Several major carmakers are jumping on the subcompact-crossover bandwagon, including Chevrolet, Jeep, Buick, and FIAT. The Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3 are just two in the growing lineup. With so many to choose from, it’s hard to know which one is just right for you. Let’s take a look at the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3 and compare them. Both the Mazda and the Honda crossovers are new for this year.
Power and Performance
The Mazda CX-3 comes powered by a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. If offers 146-horsepower and 29 mpg* city and 35 mpg* highway when you choose the front-wheel-drive model. Opting for the all-wheel drive will drop your average mileage to 27 mpg* city and 32 mpg*Z highway.
The Honda HR-V comes with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic. It offers 140-horsepower. Choosing the manual tranny will give you up to 25 mpg* city and 34 mpg* highway, while the automatic boosts that to 28 mpg* city and 35 mpg* highway. If you want the all-wheel drive, it comes only with the automatic transmission and averages 27 mpg* city and 32 mpg* highway.
Bottom line is, you probably won’t notice a significant difference in fuel economy between these two.
CX-3 vs. HR-V: Technology
The Mazda CX-3 trumps the basic Honda HR-V in the technology department. The Honda has an excellent blind spot monitoring system called LaneWatch, but it stops there. The Mazda CX-3 adds lane departure warning, a forward collision alert system and automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optionally, you can also add adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam control, automatic transmission paddle shifter, and automatic wipers.
Mazda CX-3 vs. Honda HR-V: Warranty
Both Honda and Mazda offer equal warranties of three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain protection.
CX-3 vs. HR-V: Safety
The Honda HR-V has scored a perfect 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the Mazda CX-3 has yet to be rated. Both have nice safety features, such as a backup camera, antilock brakes, traction control, and side-curtain airbags.
Mazda CX-3 vs. Honda HR-V: Value
The CX-3 does start out a litter higher priced than does the HR-V. However, when you consider that the HR-V comes standard with a stick shift, upgrading that to an automatic to fairly compare it to the CX-3 brings the difference to a mere $45. This difference pretty well maintains itself all the way through the various trim levels. In this category, the two cars run a close tie.
Come down to Berglund Mazda in Salem, Virginia, and let our friendly personnel show you the Mazda CX-3. We can help you select the one that fits your driving needs.
*Based on EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.