Hyundai Kona vs Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-3 2019 comparison review

Matt Campbell road tests and reviews the Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona back-to-back with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[Ksweetpea]

"Baby SUV" is probably my favorite term for these cars

[curlyv]

I don't really consider my Mazda CX-3 to be a small SUV - it's just a bloody good car which is super reliable, looks great, holds its value and has good fuel consumption which, quite frankly, is all I need in a car 👍

[kimnicole]

If you haven’t already, please do an updated version of this cause it’s much needed

[AWSInsightHub]

Bought Honda HRV Top of the range model and literally my neighbor walked up and said I envy your car. Its pretty good! with heating seats, almost perfect mileage what Honda says, Sun/Moon roof and enough boot space. I am happy to have made HRV as the choice of my car.

[superflo]

i love to watch what i can't buy :)

[theschnauz]

Yes! We just purchased the Honda HR-V RS and found the ride so smooth and comfortable. I told my husband I was ready for a nice nap. I do agree that the tech needs replacing but overall it’s a classy vehicle.

[joannablacklock]

I have a Hyundai Kona. I love it. It has more options as it is a different model than tested. Totally recommend this vehicle.

[reaality]

In the U.S., in Feb. 2021, I purchased the HR-V EX AWD. The utility of the interior is excellent! My friends could not believe it when I drove up in this little car, opened the tailgate, and pulled out a 6-foot step ladder. Passing on the highway can get exciting, due to the underpowered 1.8 four-cylinder through its CVT and AWD, but mpg's are about 25 in the city and 30 on the highway. After one year, I'm willing to trade the AWD and sunroof for a power driver's seat with memory and a better stereo. When the Ins. Highway Safety Institute made their side-impact vehicle heavier and faster, the HR-V performed the poorest score in its class. But all things considered, I wouldn't trade this HR-V for any of its same-priced competition.
I look forward to many years of reliable transportation with better-than-average resale value.

[mahaloaloha]

Kona looked a bit weird when it came out first, but I actually like its exterior and look~

[joeuno]

I know this video is based on the 2019s, but I just bought a 2020 Kona SEL Plus AWD. And I can honestly say it is an exceptional vehicle for the price. I am used to driving a 2000 Civic Coupe with fully adjustable suspension upgrades. Kona's drive is much more comfortable and feels pretty close in cornering speeds of my smaller/lighter and very agile Civic. The video mentions suspension of each vehicle and my response is; I enjoy a bit stiffer suspension vs the cloudy unstable feeling of softer suspensions. Also the steering feel is right where it needs to be; I'd rather feel a bit of resistance than have it feel too light. Power delivery is pretty good as well. In normal mode it times it feels a bit slow to react to a hill or after a traffic slow down, but the Kona can easily be sport shifted to account for these moments or a quick double tap of the accelerator to force a downshift. Sport mode feels aggressive and if I were in my 20s, with no kids, I would love driving in this mode all the time. AWD can be locked if needed and has an engine braking feature for driving down hills to avoid overheating your brakes. Gas mileage is around 29mpg combined but for a highway only drive I could see it reaching 32+mpg.(AWD this is pretty good and better than my FWD Civic which was fully rebuilt and well maintained).The interior is pretty bland and plasticky, but feels sturdy and doesn't look terrible at all. SEL Plus has Infinity speakers, a sunroof and heated seats(driver seat is also equipped with electronic adjustment controls) Kona also has all the electronic bells and whistles: Bluetooth, Android Auto(Google Assistant: phone, text, calendar, Maps and music; all at the press of a steering wheel button for voice commands), Hyundai BlueLink( the app features remote: monitoring(includes milage and maintenance recommendations), locking/unlocking, starting/shut off; also on the mirror an SOS button(in case of accident or breakdown) and a BlueLink button to find and schedule an appointment at Hyundai service stations; BlueLink botton can also be used in conjunction with Android Auto to help find POIs using voice commands), Satellite radio, front collision avoidance detection, lane assist, blindspot monitoring, auto dimming rear view mirror and plenty monitoring displays, including attention level monitoring, to choose to look at on the screen between the analog meters. The trunk space is really the only drawback for me but since the vehicle is equipped with roof rails I'm installing a roof basket to allow for more storage on camping trips and when traveling. I also seem to really enjoy the styling of the exterior a bit more than the Honda and Mazda but to each their own on aesthetics.
My quirk with this video is the fact that the HR-V won on basically interior space and drive comfort and in reality it gets worse gas mileage, has less power, cost more, and although Honda is known for reliability it doesn't have the warranty that Hyundai provides. After watching the video I was definitely surprised to hear them announce the HR-V as the winner. According to this video; I feel aesthetically the Mazda wins; driving performance the Hyundai; Space/Comfort the Honda. All three are great options but I definitely would do more investing to see which vehicle is the best bang for your buck!

[bobjeschonek]

You got it right. I have a HRV and am completely satisfied. Need Moore storage space under dash. Power with the automatic is just great. Some owners complained about not enough power, but not this owner.

[carolinas]

We got a Honda HR-V. We really LOVED our car, but here are the things that didn't work for me. The touch screen was a tad slow, navigation on this was real weird so we basically used our phones to navigate, also, when a song was playing the screen wouldn't tell me the artist or the song, which was annoying. The charging station being underneath the surface was a challenge to plug, but it was a great way to use space, still a liiil annoying. the touch screen for heating, AC and such was also a lil unresponsive sometimes which made it uncomfortable to change while I was driving. There is a gas-economy button, but I didn't notice a difference when this was on or off, it was basically the same. Backseat chairs were comfortable, the only thing that would bother be is the fact that the head rests and forwardly inclined so it feel weird to laid back completely. Also, no ventilation in the back so I had to blast the AC/heater until it reached my guests. It was definitely an upgrade from what we had, so it felt good though, so here are the good things:

PROS: MOON ROOF, such a wonderful option to have if you live in hot weather (not so much if you are from the east coast). People really liked the extra air coming in through the top instead of the sides, so this was great. SIDE VIEW SCREEN, so when I signal right, the screen turns on the right side camera and gave me a COMPLETE view for bicycles, bikes or smaller cars (my FAVORITE thing), I just felt so confident merging into my right lane knowing I wasn't going to crash w/ anyone (not available for the left obvi). This car had heating seats which is a PLUS. I love a car with heating seats because I don't need to use the heating system, I just heat my chair and I'm a happy camper. Finally, this car has SPACE. You fit me and around 4 other adults comfortably (usually 5'8, 160 pounds each), it just feels like you have room. you know? so if you have friends or family no one is going to complaint. And all of these perks BUT as cheap as the competition. bam!

We decided to end our lease and change a new lease and try the Mazda 2019 cx-30. Which is almost like the Mazda cx-3. I'll update this once I start using it. Hope this helps someone. :)

[bluepil]

This is the best review I have found for these three cars, .

[youngheunjo]

Kona is the way to go! Amazing warranty and so much fun to drive everyday I wish my commute was longer. Def recommend

[Chrisnuzzo]

I recently bought a 2017 CX-3 FWD Touring with 70k miles on it and the suspension feels very tight and sporty, not sloppy and loose like he said the one he was driving is. But mine also came with standard 18 inch wheels, which may have helped make a firmer ride.

[devonrobinson]

I got the honda hrv here in America. You were spot on with the review. Its a great value but not very fast. Overall i love mine

[chocomartin]

I have my Kona2019 best ever...easy to drive and fuel efficiency

[JohnnyFD]

Manual temperature controls are a million times better and easier to use then digital ones. That isn't a plus.

[marg]

You did not get it RIGHT but, Wrong, here is why, though I am a Honda guy mainly due to their reliability and low maintenance cost, However the Kona warranty you never mentioned ? They are super safe and have the best Warranty and have really made vast improvements on all models to be reliable and affordable and super fun to drive as well as dependable and practical ! Hyundai the Kona is by far the best choice for the $$ and the AWD is awesome. The other two models are thousands more for less features !!! Take it from a Honda owner the Kona is Top Notch here !!! We own One and the Kona is awesome !!

[Mischa]

Have a 2018 Kona Limited since Oct 18 as a lease. Was considering a 2022 Tuscon upgrade. But as aging adult the Kona is perfect. It turbo is peppey and easy parking, enough trunk for groceries. Cleaning roof of snow in winter is doable. Will update to the 2022 when my lease ends this Oct of 2021. I ♡ Kona!