2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2026 Mazda CX-30

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 was offered in eight trim levels, all featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. The trims ranged from the base S to the Turbo Premium Plus, with prices spanning from $27,870 to $39,395, including destination charges. The S Aire Edition, priced at $33,130, was noted for its premium aesthetic, featuring blacked-out exterior trim, white artificial leather upholstery, and suede-like dashboard trim. The Aero Gray paint provided a striking contrast with the black details, enhancing the upscale feel of the vehicle. Despite its premium look, the CX-30 was considered reasonably priced for a small SUV.

The interior of the CX-30 was praised for its control layout and displays, although the Mazda Connect infotainment system required a learning curve. Once accustomed, users found the controls intuitive. The Aire Edition's interior was described as upscale, with light gray contrast stitching and a combination of cloth and simulated suede inserts. The overall impression was that the CX-30 offered a high-end experience at a competitive price point.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that included a new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks, enhancing utility without compromising the vehicle's elegant design. The interior featured a modern design with strong horizontal lines and a 12-inch infotainment screen, complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats were comfortable and highly adjustable, suitable for long drives.

The Grand Wagoneer's cabin was noted for its premium materials, with options for Nappa and Palermo leather in upper trims. The solid metal gearshift dial and the overall fit and finish were appreciated. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, with large windows and squared-off corners aiding visibility. The vehicle absorbed road imperfections well, and the seats provided comfort for extended periods behind the wheel.

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across all models, with higher trims offering a turbocharged version. The standard engine produced 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged variant delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system. The CX-30's fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined for the standard engine and 25 mpg for the turbo. During testing, the naturally aspirated S Aire Edition averaged 28.5 mpg on a mixed driving loop.

The CX-30 was praised for its engaging driving dynamics, aided by G-Vectoring Control Plus technology and a brake-based limited-slip differential. These features, along with precise steering and responsive brakes, made the CX-30 enjoyable to drive. Despite its modest ground clearance of 8.0 inches, the CX-30 was capable off-road, thanks to its AWD system and Off-Road Traction Assist feature.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, producing 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even for a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain, offering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, with a total range of over 500 miles.

Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was agile and easy to drive, with its size helping to absorb road imperfections. The vehicle was quiet, with minimal tire and wind noise, and the seats were comfortable for long drives. The Grand Wagoneer was well-suited for both highway cruising and light off-roading, thanks to its Quadra-Lift air suspension and all-terrain tires.

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 had some limitations in terms of practicality and utility. While it sat high off the ground, small door openings made entry and exit challenging. The back seat was tight for adults, and the cargo area was small for the segment, offering 20.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The air conditioning system struggled in hot weather, and rear USB charging ports were not available.

The front seats were comfortable but snug, with only the driver's seat offering height adjustment. Storage space was reasonable, with a roomy bin under the center armrest and sizable cupholders. However, the air conditioning system was slow to cool the interior and was loud. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30 offered a spare tire under the cargo floor, which was a practical feature.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows providing ample leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for seating up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. The Grand Wagoneer offered 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which could be expanded to 42.6 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version.

The Grand Wagoneer was equipped with three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats. The Upland trim included Quadra-Lift air suspension, front recovery hooks, skid plates, and all-terrain tires, making it suitable for light off-roading. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped, adding to its versatility.

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, available with two screen sizes and varying functionality. The base S trim included an 8.8-inch display, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims offered wireless connectivity, a larger 10.25-inch screen, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system. However, the system's native interface was only accessible via a center console knob, which required a learning curve.

The CX-30's voice recognition technology was lacking, often failing to understand commands. Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided more reliable alternatives. The system's stair-step approach to features was typical, but the lack of touchscreen operation for the native interface was a drawback.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.25-inch digital cluster. Additional features included a wireless phone charger, hands-free power liftgate, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, and a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system.

While the tech generally worked well, the wireless phone charger was ineffective during testing, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size. The Grand Wagoneer no longer offered adjustable pedals, a feature available in previous models. Despite these issues, the Grand Wagoneer's tech offerings were comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 boasted an impressive array of standard and available safety features, earning favorable crash-test ratings. Standard systems included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added parking sensors, rear automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-30 received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS.

During testing, the adaptive cruise control system generally performed well, though it occasionally scrubbed too much speed on sharp curves. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were mostly reliable, but sometimes struggled with lane detection. The CX-30's driver assistance display effectively reduced distraction by showing vehicles in blind spots.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitors. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Upland trim also featured trailer detection and trailer-brake control.

The Grand Wagoneer's safety features were particularly beneficial given its large size, with blind-spot monitors and the surround-view camera system aiding navigation in tight spaces. The vehicle received mixed ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with some lower scores in crash tests due to potential injury risks.