The 2022 Mazda CX-30 and 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross are small, nimble, style-forward SUVs. Here’s how they stack up.
2022 Mazda CX-30
2022 Mazda CX-30 Starting Price: $23,500 (est.) | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Upscale styling; premium interior; most power in class; standard all-wheel drive; sporty handling; comprehensive driver assists; available 2.5 Turbo model.
Below Average: Infotainment system learning curve; snug rear seating.
Consensus: The CX-30 bridges the gap between a sports car and an SUV. Its standard safety features and high seating position provide the best of both worlds. A long list of options includes an available 2.5-liter turbo-inline-4 engine with cylinder deactivation on the premium trim level.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Starting Price: $22,195 | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Budget-friendly; many standard active safety features; standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; available AWD.
Below Average: Only one engine choice; base model is pretty basic; the exterior design is unremarkable.
Consensus: The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is aimed at the heart of the hugely popular small-SUV segment, and with its affordable price, solid fuel economy, and strong standard feature set, the new Corolla Cross makes a good argument for your hard-earned money.
CX-30 vs. Corolla Cross: A Question of Style
Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 is a subcompact SUV that pushes the envelope in what we expect from a subcompact SUV. Smaller than the CX-5 compact but larger than the discontinued CX-3, it offers style, an engaging character, and a wide array of standard technology and safety features.
The interior has a near-luxury vibe and feels larger and airier than the CX-30’s size would suggest. Still, some second-row passengers may feel slightly cramped. With its enthusiastic road manners and handling characteristics, this could be the best-driving subcompact SUV in the segment today.
New for 2022: All CX models will now receive standard all-wheel drive. The CX-30’s standard power comes from a 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G inline-4, producing 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Those with a taste for more power can choose the 2.5-liter turbo inline-4 to get 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque with 87 octane or 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with 93-octane fuel.
Pricing is not available yet for the 2022 CX-30, but we expect that everything will increase slightly. That includes the turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4, leather seating, Bose premium audio system, head-up display, navigation, and more.
Toyota Corolla Cross
The all-new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is the brand’s newest entrant to the hugely popular small-SUV segment. It joins models like the Nissan Rogue Sport, Subaru Crosstrek, Volkswagen Taos, and Kia Seltos.
The Corolla Cross features a single 4-cylinder engine and optional AWD. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder delivers 169 horsepower to the front wheels, or all four if you opt for AWD.
Three trim levels are offered: L, LE, and XLE. No matter which you choose, every Corolla Cross comes with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety features. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and more.
Anyone familiar with the current-generation Toyota Corolla will feel at home in the new Corolla Cross SUV, thanks to the familiar dash, including the 7- or 8-inch infotainment screens, the shape of the heating, and air conditioning vents, and the design of the steering wheel.
Similarities
Highway fuel economy; 4-cylinder engines.
Mazda CX-30 Benefits
More power; 4-cylinder engines; standard all-wheel drive; sleek styling.
Toyota Corolla Cross Benefits
Strong standard safety features; Toyota reliability reputation.
Which One is Right for Me?
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offers an alternative to the segment’s boxy standard looks. It has a premium look inside and out and offers great power and crisp handling.
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is the brand’s latest on subcompact SUVs. It’s more conventional than its sibling the C-HR and has a competitive feature set.
Ready to buy a Mazda CX-30 or Toyota Corolla Cross? Shop for one on sale now near you
| 2022 Mazda CX-30 | 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter I4 | 2.0-liter I4 |
| Horsepower | 186 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 169 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 150 lb-ft @ 4,400-4,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-spd automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 28 mpg (25 city/33 hwy) | 32 mpg (31 city/33 hwy) |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbo I4 | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | n/a |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.4 inches | 103.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 173.0 inches | 175.6 inches |
| Width | 70.7 inches | 71.9 inches |
| Height | 61.7 inches | 64.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.1 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.3 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.3 inches | 32.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.6 inches | 52.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.6 inches | 52.4 inches |
| EPA Passenger Volume | 94.1 cubic feet | 88.4 cubic feet |
| EPA Cargo Volume | 20.2/45.2 cubic feet | 25.5/ n/a cubic feet |