The 2023 Mazda CX-30 and the Nissan Kicks: See how these affordable compact SUVs compare

2023 Mazda CX-30

Among mainstream car brands, Mazda
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is the critical darling. Automotive journalists who drive dozens of cars a year tend to love Mazda’s taut-handling cars with interiors that feel upscale for the price. The 2023 Mazda CX-30 is its least-expensive SUV. If you want to love driving and not spend much, this could be the right vehicle for you. Pricing starts at $22,950.

Mazda CX-30 highlights

Standard all-wheel drive (AWD): Mazda
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makes grippy, winter-friendly all-wheel drive standard on every one of its SUVs for 2023. Nissan
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doesn’t even offer it on the Kicks. If you live where it routinely snows, that factor alone might make this decision for you.

Those Mazda road manners: The secret ingredient in Mazda sauce is torque vectoring. A technology usually reserved for luxury cars, it brakes each wheel individually to help point the car into corners without much body roll. It’s standard on the CX-30, and frankly, it’s shocking to find it at this price.

Read the full review: The 2023 Mazda CX-30 review: Mazda adds a little more zip to its subcompact crossover

More power in every form: Nissan
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skimped on power to get the Kicks’ price down. Our test driver described its 122-horsepower engine as “lackluster.” Mazda sells the CX-30 with either a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder or a turbocharged model with 250 horses (with premium fuel — 227 with regular).

Also check out: The 2023 Ford Escape: What’s new, pricing, and more for this restyled compact SUV

2023 Nissan Kicks

Nissan answers with spunk and space. The 2023 Nissan Kicks lacks an AWD option but saves you money with a low up-front price and great fuel economy, and brings more cargo space than most subcompacts and great (available) two-tone styling in its place. The Kicks starts at just $20,440.

Nissan Kicks highlights

Lots of car for the money: The Kicks almost slips under the $20,000 line – a real rarity in the 2023 model year. For that low price, you get a new car under warranty, smartphone integration, advanced safety features, and a fun attitude.

Roomy cabin: Buying a car this small might worry you, but the Kicks has you covered. It has more cargo space behind the rear seats than the CX-30, and it beats the CX-30 in headspace, too — a consideration for taller shoppers.

Fuel economy: Nissan gave the Kicks a small engine, front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable transmission. That combination is good at one thing – fuel economy. The EPA estimates that Kicks drivers could spend as little as $1,650 in annual fuel costs. CX-30 drivers can expect to spend $1,850 or $2,150, depending on which engine they choose.

Also see: Need a fuel efficient, run-about-town compact SUV? Check out the 2023 Hyundai Kona.

Similarities

The CX-30 and the Kicks both carry sticker prices under $25,000 and identical warranties.

Conclusion

Neither the Mazda CX-30 nor the Nissan Kicks will leave your wallet hurting. But, beyond price, they have very different virtues.

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The CX-30 is fun to drive, more powerful, and includes standard AWD. That makes it a budget choice for driving enthusiasts and a great choice for those who contend with snowy roads. The Nissan Kicks is cheaper and adds fun styling and more space at a lower starting price.

Specifications

 This story originally ran on KBB.com.