2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Jeep Compass

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 was available in Canada in four trim levels: GX, GS, GT, and GT Turbo, each with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $26,700 to $38,600, excluding a $2,095 destination charge. The GT Turbo model, tested with Soul Red paint and a stainless steel rear bumper guard, featured a long hood and a nose-heavy design, accentuated by excessive gray body cladding. Despite this, the CX-30's upscale cabin boasted quality materials, with leather upholstery in higher trims and a tasteful interior colour scheme in the GT Turbo, resembling an entry-level luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a refined design ethos, moving away from rugged styling. It featured new wheel designs for the Sport, North, and Trailhawk models. Available in seven trims, the Compass's base prices ranged from over $35,000 to more than $45,000, excluding destination charges. The Limited trim, tested with additional packages, reached a price of $54,775. The Compass Limited, with Granite Crystal paint and 19-inch wheels, resembled a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents exuded sophistication, though the high price was a point of contention.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered three engine 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 had a 2.5-litre engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, with improved fuel economy at 8.2 L/100 km combined. The GT Turbo model boasted a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and AWD provided a smooth ride, though the small 48-litre fuel tank limited range. The CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus and responsive steering, but struggled with suspension issues over speed bumps.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD, the Compass offered improved performance. The Trailhawk trim featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a 20:1 crawl ratio and off-road enhancements. The Compass's fuel economy was rated at 8.8 L/100 km combined, though real-world testing showed 9.9 L/100 km. The new engine transformed the Compass's driving experience, though it remained tall and narrow, affecting handling on uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 featured standard dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a power moonroof. Heated front seats and rain-sensing wipers were standard in Canada, with a heated steering wheel available from the GS trim. The CX-30's interior offered reasonable storage space, though rear legroom was tight. Cargo space measured 572 litres, expanding to 1,280 litres with the rear seats folded, though lacking additional storage features.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults in both rows, with standard air filtration and available dual-zone climate control. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather available on higher trims. The Limited trim offered premium features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a heated steering wheel. The Compass's rear seat provided adequate space, and cargo capacity was competitive, with 770 litres behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres with the seats folded. Some models featured a foot-activated power liftgate and adjustable load floor.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had three significant flaws: no touchscreen, lack of conversational voice recognition, and no tuning knob. The 8.8-inch display integrated well into the dashboard, offering Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services. Turbos added SiriusXM, navigation, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and OTA updates. Depending on the trim, it paired with a 10.25-inch digital panel, navigation, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, and Alexa Built-in. The Limited trim included these features, with Alexa proving responsive. The Alpine system was bass-heavy, and the Compass offered parking assist and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 improved side-impact protection with standard rear side airbags and seatbelt tensioners. The IIHS awarded it a "Top Safety Pick" rating. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional features available on higher trims. The driving assistance systems worked well, though a forward-collision warning was overly sensitive during testing.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added drowsy driver detection and a rear-seat reminder. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings, and the IIHS offered incomplete results. The Compass's lane-keeping inputs were sometimes intrusive, and adaptive cruise control was not always smooth.