Compare the2022 Honda CR-VVS 2021 Mazda CX-30

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-30’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the CR-V and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CR-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 17th in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

The CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (190 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the CX-30:

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the CR-V’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda CR-V uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CR-V has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 AWD’s standard fuel tank (14 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the CR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

The CR-V stops much shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the CX-30 (235/65R17 vs. 215/65R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V LX/SE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The CR-V Touring’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Premium.

For superior ride and handling, the Honda CR-V has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CR-V flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-30.

The CR-V Touring handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-30 Premium AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-30 Premium AWD (27.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-30 (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the CR-V uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The CR-V has 11.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (105.9 vs. 94.1).

The CR-V has 2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (39.2 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (75.8 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-30 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The CX-30 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CR-V Touring’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The CR-V has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

The CR-V EX-L/Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CR-V has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the CX-30 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The CR-V EX/EX-L/Touring’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-30 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

On extremely cold winter days, the CR-V Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the CR-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CR-V will cost $200 less than the CX-30 over a five-year period.

The CR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CR-V will retain 51.86% to 55.49% of its original price after five years, while the CX-30 only retains 48.52% to 48.83%.

The Honda CR-V has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The CX-30 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The CX-30 has never been chosen.