Compare the2023 Honda PassportVS 2023 Mazda CX-30

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Passport are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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

The Passport has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Passport has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium has a rear cross-path warning system.

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

The Honda Passport weighs 704 to 838 pounds more than the Mazda CX-30. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	Passport	CX-30
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	216 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	46/243 lbs.	201/172 lbs.

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, results indicate that the Honda Passport is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

	Passport	CX-30
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	209 lbs.
Hip Force	269 lbs.	275 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	42 G’s	60 G’s
Hip Force	304 lbs.	525 lbs.

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

Warranty

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passport for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-30.

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 Passport’s warranty.

Reliability

The engine in the Passport has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the CX-30 have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Passport has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-30’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Passport’s reliability 19 points higher than the CX-30.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Passport third among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The CX-30 isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Passport’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 89 more horsepower (280 vs. 191) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Passport’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (280 vs. 250) than the CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda Passport is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

	Passport	CX-30
Zero to 30 MPH	2.5 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	8.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	2.9 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	88 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Passport’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 Passport 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 Passport has 6.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (19.5 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Passport 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.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Passport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-30.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Passport	CX-30
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	10.4 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		11.9 inches

The Passport stops shorter than the CX-30:

	Passport	CX-30
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Passport has larger standard tires than the CX-30 (245/60R18 vs. 215/65R16). The Passport EX-L/Elite’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (265/45R20 vs. 215/65R16).

The Passport TrailSport’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The Passport EX-L/Elite’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passport TrailSport has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The Passport EX-L/Elite’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium.

The Passport has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-30 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Passport 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 Passport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Passport flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passport’s wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the CX-30 (110.9 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 5.4 inches wider in the front and 5.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-30.

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-30 (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Passport 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.

Passenger Space

The Passport has 20.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (114.9 vs. 94.1).

The Passport has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 4.5 inches more front hip room, 6.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room and 8.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (41.2 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (77.7 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Passport’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 Passport. The CX-30 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Passport Elite’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.

Towing

The Passport has a 5000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Passport uses the Vehicle Stability Assist sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-30 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Passport’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, 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 Passport 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 Passport 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.

Consumer Reports rated the Passport’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the CX-30’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Passport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-30 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Passport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-30 Carbon/Turbo.

The Passport has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Premium. The Passport Elite also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CX-30.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Passport Elite keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Passport has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Passport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-30.

The Passport TrailSport/Elite has a 115-volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Passport, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mazda CX-30 isn't recommended.

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