2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further updated in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels also available. Despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, the GX’s styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. Riding on the same platform as the Mazda3, the CX-30 was essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. Its incredibly raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, and its slight curve at eye level for taller drivers could distort the view of the road. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid and satisfying tactile feedback from buttons and doors. The interior design was one of the best among affordable cars, blending conventional and digital displays artfully. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, but its functionality took a backseat to form, presenting a steep learning curve. The CX-30 offered various trim levels, each adding more features and premium touches, culminating in the Turbo Premium Plus with front-and-rear parking sensors and additional driver assistance features.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was reminiscent of an older generation of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample power for initial acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the GX also required more forethought than modern vehicles, and its handling was characterized by low grip and significant body roll. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of unibody construction. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids. The optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements for rugged terrain. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and included trailer-sway control.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30’s conventional shifter design, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and manual tap-shift mode added to its sporty feel. The vehicle had well-weighted steering, quick and precise turn-in, and minimal body roll in corners. However, the suspension’s sporty tuning resulted in a rough ride over potholes and imperfections on paved roads, though it handled dirt and gravel roads decently.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The second row had climate controls but accessing the third row was challenging due to the second-row seats. The GX offered three rows of seating for seven, with a power-folding third row available on higher trims. However, the third row was best suited for children, and cargo space was significantly reduced with the third row in use. With the second and third rows folded, the GX provided 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the Land Rover Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet.

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 the seats in use, average for the subcompact SUV segment. Our Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. Despite this design flaw, the center console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. The rear seats provided solid headroom and were comfortable for adults on short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be tight due to limited rear-seat headroom compared to the larger CX-5.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system had dated graphics and limited functionality, with a separate display for time and temperature using a seven-segment format. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces in other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. This setup, inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW’s iDrive, lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to use, especially for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigating between presets and exiting CarPlay was particularly frustrating. Despite the learning curve, the system’s integration into the dash added to the vehicle’s upscale feel.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. Our Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. It also featured adaptive front headlights, a 360-degree parking camera, and a head-up display. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award, with top marks in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its driver-assistance technology.