2024 Buick Envista vs 2024 Mazda CX-30

The Run Down

The subcompact SUV market is a fiercely competitive space due to consumer demand within the segment. This has pushed automakers to provide the best small SUV they can, which has created a healthy range of price points for these subcompact SUV offerings. Two of these small SUVs that have risen to the surface as big players in the space are the 2024 Buick Envista and the 2024 Mazda CX-30. Consumers will likely find themselves shopping between the two models, and mostly weighing the pros and cons of pricing vs features.

Exterior and Interior Similarities and Differences

When comparing the 2024 Envista and 2024 CX-30, the first thing you should take into account is the fact the Envista is both longer and wider than the CX-30. The CX-30, however, is around 1 inch taller than the Envista which is in line with its more rugged appearance.

2024 Buick Envista Dimensions: 183 inches long, 72 inches wide, 61 inches high

2024 Mazda CX-30 Dimensions: 173 inches long, 71 inches wide, 62 inches high

2024 Buick Envista Cargo Volume: 20.7 cubic feet, 42 cubic feet with seat area

2024 Buick Envista Interior Space: Front/Rear Headroom: 39.4 inches/37.30 inches. Front/Rear Legroom: 41.90 inches/38.70 inches

2024 Mazda CX-30 Cargo Volume: 20.2 cubic feet, 45.2 cubic feet with seat area

2024 Mazda CX-30 Interior Space: Front/Rear Headroom: 38.1 inches/38.3 inches. Front/Rear Legroom: 41.7 inches/36.3 inches

Price and Trim Level Similarities and Differences

One of the largest differentiating features between the 2024 Buick Envista and the 2024 Mazda CX-30 is the price point. The 2024 CX-30 starts at $24,995 while the 2024 Envista starts at only $22,400. This stark price difference will typically sway people one way or the other, but the 2024 Envista has a lot of features for having such a low and reasonable price point. The trim spread is a stark difference between the two as well, with the Envista offering 3 distinct trim levels while the CX-30 offers 8. The simplicity of the 2024 Buick Envista’s trim level lineup is a huge selling point as it is simple and does not overwhelm you as a customer.

2024 Buick Envista Trim Levels

• Preferred: Starting at $22,400, the Preferred trim is the lowest on the totem of trims, however, it leaves little to be desired, especially for the price. You receive an 11-inch diagonal Infotainment Screen, an 8-inch diagonal Driver Infotainment Center, automatic climate control, LED lighting, and more.
• Sport Touring (ST): Starting at $24,100, exclusive to this trim are ST embroidered front headrests, Sport Touring grille, 18″ high-gloss black wheels, additional gloss black accents throughout, and more.
• Avenir: Starting at $28,600, in a similar fashion to the ST, you get embroidered front headrests and upgraded wheels, this time in 19″ aluminum form. You also get standard heated front seats, power liftgate, heated steering wheel, remote start, leather seats, wireless smartphone charging, and more.

2024 Mazda CX-30 Trim Levels

• 2.5 S: starting at $24,995, the 2.5s is the barebones option when choosing a CX-30. Despite this, it still has some great standard features such as remote entry, Apple CarPlay, and standard AWD.
• 2.5 S Select Sport: starting at $26,500, the Select Sport features all the goodies from the 2.5s PLUS items such as leatherette-trimmed seats and steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
• 2.5 S Preferred: starting at $28,790, the Preferred follows a similar suit giving you all the Select Sport features plus items such as an 8-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats.
• 2.5 S Carbon Edition: starting at $29,790, the Carbon Edition takes the exterior design a step further with Polymetal Gray Metallic paint with red leather upholstery on the inside to supplement this sporty look.
• 2.5 S Premium: starting at $31,990, the Premium is exactly what it sounds like as it includes either black or white leather upholstery, paddle shifters, and a banging Bose 12-speaker premium audio system.
• 2.5 S Carbon Turbo: starting at $32,790, the highlight of this trim is the addition of a 250-horsepower turbocharged engine.
• 2.5 S Turbo Premium: starting at $34,990, the Turbo Premium is quite literally all the Premium features plus the turbocharged engine found in the Carbon Turbo.
• 2.5 S Premium Plus: starting at $36,800, the pinnacle of the trim lineup includes all 2.5 Turbo Premium features plus parking sensors, surround-view parking cameras, and traffic jam assist.

Powertrain and Efficiency Similarities and Differences

Both the 2024 Envista and 2024 CX-30 are not lacking in power or efficiency, however, there are some key differences between the two that one must consider when making the purchase decision. The 2024 Envisa is powered by a potent 1.2-liter turbocharged ECOTEC motor that pumps out 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and is put to the ground through a front-wheel drive system. The 2024 CX-30, on the other hand, has two different engine setups available with one being a premium option in the higher trim levels. The standard engine option within the 2024 CX-30 is a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, a slight power improvement over the Envista. In the Turbo trim levels, you get a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that pumps out 250 horsepower, a substantial increase over the Envista’s power. This comes at a cost though, as the first trim level that offers a turbocharged engine is the CX-30 Carbon Turbo, which starts at $32,790. This is a substantially larger starting price than the Avenir trim, which sits at the peak of the Envista’s trim lineup. Another differentiating feature between the 2024 Envista and the 2024 CX-30 is the fact the CX-3o comes with standard all-wheel drive whereas the Envista is only available in front-wheel drive. This, similar to the Turbo engine option, comes at a cost as the CX-30 naturally starts at a higher price than the Envista.

2024 Buick Envista MPG: 28 city/32 highway

2024 Mazda CX-30 MPG: 26 city/33 highway (2.5 non-turbo) and 22 city/30 highway (2.5 turbo)

The Buick Envista beats out both engine options of the 2024 CX-30 in terms of MPG city and is only a hair behind in terms of highway MPG. The Envista is a great option for city commutes, and an efficient vehicle all around.

Safety and Technology Similarities and Differences

The 2024 Buick Envista prioritizes safety and focuses on getting you and your precious cargo to your destination with peace of mind. The Envista comes standard with Buick Driver Confidence Safety Suite as well as 6 standard safety and driver-assistance technologies.

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Following Distance Indicator
• Forward Collision Alert
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• IntelliBeam Auto High Beams
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning

On top of these standard safety features, Buick offers a wide range of additional safety features that can be optioned at extra cost or found in the higher trim levels of the vehicle.

The 2024 CX-30 is no slouch either in terms of driver and passenger safety as it comes with its own assortment of standard safety features. The CX-30 features standard blind spot monitoring, landed departure warning, and lane keep assist. Similar to the Envista, there is a wide array of available safety features such as a 360-degree view camera which can help the driver navigate in tight spaces. The 2024 CX-3o, being an all-wheel drive, offers some added performance in poor weather conditions. but the Envista being front-wheel drive and front-engined, will have sufficient grip in these same conditions.

The Verdict

In many aspects, the CX-30 may seem to beat out the Envista, but this is when you take overall price and value out of the equation. If you are a budget-focused small-SUV buyer, the Envista is likely the perfect vehicle for you. With a low price point, a plethora of standard safety and comfort features, and a striking design, the Envista is a great choice. The CX-3o offers overall more features, a more powerful engine, and all-wheel drive, but the higher price point pushes it into a new category of small-SUV vehicles to cross-shop which becomes a much more competitive space.