2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The “Dieselgate” emissions scandal forced Volkswagen to double down on electric cars, and now we’re finally seeing the first result of that: the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover.

VW has made an electric car before, but its last attempt, the e-Golf, was built to satisfy emissions standards, not rack up sales. It was barely advertised, and it was sold only in certain locations. With the ID.4, it will launch in the three largest Canadian EV markets—British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario—and will even be built in North America, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, starting in 2022. Volkswagen views the ID.4 as a rival not to other EVs, but to mainstream gasoline vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Being late to the party means there are already several other EVs trying to coax new-car buyers away from internal combustion, however. If you want a reasonably priced EV, the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia Niro EV already exist, and General Motors has the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV—a new variant of the Chevy Bolt EV with a crossover body style similar to the Volkswagen.

Our test car was an ID.4 1st Edition, a U.S.-only model released to commemorates the car’s launch. Its closest Canadian equivalent is the ID.4 RWD Pro with the Statement Package.

As a brand, Mazda has been punching above its weight for well over a decade now. Whether it’s the three-row CX-9 SUV or Mazda3 compact car, you can expect a higher-quality interior and a more refined ride than respective rivals in a given segment. This is no different for the 2022 Mazda CX-30.

The CX-30 is a subcompact crossover SUV introduced as a 2020 model, supplementing the similar-sized Mazda CX-3. It carries over to the 2022 model year, just as the CX-3 has been discontinued. The CX-30 addresses the shortcomings of the CX-3 without losing any of that crossover’s positive attributes. The CX-30 has a more spacious cabin than the CX-3, but retains the fun-to-drive nature, and has an even more upscale cabin. Read on to learn how Mazda’s new subcompact SUV stands out within this popular vehicle segment.