Compare the2026 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2026 Mazda CX-30

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 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 Tucson Hybrid’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tucson Hybrid has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium offers Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Tucson Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-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 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-30’s (7 vs. 5 years).

There are over 57 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tucson Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

The Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (231 vs. 186) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Tucson Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tucson Hybrid’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. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Tucson Hybrid has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (13.7 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (4 to 6). This means the Tucson Hybrid produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

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

The Tucson Hybrid stops much shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the Tucson Hybrid has larger tires than the CX-30 (235/65R17 vs. 215/65R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Hybrid Blue SE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 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 Tucson Hybrid has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Hybrid’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the CX-30 (108.5 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Hybrid is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-30.

The Tucson Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59% to 41%) than the CX-30’s (62% to 38%). This gives the Tucson Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited handles at .84 G’s, while the CX-30 pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the CX-30 2.5 S Premium (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-30 (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Tucson Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Tucson Hybrid 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 Tucson Hybrid has 13.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (107.9 vs. 94.1).

The Tucson Hybrid has 2 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 5 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (74.5 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-30 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson Hybrid’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind 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.

The Tucson Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-30 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system 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 Tucson Hybrid’s standard Proximity Key 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. Pushbutton Start is not available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the CX-30 offer available heated front seats. The Tucson Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CX-30.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Hybrid Limited 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 Tucson Hybrid 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.

Compared to traditional radio, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Mazda CX-30 by over two to one during 2024.