2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 was designed with a distinctive aesthetic that set it apart from typical cars, featuring an abundance of charcoal-colored plastic on its lower body. Despite this, the crossover maintained an overall appealing look 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 climate controls were elegantly designed.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier appearance within the Range Rover family, with a taller stance and a shorter wheelbase that contributed to its athletic look. The exterior featured large front air intakes and faux vents, although it appeared somewhat narrow from certain angles. Inside, the Range Rover Sport boasted a minimalist design with a focus on luxury, featuring red leather upholstery and sport seats in the SV Edition 2. The dashboard and center console were smooth and uncluttered, with only essential controls interrupting the sleek design.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Despite these impressive figures, the powertrain was tuned for a gradual build-up of power, providing a smooth and satisfying driving experience. The six-speed automatic transmission shifted flawlessly, and the standard all-wheel-drive system ensured power was effectively distributed to all four wheels. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy was less than stellar, with an observed 21.3 mpg in combined driving. The CX-30 excelled in handling, offering a nimble and connected ride, making it enjoyable to drive on various terrains.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 355 horsepower, while the Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp. The Autobiography trim included a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 543 hp, and the SV Edition Two boasted a twin-turbo BMW V8 with 626 hp. The SV Edition Two was the most powerful Range Rover model, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both performance and luxury, with sport-tuned air suspension and advanced handling features enhancing its agility and ride quality.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 featured a well-designed interior with quality materials and logical controls. The cabin included a three-gauge, partial digital instrumentation setup and a traditional PRNDL shifter. While the front seats were comfortable and easy to adjust, the rear seat space was limited. The cargo area offered 20.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, providing practical storage options for a small SUV.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered ample space for front-seat occupants, though rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors. The cargo area provided 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport's towing capacity was impressive, with turbo-six and V8 models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds. The interior featured deep door pockets and large cupholders, enhancing practicality.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's turbocharged versions came with a new 10.25-inch infotainment display, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with touchscreen functionality. However, the screen's placement was far from the driver and passenger, and the voice recognition system required following on-screen prompts. The CX-30 included a three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services and new USB-C ports for connectivity.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The minimalist design had some functional drawbacks, as many controls required screen interaction. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 prioritized safety with new standard features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat alert system. These joined existing features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-30 earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, ensuring peace of mind for drivers.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though the parking sensors were overly sensitive. At the time of publication, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the current-generation Range Rover Sport.