2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its stylish design, which was a significant improvement over the original Encore, often referred to as "the shoe" due to its awkward proportions. The Encore GX offered a sleek and appealing exterior with no unsatisfactory lines, making it a visually attractive option for buyers. It was available in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring package for a sportier look. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines available. The interior, while offering expected quality for its segment, had some drawbacks, such as hard-to-read analog gauges and a vibrating head-up display, which detracted from its overall refinement.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 boasted a design reminiscent of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth fenders. It shared its platform with the Mazda3, giving it a raised hatchback feel. The CX-30's cabin was noted for its comfort and quietness, with a solid feel to its buttons and doors. The interior design was considered one of the best among affordable cars, featuring a blend of conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, had a steep learning curve, which could be frustrating for users. The CX-30 was available in multiple trims, including the Turbo Premium Plus, which offered a range of premium features and driver assistance technologies.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged engine options. The standard 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the more powerful 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Encore GX's performance was described as adequate, with enough power for highway cruising and nimble handling on winding roads. However, the ride quality was criticized for being too brittle over rough surfaces and too soft over speed humps. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite Buick's efforts to enhance cabin quietness, the Encore GX was not particularly quiet inside.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, offered a more powerful base engine with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The test model featured an upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on premium fuel. The CX-30's performance was lively, especially in Sport mode, with quick and precise steering and minimal body roll. However, the sporty suspension resulted in a rough ride over potholes and uneven surfaces. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters added to its engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position with supportive front seats, although they lacked lateral bolstering. The rear seats were less comfortable, with limited legroom and a low, flat cushion. Interior storage was commendable, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle featured a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for added convenience.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with them in use. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, which could be problematic when folding the rear seats. The rear seats offered decent headroom for short-to-medium trips but might be cramped for longer journeys. The CX-30's interior design included deep front door pockets for large water bottles and ample space for personal items.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology Package added navigation, voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a surround-view camera. Despite these features, the test vehicle lacked the available Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was praised for its quick response, user-friendly interface, and convenient steering wheel controls.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was integrated into the dash and controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. While the design was inspired by luxury systems like BMW's iDrive, it lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigating the system required a learning curve, and switching between presets remained challenging even after setup. The system's complexity could be distracting for new users.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, while adaptive cruise control was available. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award, with top marks in all crash tests and driver-assistance technology.