Toyota Camry or Mazda CX-30?

I currently have a Mazda CX-5 on lease, and am about to bring it back. No longer needing an SUV of this size, I am thinking of replacing it with a Toyota Camry or a Mazda CX-30. I know it’s a funny choice, but these two models appeal to me a lot. Also, should I go for all-wheel drive?

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Hello Normand,

Shopping for a new vehicle is exciting, and sometimes you like two vehicles that are not in the same category at all. No harm in that!

The Camry, to begin with, is a midsize sedan with legendary reliability. It’s available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out just over 200 horsepower, or a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine that puts out over 300 horsepower, if you’re into the thrill. You can also have it in a hybrid model, or in a four-wheel drive version… only with the four-cylinder engine.

As for the Mazda CX-30, it is in fact a Mazda3 converted to an SUV. It is therefore available with the same powertrains, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, developing 155 horsepower and 150 pounds of torque, and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, developing 186 horsepower and 186 pounds of torque. It is possible to opt for all-wheel drive with the 2.5-liter engine.

To come back to your dilemma, ask yourself what you really need.

The CX-30, in addition to offering a sportier ride, is more practical than a Camry, because of its tailgate which makes it possible to easily load larger objects. Thanks to a suspension with a longer travel, it can be considered more comfortable than a Camry on bad pavement. That said, the comfort of a midsize sedan like the Camry is hard to beat on an asphalt road.

What’s more, it will soon be available with a turbocharged four-cylinder that will develop over 250 horsepower!

Even so, the Camry is still a great choice, and with a 300 horsepower V6, it’s still the more energetic of the two, if that’s something that’s important to you.

As for the question of all-wheel drive, it is still practical in Quebec. Plus, if you’re buying instead of renting, know that an all-wheel drive makes reselling easier, and will allow you to get more value down the line.

Good luck with your procedures!