2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Toyota Venza

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 from the buttons to the 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 steep learning curve was a downside.

The 2023 Toyota Venza, a midsize crossover SUV, stood out with its sleek and sculpted design, resembling a Lexus more than a typical Toyota. Its contoured body was a departure from the usual Toyota style, with harmonious curves and no awkward side bulges. Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the RAV4 but dressed up the cabin with nicer materials and details. The dashboard and center stack were similar to the RAV4, but the Venza featured better-integrated climate control buttons and more soft-touch surfaces. The quality of materials approached Lexus' level of luxury, making the Venza one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane. Power was routed to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which altered throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier drive. The CX-30's sporty ride was complemented by well-weighted steering and quick, precise turn-in, though it resulted in a rough ride over potholes.

The 2023 Toyota Venza housed a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, paired with electric motor/generators and a 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack, producing a combined 219 horsepower. A CVT sent power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for AWD. The Venza's initial acceleration was provided by the electric motors, with the gasoline engine blending in seamlessly. It reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling. Its ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, absorbing most road imperfections well.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use, which was average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate, adding convenience. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. Despite this design flaw, the center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the headroom of the larger CX-5.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats provided ample space for taller drivers and passengers, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof could turn opaque at the touch of a button, a feature more common in luxury vehicles. Outward visibility was excellent, though the roof pillar behind the driver could block the blind spot view. Rear seats were spacious enough for average adults, with abundant legroom and foot room. The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. However, it excelled at holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup, inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive, lacked touch functionality, making it less user-friendly. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was challenging, though entering CarPlay from the Mazda home screen was straightforward. Despite spending time learning the system, it remained frustrating, especially for those unfamiliar with it.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE trim and above offered a larger 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, offering remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. The top Limited trim included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, functioning like a virtual navigator. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top marks in all crash tests and a "Superior" score for its driver-assistance technology.

The 2023 Toyota Venza received five stars from the NHTSA in overall and side crash protection, and four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it the highest score of "Good" in most categories, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the new side impact test. The Venza was named a Top Safety Pick. It came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, and more. The XLE trim added parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking, while the Limited trim included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.