Kia XCeed vs Mazda CX30 im Test

Today, compact athletes have nothing to do with machines with around 200 hp – now it should be at least 250, 280 or even more horsepower. For civilian models in the Golf class, however, 200 hp is quite enough as a top engine.

In this comparison, there are different four-cylinder petrol engines in the Kia XCeed GT-Line and the Mazda CX-30 Exclusive Line. Kia boosts the 1.6-liter to 204 hp and 265 Nm via a turbocharger. Mazda’s E-Skyactiv Compressor provides the engine with enough air so that it can auto-ignite in diesel mode depending on the load, which is invisible. Key data: 186 HP, 240 Nm, manual transmission.

At 7.3 to 8.5 l/100 km, Mazda used relatively little in the test, which does not offer much savings in terms of overall costs. The difference in power delivery is more important, because the CX-30 behaves in a normal way, so with two liters of displacement it starts slowly at the bottom and continues quite well at the top.
The near-instant response, together with the easy-to-control clutch, ensures smooth starting behavior, with plenty of power. If you drive to save fuel, you usually have to downshift two, sometimes three gears to achieve sufficient speed – with precise lever guidance on short distances and a well-defined closing sensation. Does that still sound offensive to you? The six-speed automatic transmission in our long-term test CX-30 shifts gears more comfortably than usual today, but perhaps still quickly enough.

Goodbye, 1.6 T-GDI

The Kia engine is always mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission at the factory, at least until it is discontinued in April. The reason? Kia is telling us something heartless about its electrification strategy. It hurts, but let’s move on: The transmission changes intelligently, quickly and does not spin unnecessarily in gears when the engine torque is currently sufficient to make good progress.

This is also the high degree of freedom of the turbo petrol engine, which seems to have a lot of power despite its indirect reaction behavior because the minimum speed is sufficient. He can only be impressed by the CX-30’s sophisticated, smooth automatic start system (“i-stop”). The XCeed’s petrol engine also sounds more powerful than the Mazda CX-30’s, but with a sportier note. That’s right in this case, because the top reaches 220 instead of 204 km / h, and on the test site it reduces the Mazda to the red dot on the rear glass: 100 to 180 km / h in 18.6 to 23.4 seconds. The impressive gap cannot be explained by the difference of 18 HP, but according to our database we can say: Kia is not very fast in its performance, but Mazda is below average with 186 HP. 33.9 meters from 100 to 0 km / h are enough for him – Kia

In slalom and when changing lanes, the Korean has the upper hand again, which is also due to its more permissive ESP. On land, two front-wheel drive cars corner hard and do the same. Although the operation of the But even if the GT-Line does not have shift paddles, so only the selector remains. You have to pull it all the way down, even though the power goes forward when braking. Just let it automatically do it? It doesn’t always set the correct level in game mode.

It is the position that matters

The GT-Line seats are completely sporty, without the pronounced rear cushions, and have a reserved shape on the seat surface, which ensures good everyday comfort. Mazda doesn’t prioritize lateral support, but it arranges the seat and armrests with padding so you can comfortably hold the steering wheel with your arms supported.

The Japanese have another special feature with the infotainment rotary switch. Touching the fields? Not even one. Even the monitor only accepts touch input when stationary, though it’s too far from the driver for that. Especially because of this distance, a large screen will be correct, which does not change the good operation through the rotary switch. You can also slide in four directions, for example to select other levels within Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

In addition to two rotary controls for audio and map amplification as well as steering wheel volume buttons, Kia’s infotainment is controlled by touch. This works well on the nearest, larger screen, although you have to click on small parts of the image and text more often. The same applies to the rest of the operation: no touch, only classic input functions.

One button against ringing

Mazda also ditches the traditional speedometer and on-board computer unit, but uses a projector behind it as the standard for the windshield display, which also displays invisible warnings. Because the Mazda CX-30 in the 2024 model year already complies with EU regulations, which require warnings to sound when (allegedly) exceeding the speed limit, you now press the new mute button near the steering wheel before every trip.

Why do you turn it off? The recognition of the traffic signal in these two crossings works with a standard error rate – ie incorrectly. Kia XCeed Pros: It doesn’t pay off yet, but it should by summer.

What about features valued by car buyers? Kia XCeed 1.6 T-GDI heated outer seats in the back seat, the back of which is divided into three parts instead of two. Mazda counters with a 360-degree camera system that delivers higher image quality than the XCeed’s rear camera. Its speedometer display misses the point because it can only display cursor movement. Both crossovers also have a tire pressure display, automatic hold and electric gates. Do you like listening to music? In the GT-Line, the standard JBL system plays better and has more bass than the Bose depth system in the Mazda CX-30 E-Skyactiv x, which costs extra.

We do not add that to the price of the test car, 1,600 euros for the multi-point Matrix LED headlights do – considering the assessed prices, it still remains 2,290 euros cheaper than the Kia. For basic equipment and tested drives, the difference increases to 6,800 euros.

The cost estimate is only for Mazda, which offers a six-year warranty (Kia: seven years). The XCeed would win the property rating for best stopping power, but ultimately lost due to its poor handling. The winner for that is: Mazda CX-30.