2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. However, the Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The interior boasted high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a different aesthetic with its long hood, dramatically drawn flanks, and stubby rear end, giving it a nose-heavy appearance. Despite the excessive gray body cladding, the design was artful and appealing. Inside, the upscale cabin was loaded with quality materials, featuring either artificial or genuine leather upholstery in all but the base trim. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model showcased a tasteful combination of off-white leather, a chocolate brown center console, and black dashboard, door panels, and carpeting. This interior design helped justify the CX-30's premium pricing, making it resemble an entry-level luxury SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, impressive for its roughly 6,400-pound weight. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with four-wheel drive, including the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also featured the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, providing adjustable height for off-roading or reducing aerodynamic drag on highways. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a stately pace due to its bouncy ride at higher speeds and imprecise steering.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version producing up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-30 provided robust acceleration and a thrilling driving experience, especially on twisty mountain roads. However, the small 12.7-gallon fuel tank limited its range, requiring frequent refueling stops. The suspension was compliant, offering a soft ride, but the front suspension struggled with speed bumps and humps, impacting cabin comfort. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30 excelled in daily driving situations, offering a quiet and refined highway experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, space in the front was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Folding all rear seats offered 94.2 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than its competitors. It had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 featured standard dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Turbos added a heated steering wheel. While the driver’s seat was comfortable, the front passenger seat offered only four-way manual adjustment. Rear passengers had standard air conditioning vents, but legroom was tight. Storage space was reasonable, with a center armrest storage bin, glove compartment, and door panel bins. The CX-30 provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, accommodating two full-size suitcases. Folding the 60/40-split rear seats increased cargo space to 45.2 cubic feet, which was not impressive for the small crossover segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot for up to eight devices. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch center console touchscreen, and an optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software update capability. While the screen was slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had three significant flaws: the lack of a touchscreen display, non-conversational voice-recognition technology, and the absence of a tuning knob. These issues caused driver distraction and frustration. However, the 8.8-inch display was beautifully integrated into the dashboard, offering pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. All CX-30s included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services. Turbos added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Bose premium sound system. Wireless smartphone charging was an extra-cost accessory.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, traffic-sign recognition, and two levels of driver-assistance systems. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, thanks to improved side-impact crash protection and standard rear side airbags. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, an adaptive front lighting system, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus included a surround-view camera, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The driving assistance systems worked well, although the forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking system seemed overly sensitive in certain situations.