2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-30, available in Canada in four trim levels, offered a blend of artful design and upscale interior. Despite its nose-heavy appearance due to a long hood and excessive gray body cladding, the CX-30's design was undeniably appealing. The GT Turbo model, with its black wheels and premium features, presented an entry-level luxury SUV feel. Inside, the cabin was elegant, featuring quality materials like off-white leather and polished metal accents, enhancing the vehicle's premium pricing justification.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with broader proportions and a fresher design. It was available in three trim levels in Canada, with the Meridian Edition emphasizing an active-lifestyle image through all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic. The interior was pleasing, with a BMW-like infotainment screen and impressive material quality. However, the CX-50's aspirations to be more upscale were still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually adjustable passenger seat in the base model.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre engine producing 155 horsepower in the base GX trim. The GS and GT models featured a 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower, while the GT Turbo boasted a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine delivering up to 250 horsepower on premium fuel. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, providing a smooth ride with a generous 20 cm of ground clearance. However, the small 48-litre fuel tank limited its range, and the suspension struggled over speed bumps.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 shared its powertrains with the CX-5, featuring a 2.5-litre engine with 187 horsepower in the base model and a turbocharged version offering up to 256 horsepower on premium fuel. The CX-50's six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with additional driving modes like Towing on turbo models. While the CX-50 was a good daily driver, it lacked the sporty driving dynamics of the CX-5. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, but the vehicle remained well-mannered otherwise.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 provided a comfortable driver experience with standard dual-zone climate control and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the front passenger seat offered only four-way manual adjustment, and rear legroom was tight. The cargo space was limited, with 572 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,280 litres with them folded. Storage options were reasonable, but the lack of underfloor storage or cargo nets was a drawback.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly more legroom but less headroom. It provided 889 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,595 litres with them folded. While the CX-50 trailed competitors in cargo space, the available power liftgate improved access. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space and a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had several flaws, including the lack of a touchscreen display and conversational voice-recognition technology. The system required frequent glances away from the road, and the absence of a tuning knob was inconvenient. Despite these issues, the 8.8-inch display was well-integrated, and the system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system on Turbo models.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled by a rotary controller and buttons. While the system lacked excitement and felt dated, it was straightforward for those who preferred minimal tech. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims offering wireless phone charging and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The rotary controller provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without taking eyes off the road.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 was a safety highlight, earning a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS. It featured standard rear side airbags and outboard rear seatbelt tensioners. Safety features varied by trim, with the GX offering blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while higher trims added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. The driving assistance systems worked well, though the forward-collision warning system was overly sensitive at times.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 received a 2023 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it scored lower in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, with optional features like a 360-degree camera system. The CX-50 covered essential safety bases, providing a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies.