its comfort and quietness, with a solid build quality that extended to its artfully designed instrument cluster and infotainment system. However, the infotainment system's usability was a point of contention, as its rotary dial control was less intuitive than touchscreens. The CX-30's design was more conventional, focusing on a refined and sporty ride.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations and three powertrains in Canada. The base model featured a single 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant boasted a 168-kW motor with 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, offering a range of 488 kilometres. The AWD version, with a dual-motor system, produced 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, though its range dropped to 414 km. The Ioniq 5's performance was middle-of-the-road for a midsize crossover, with a focus on comfort and control rather than sporty driving. It featured four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The Ioniq 5's quiet cabin was enhanced by noise-reducing features, making it a pleasant ride.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque in the GX trim. The GS and GT trims featured a 2.5-litre engine with 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The test model had a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane. The CX-30's performance was lively, especially in Sport mode, with quick and precise steering. However, its sporty suspension resulted in a rough ride over uneven roads. The CX-30's conventional shifter design and manual tap-shift mode added to its performance credibility.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a longer wheelbase and maximizing interior space. It had a wheelbase of 3,000 millimetres, longer than the seven-passenger Palisade, and provided a total interior volume of 3,786 litres. The Ioniq 5's interior was designed for comfort, with a moveable centre console and flat floor, allowing for easy entry and exit. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, catering to both slim and larger drivers.

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 grade featured a power rear liftgate, enhancing convenience. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, though it could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The rear seats provided adequate headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the space of larger models like the CX-5.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with advanced technology, including a high-voltage energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and could charge other devices. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air updates. Its 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was inspired by luxury-car designs, with a rotary dial control instead of touch functionality. While elegant, this setup was less user-friendly, especially for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's usability was a challenge, with a steep learning curve and difficulty navigating between presets. Despite its shortcomings, the CX-30's infotainment system was part of Mazda's effort to move upmarket.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. It also had Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, though official ratings were not yet available.

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