Compare the2022 Mazda CX-30VS 2022 Volvo XC40

The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-30. But it costs extra on the XC40.

Both the CX-30 and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 blind spot warning systems, around view monitors 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 Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Volvo XC40:

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 Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Volvo XC40:

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

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-30 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-30’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-30’s reliability 16 points higher than the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 23rd in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 77 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Volvo is ranked 18th.

The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 2 more horsepower (250 vs. 248) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the XC40 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl. is faster than the XC40 T5:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-30 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the XC40 T5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder AWD (24 city/31 hwy vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-30 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The XC40 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CX-30 stops shorter than the XC40:

The CX-30 Premium handles at .83 G’s, while the XC40 T5 R-Design AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-30 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC40 T5 R-Design AWD (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the XC40’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Volvo XC40.

The CX-30 has .8 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

The CX-30 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-30 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-30 will be $5296 to $8981 less than for the Volvo XC40.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Mazda CX-30 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-30 outsold the Volvo XC40 by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.