Turbocharged four-cylinder engine added to the lineup.Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now standard.12-speaker Bose stereo available with Premium Package only.
PROS Upscale interior design and build quality Advanced safety features come standard Poised handling and refined ride quality
CONS Transmission can be slow to downshift Significant rear blind spots Below-average fuel economy
For the CX-30's sophomore year, Mazda's made virtually no changes to it other than making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both standard features. Mazda also announced the addition of an optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that makes 250-hp.
PROS Eager driving dynamics, near-luxury interior trimmings, plenty of standard tech goodies.
CONS Could stand a few more horsepower, offers little added practicality over the Mazda 3 hatchback, occasional transmission stumbles.
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is great-looking, spacious, and more polished and fun-to-drive than other compact competitors, but it’s a step behind in value and features.
PROS Great proportions and styling Polished powertrain Standard active-safety suite Spacious interior layout.
CONS More expensive than alternatives Frustrating options packages Lacks a touchscreen
All-new plug-in hybrid model
Pros Impressive number of standard and optional features Lots of second- and third-row legroom for the class Sharp-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system
Cons Not as compact as the last-generation Sorento
A plug-in-hybrid model joins the Sorento lineup for the 2022 model year. Its powertrain combines a turbocharged four-cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor for a total system output of 261 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, and Kia claims the plug-in Sorento has a combined fuel-economy rating of 79 MPGe and an electric-only range of 32 miles. While we don't know how much the PHEV variant will cost, we know it'll be offered in two top-tier trims: SX and SX-P.
Pros Looks classy and rugged inside and out, lots of powertrain options, pleasant to drive, and comfy to ride in.
Cons Adults should avoid the third row, bigger touchscreen skips wireless smartphone mirroring, cargo space can be compromised.
