2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 was available in Canada in four trim levels: GX, GS, GT, and GT Turbo, each offering a unique powertrain. All models featured a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $26,700 for the base GX trim to $38,600 for the top GT Turbo, excluding a $2,095 destination charge. The design of the CX-30 was characterized by a long hood, dramatic flanks, and a stubby rear end, giving it a nose-heavy appearance. Despite its appealing design, the excessive gray body cladding detracted from its overall aesthetic. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, with higher trims featuring leather upholstery and polished metal accents. The GT Turbo model boasted a tasteful interior with off-white leather and a chocolate brown centre console, resembling an entry-level luxury SUV.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a true crossover built on the TNGA-K platform, sharing its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry. It was larger than its competitors, measuring 5,115 millimetres in length with a 2,950 mm wheelbase, offering a spacious interior. The Grand Highlander's design was more conservative and blockier compared to the smaller Highlander, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. It featured a trapezoidal grille with a smaller horizontal slit between narrow headlights, resembling Toyota's off-roading SUV, the 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with Softex synthetic leather on the XLE and real leather on higher trims. The interior was comfortable, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row, making it a suitable choice for families.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered three engine options. The base GX trim featured a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The GS and GT models had a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. 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. All engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The CX-30 provided a smooth ride with a ground clearance of 20 centimetres and an Off-Road traction assist function. However, the suspension struggled with speed bumps, and the small 48-litre fuel tank limited its range.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine produced 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option developed 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain delivered 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. All powertrains came with AWD. The Grand Highlander was not designed for sports car performance, but the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was larger and less maneuverable than the smaller Highlander, with a numb steering feel. However, the brakes were solid, and the 2.4-litre turbocharged engine provided adequate power. The Grand Highlander offered three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 featured 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 on the GS trim. The CX-30's interior was comfortable for the driver but less so for the front passenger due to limited seat adjustment. Rear air conditioning vents were standard on all but the base trim, but legroom was tight. The CX-30 offered 572 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,280 litres with the rear seats folded. However, it lacked additional storage features like nooks or underfloor storage.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, offering a spacious interior with a 2,950 mm wheelbase. It provided 2,761 litres of total cargo capacity, with 1,640 litres behind the second-row seats and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander was comfortable, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row. It offered a reasonable alternative to minivans for those seeking a spacious vehicle without the minivan stigma.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had three significant flaws: it lacked a touchscreen display, conversational voice-recognition technology, and a tuning knob. The system required quick looks down to reference controls, causing driver distraction. The voice-recognition system was not effective, with a success rate of about 50 percent. The CX-30 offered Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Turbos added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over Toyota's previous interface. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, responding to voice commands for tasks like adjusting the temperature or changing radio stations. The subscription also included cloud-based navigation software and 24/7 live agent assistance. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims came with an 11-speaker JBL stereo, offering good sound quality. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available with a three-month trial.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, thanks to improved side-impact crash protection and standard rear side airbags. Safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GT and GT Turbo trims added an adaptive front lighting system, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested or rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Platinum grade offered traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with four following-distance settings.