2024 Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek vs Mazda CX-30 vs Hyundai Kona / Boss Battle

If you want versatility without an astronomical price, you were probably considering a tiny crossover. Here are four of the best selling models in the US, let’s put them head-to-head and see which one comes out on top! Honorable mentions include the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and probably a few I can't think of.

Thank you, Royal on the Eastside, for letting me test drive the Subaru Crosstrek!

Thank you, Royal South Mazda, for letting me test drive the Mazda CX-30!

Thank you, Emily Hibbard, for being a nice girlfriend with a nice Honda HR-V!

Honda HR-V Review
Mazda CX-30 Review

Subaru Crosstrek Review

Hyundai Kona Review

Subaru with Kahan Raj - Water Wading Crosstrek

Car Question - CX-30 AWD Test

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[Arcticfox]

Another positive thing. Mazda offers 0% APR for 36 months on all new 2024.

[Grimesitty]

My wife owns a CX-30, I own a 2023 Kona N. her car if you want something that has a bit of grunt but also feels luxurious Mazda is the way to go. Feels like you're driving a 70k car when you're in those things

[Cali_]

I like mazda cx30 but i hate the thick cladding but drive wise mazda is the best of them all. crostrick is good looking car. mazda cx5 owner here and I love it!!

[Hexsyn]

Thank you for including Subaru on the comparison. I feel so many other channels don't.

[ij]

I was shopping for a vehicle until recently, considered both new and used. New colleague of mine had just purchased a CX-30 on the used market. I finally decided on a used CX5 as well. Car was in great condition and I paid little less than 20% more compared to their CX-30. So yeah I'd recommend considering the CX5 as well for not much more

[babychelf]

Dude that's exactly what I tell everyone, the current mazdas are just so engaging to drive, my 2020 m3 hatch has a heavy ass weight to the wheel and it feels so dam good lol

[RalphNardell]

"....sure to spark up conversation at Trader Joe's..." lol. that was great.

[OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

We had a rental 2024 Crosstrek Premium, as the Wife's 2020 Outback was in the shop, and I daily a 18 Forester 6MT. Gotta say, that Crosstrek was quiet, massive view, quiet, plenty of gettyup, quiet, easy fit two car seats, quiet, surprising amount of trunk space, and quiet. I considering a used third car, and that Crosstrek is making a lot of sense.

[CBJFAN]

Leaning towards the Kona. I haven't test driven the CX-30, but I did test drive the HR-V and the Crosstrek. The Crosstrek was a no-go because I'm 5'11 and I couldn't see out the front windshield that well. With the HR-V, I drove both the 2025 Sport and the EX-L. Loved the way they drove, but there was a faint ticking noise when I drove both on the highway. Ruled those out.

[dystopia-usa]

When I was shopping around in 2022 & purchased my latest new vehicle to replace a problematic 2020 Toyota I wasn't happy with, the CX-30 was easily the best compact-sized crossover (IMO) in its price segment for people who still like/prefer smaller vehicles in this sad US market of no true subcompacts, limited true compact offering & mostly just large vehicles. I've been happy with my 2022 CX-30 CE for about 28 months now. Not a single problem or defect to report. I would consider the Lexus LBX (a true subcompact crossover) if they ever brought it to the USA - but I predict that they won't.

[guidosarduci]

I did cross shop. Mazda CX30 Turbo Premium won my wallet. Mazda is smooth, powerful, quiet. Interior is quiet, well put together. With the turbo it tops everything in this class.

[stevenjames]

I know I'm howling at the moon here, but I'd buy the Honda - if it came with a manual transmission. As it is, since I live in a warm weather state and don't need AWD, I plan on buying a Mazda3 Hatchback with a manual.

[wackit]

That Honda HRV has a kisser that only a mother could love.🥴

[josesamalot]

If you dont mind about rear space the Mazda is the best

[Unchainedmaple]

All of them need a competent and potent hybrid option. Idk why Mazda hasn't taken the Corolla Cross hybrid system and stuck it into a CX-30 which I feel like they could easily do at the Alabama plant. I'd buy that so quickly

[pnutbutrncrackers]

You did such a great job with these reviews. Couldn't have been better -- thank you! Tomorrow morning my wife and I will be purchasing a Honda HR-V (EX-L trim level), which we test-drove. It's not that I disagree with anything you said in this video, but rather that those categories where I'd give Honda the edge (e.g. interior & cargo room) are more desirable for us, and the categories where, say, the Mazda shines best aren't quite as important for its intended use (i.e. my wife's daily driver to work in the city). She also really liked a teal-like color offered called Nordic Forest Pearl. Anyway, thanks again for your help in our decision-making!

[kingkiril]

The Subaru crosstrek imo is better. More practical and very nice looking. Very quiet and nice ride. Smooth.

[BoopSnoot]

HRV has below average powertrain and interior technology, by a huge margin. Its almost embarrassing IMO.

[knowbound]

No longer do Subarus suffer from head gaskets failing. Now they just use cheap RTV sealant in places they should've used real gaskets... So new Subarus are just bound to leak oil at some point, and is already becoming an issue if you look it up. Still better than a Hyundai IMO

[kenhoward]

I really appreciate the driving impressions, which are extremely thorough. It would seem that the Mazda CX-30 would be the best choice for someone who actually enjoys driving and interacting with a vehicle, along with the feeling of being encapsulated within an attractive - if less practical - body. The Crosstrek is sensible (except for its all-encompassing infotainment screen), but while the CX cladding is overdone, the Subaru's just looks silly.