2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a striking blend of luxury and style, drawing clear design inspiration from its G70 sedan sibling. Its exterior featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, giving it a coupe-like SUV appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to Genesis's luxury credentials, boasting top-notch materials and a design that was both contemporary and classic. The dashboard was equipped with a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface that was superior to the touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a more artful yet rugged exterior design, characterized by a long hood and dramatic flanks. However, its aesthetic appeal was somewhat marred by excessive grey body cladding. Inside, the CX-30's cabin exuded an upscale feel, with quality materials and a tasteful combination of colours. The GT Turbo model, in particular, featured off-white leather and a chocolate brown centre console, giving it an entry-level luxury SUV vibe. Despite its premium pricing, the CX-30's interior design and material quality helped justify its cost, although the lack of legroom in the rear was a notable drawback.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, providing a refined and well-rounded driving experience. The GV70's handling was a perfect blend of comfort and sharpness, making it suitable for both spirited driving and everyday commutes. The Electrified GV70, with its 77.4-kWh battery and dual electric motors, produced a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, offering a smooth yet powerful acceleration. However, its range of 383 kilometres was on the shorter side for an EV, though it benefited from fast charging capabilities.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, came with three powertrain options. The base GX trim featured a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The GS and GT models were equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The GT Turbo variant boasted a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, delivering up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. All engines were mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with AWD. The CX-30's performance was characterized by robust acceleration and enjoyable handling, especially on twisty roads. However, its small fuel tank and less intuitive brake pedal were notable downsides.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with them in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The interior featured a hands-free power liftgate, large cupholders, and a centre console with a retractable lid. While the front seats offered ample comfort and adjustability, the rear seats were less spacious, with limited legroom requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats forward.

In comparison, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered 572 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,280 litres with them folded, which was less impressive for its class. The interior included dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a power moonroof. However, the front passenger seat lacked adjustability, and rear legroom was tight. Storage space was reasonable, with various bins and compartments throughout the cabin, but the lack of underfloor storage in the cargo area was a drawback.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menus, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls. The GV70 also offered four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an optional Lexicon 18-speaker audio system.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system lacked a touchscreen, relying instead on centre console controls that required frequent glances away from the road. The system also lacked conversational voice recognition, making it less intuitive to use. Despite these shortcomings, the CX-30's 8.8-inch display was well-integrated into the dashboard, offering pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. Standard features included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports, with higher trims adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 also prioritized safety, earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It featured standard rear side airbags, outboard rear seatbelt tensioners, and a range of driver-assistance technologies. Higher trims offered additional features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a head-up display. The CX-30's safety systems generally performed well, though some responses were overly sensitive.