Compare the2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In HybridVS 2023 Mazda MX-30

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The MX-30 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the MX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid weighs 460 to 562 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 performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The MX-30 has not been tested, yet.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-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 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the MX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the MX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the MX-30’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the MX-30.

There are over 52 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 12th.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 118 more horsepower (261 vs. 143) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 422 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The MX-30’s range is only 100 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 36 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 13 hours and 40 minutes.

For better traction, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the MX-30 (235/55R19 vs. 215/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the MX-30.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The MX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the MX-30 (108.5 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the MX-30.

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MX-30 (8.3 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 16.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MX-30 (105.9 vs. 89.8).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear headroom, 9.4 inches more rear legroom, 5.4 inches more rear hip room and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the MX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The MX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The MX-30 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability 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 power windows standard on both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the MX-30 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 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.

Both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the MX-30 have standard heated front seats. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the MX-30.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The MX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the MX-30 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 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 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The MX-30 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The MX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Mazda MX-30 by over 541 to one during 2022.