Compare the2026 Acura ADXVS 2026 Mazda CX-30

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the ADX deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The ADX’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-30’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura ADX achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mazda CX-30 has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the ADX’s standard Hill Descent Control System allow you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control System.

Both the ADX and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The ADX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-30’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the ADX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Mazda.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 7 places higher in reliability than Mazda.

The ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (190 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura ADX is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the ADX gets better mileage than the CX-30:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the ADX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The ADX has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (14 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The ADX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The ADX has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the ADX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

The ADX stops shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the ADX has larger standard tires than the CX-30 (225/55R18 vs. 215/65R16). The ADX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (235/45R19 vs. 215/65R16).

The ADX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The ADX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ADX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The ADX A-Spec’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

The ADX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-30 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Acura ADX has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The ADX has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the ADX flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ADX is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-30.

The ADX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the CX-30’s (62% to 38%). This gives the ADX more stable handling and braking.

The ADX A-Spec AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the CX-30 2.5 S Premium pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The ADX A-Spec AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-30 2.5 S Premium (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The front grille of the ADX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The ADX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the ADX A-Spec AWD is quieter than the CX-30:

The ADX has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (97.3 vs. 94.1).

The ADX has .3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

The ADX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The ADX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the ADX A-Spec’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 10th.

The ADX A-Spec’s optional easy exit feature glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The ADX’s standard Keyless Access System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-30 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The ADX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The CX-30’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The ADX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

Both the Acura ADX and Mazda CX-30 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The ADX offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the CX-30’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the ADX A-Spec keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The ADX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura ADX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-30.

The ADX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura ADX and the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance.