2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 presented a distinctive design with its excessive charcoal-colored plastic cladding on the lower body, which some found overwhelming. Despite this, the crossover maintained an overall appealing aesthetic with its short overhangs, long hood, and sculpted sides. The interior of the CX-30 was a standout, offering a level of style and refinement comparable to entry-level luxury SUVs. The gauges were clear, the infotainment screen was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and the dual-zone climate controls were elegantly designed.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, with its black-on-black color scheme, was less visually appealing in a tropical setting. However, once inside, the color became irrelevant, especially with the windows down and roof panels removed. The Wrangler's design drew heavily on its military heritage, emphasizing ruggedness and capability. The interior was functional, with a focus on durability over luxury, featuring a gray fabric dashboard trim and metallic accents. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Wrangler's design evoked a sense of American freedom and adventure.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The power delivery was smooth, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm, creating a gradual build-up rather than an immediate surge. The six-speed automatic transmission provided flawless shifting, and the standard all-wheel-drive system ensured power was effectively distributed to all four wheels. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy was a downside, with an observed 21.3 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. Despite this, the CX-30 was fun to drive, offering nimble handling and excellent visibility.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a livelier feel at higher elevations and slightly better fuel efficiency with an EPA rating of 21 mpg. During testing in Hawaii, the Wrangler averaged 19.2 mpg. The Wrangler excelled in off-road capabilities, with standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles. However, its on-road performance was less refined, with a rough ride and disconnected steering feel.

Inside the 2024 Mazda CX-30, the design was marked by quality materials and logical controls. The three-gauge, partial digital instrumentation was a highlight, and the traditional PRNDL shifter was easy to use. The cabin featured gloss black trim, metallic accents, and exposed stitching, with Terracotta leather seats adding a touch of color. While the interior space was cramped, especially in the back seat, the front seats were comfortable and heated. Cargo space was flexible, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery suitable for any climate. The Convenience Group option added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of the plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in cupholders. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately, but the cargo hold offered 31.7 cubic feet of space, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's turbocharged versions featured a new 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen's location was far from the driver, but it represented an improvement over previous static displays. Mazda's system relied on a combination of controls to reduce driver distraction, though the lack of natural voice recognition was a drawback. All CX-30s included a three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services, with additional features like USB-C ports and a Bose premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was a highlight, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display between the analog gauges, passive entry, and a remote engine starting system. Rear parking sensors were part of the optional Active Safety Group, enhancing the Wrangler's practicality.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 emphasized safety with new standard features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat alert system. These joined a suite of driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-30 earned top safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags as standard equipment, a significant safety enhancement. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. The Wrangler's crash test results were mixed, with a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler as Good in side-impact protection but Marginal in the small overlap frontal-impact test.