Compare the2024 Volvo C40 RechargeVS 2023 Mazda MX-30

The C40 Recharge’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The MX-30 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The C40 Recharge has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The MX-30 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The C40 Recharge has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The C40 Recharge has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The MX-30 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the C40 Recharge’s standard Hill Descent Control allow you to creep down safely. The MX-30 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the C40 Recharge and the MX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Volvo C40 Recharge weighs 1115 pounds more than the Mazda MX-30. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the C40 Recharge its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The MX-30 has not been tested, yet.

The C40 Recharge comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The MX-30’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The C40 Recharge’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the MX-30’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the C40 Recharge for 4 years and 40,000 miles. Volvo will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the MX-30.

The C40 Recharge’s standard electric motor produces 105 more horsepower (248 vs. 143) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor. The C40 Recharge’s optional electric motors produces 259 more horsepower (402 vs. 143) and 294 lbs.-ft. more torque (494 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volvo C40 Recharge electric motors is faster than the Mazda MX-30:

On the EPA test cycle the C40 Recharge gets better mileage than the MX-30:

The C40 Recharge can travel longer on a full charge than the MX-30 on a full charge:

For better stopping power the C40 Recharge’s brake rotors are larger than those on the MX-30:

The C40 Recharge’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MX-30 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the C40 Recharge has larger tires than the MX-30 (235/45R20 vs. 215/55R18).

The C40 Recharge Core’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MX-30’s standard 55 series tires. The C40 Recharge’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the MX-30’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the C40 Recharge Core has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the MX-30. The C40 Recharge offers optional 20-inch wheels.

For superior ride and handling, the Volvo C40 Recharge 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 MX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The C40 Recharge has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the C40 Recharge flat and controlled during cornering. The MX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The C40 Recharge has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The MX-30 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the C40 Recharge’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the MX-30 (106.4 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the C40 Recharge is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the MX-30.

For greater off-road capability the C40 Recharge has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MX-30 (6.7 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the C40 Recharge to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The C40 Recharge has .9 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 6 inches more rear legroom, 6.1 inches more rear hip room and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the MX-30.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the C40 Recharge’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MX-30 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the C40 Recharge’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The C40 Recharge has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The MX-30 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the C40 Recharge uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The MX-30 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The C40 Recharge uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The MX-30 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the MX-30, the C40 Recharge has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The power windows standard on both the C40 Recharge and the MX-30 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the C40 Recharge is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MX-30 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the C40 Recharge the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the MX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the C40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The MX-30 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the C40 Recharge and the MX-30 have standard heated front seats. The C40 Recharge also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the MX-30.

The C40 Recharge’s 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. The MX-30 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the C40 Recharge and the MX-30 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the C40 Recharge has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The MX-30 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo C40 Recharge has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The MX-30 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the C40 Recharge second among small premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The MX-30 isn’t in the top three.

The Volvo C40 Recharge outsold the Mazda MX-30 by almost 66 to one during 2023.