2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged appearance. However, its side profile introduced a softer character line that swooped over the rear wheel arch, a design flourish also seen on the Toyota Supra and Sienna. This element added unnecessary visual weight, making the Highlander appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall body felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high on the dash, reducing driver distraction. The Bronze Edition featured 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery with a triangle motif, which seemed more suited to a paper towel than a car. The Softex synthetic leather substitute felt more like vinyl, and genuine leather was only available in the top trims.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, resembling a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, and its slight curve could distort the road view for taller drivers. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The interior design was one of the best among affordable cars, featuring a blend of conventional and digital displays. The infotainment screen rose organically from the dashboard, but its usability was hindered by a steep learning curve. The CX-30's trim levels in Canada included GX, GS, and GT, each offering various features like alloy wheels, heated seats, and advanced audio systems. The GT grade, tested with the turbocharged engine, included features from the Advanced Visibility Package, enhancing its appeal.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada, using a supplemental electric motor for the rear axle. Toyota estimated it could reach 100 km/h in just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The engine hum was subtle under light acceleration but became a drone when more power was demanded. The Highlander Hybrid's braking was traditional, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over road bumps, and the cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise on the highway.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 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 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The test model had a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, producing 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport button altering throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30's conventional shifter design was complemented by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a manual tap-shift mode. The CX-30 offered a sporty, refined ride with well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it had a rough ride over potholes.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with plenty of adjustments for drivers of all sizes. However, the driver's door armrest was just out of reach, leading to an awkward lean. The vehicle offered ample storage, including a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf in front of the passenger, and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, accommodating six-footers with ease, and featured sliding and reclining captain's chairs. The third-row seat was less accommodating, intended for occasional use by children, with limited headroom and legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

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. The GT grade included a power rear liftgate. The front seats featured a sliding centre console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. The centre console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. The rear seats provided solid headroom, suitable for adults on short-to-medium trips, though they lacked the headroom of the larger CX-5.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the top trim. The infotainment system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, with wireless charging available on Limited and Platinum trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system were standard on the Highlander Hybrid Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design, with the infotainment screen nestled into the dash. The screen lacked touch functionality, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems but was criticized for poor usability. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were challenging to operate with the rotary dial. The system was confusing even after setup, and navigating between presets was cumbersome.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems required some fine-tuning, with abrupt stops and resistance in the steering wheel.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Available safety features included forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Standard features included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The test model had adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera, with a head-up display providing clear graphics.