2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was reminiscent of a smaller CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Built on the same platform as the Mazda3, it was essentially a raised version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, potentially causing a tan on longer drives. However, the windshield's slight curve at eye level for taller drivers could distort the road view, which was distracting. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a solid feel to the buttons and doors. The interior design was one of the best among affordable cars, blending conventional and digital displays artfully. The infotainment screen rose organically from the dashboard, but its attractive design came with a steep learning curve.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, enhanced by a 2023 styling update. The new front fascia with bolder strokes and squared-off grille gave it a stronger look. LED accents and headlights were standard, with premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The Palisade's body-colour mirrors were heated and powered, with approach lighting on the top trim. The 20-inch alloy wheels, standard across the lineup, conveyed a premium feel. A new colour, Robust Emerald, was available for the Ultimate Calligraphy models, adding a subtle elegance to the vehicle's appearance. Inside, the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof, with materials and design elements reminiscent of luxury brands.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of engine options. The base GX model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The GS and GT models came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model, equipped with the upgraded 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, produced 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. The power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30's sporty ride was complemented by well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it resulted in a rough ride over potholes.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade came with a single powertrain option: a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made it more powerful than several competitors, including the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The eight-speed automatic transmission could be manipulated with standard paddle shifters, and the AWD drivetrain was standard in Canada. The HTRAC all-wheel drive system proved capable during a muddy off-road test drive. While not suited for rock-crawling, the Palisade offered a comfortable ride and competitive towing capability, hauling up to 2,268 kilograms. Fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 572 litres with the seats in use. These figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment. The GT grade featured a power rear liftgate, adding convenience. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. Despite this design flaw, the centre console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided solid headroom, suitable for short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be tight.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was spacious enough to seat seven or eight passengers comfortably. It offered 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third, with a passenger volume of 4,397 litres. The second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row with a one-touch seat slide, and ingress/egress handles made climbing into the back easier. Cargo space totalled 509 litres behind the third-row seats, 1,297 litres behind the second row, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base trim. The Palisade's interior was designed to accommodate passengers comfortably, with HVAC vents in all three rows and two cupholders per person.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design, with the infotainment screen nestled into the dash. The screen lacked touch functionality and was controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the centre console, inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive. However, this setup was criticized for poor usability, especially when navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was challenging to use, even after setting up presets, and could be distracting for new users.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system as standard, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard in higher trims. The Palisade allowed up to two devices to connect via Bluetooth simultaneously, with up to seven USB ports for charging. A wireless charger was standard on the top trim. The Palisade also featured a 4.2-inch colour driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims, with an in-car intercom and a colour head-up display on the Ultimate Calligraphy model. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard, offering remote accessibility and management features.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered available driver-assistance features, though most were not standard in Canada. Available features included forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Standard features included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher grades offered traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with top marks in all crash tests and a "Superior" score for driver-assistance technology.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard on all trims, as was adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Highway Driving Assist I was standard on Urban models, while Highway Driving Assist II was standard on Ultimate Calligraphy. A full-display digital rearview mirror was offered on the top trim. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard, with the latter using an ultrasonic sensor to monitor the back seats.