2024 & 2025 Subcompact SUV Comparison

There are so many great options in the subcompact SUV segment. We got seven of them at once and gathered the entire KBB editorial team to evaluate them. Check out our collective thoughts and how we ranked them all now. #KBB

01:17 2024 Mazda CX-30
03:35 2025 Nissan Kicks
05:41 2025 Chevrolet Trax
07:55 2024 Honda HR-V
09:59 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross
12:11 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
14:45 2025 Hyundai Kona

[kbb]

Let us know what order you'd rank these sub-compacts below!

[valdiswallace]

I’m surprise that the Mazda was in 7th place with all of the good things it offered

[CalvinHikes]

You rank them all on things I don't care about.
I care about basic reliability, and good looks.

[Jiggy]

The mazda dial is absolutely AMAZING. I HATE HATE HATE touchscreens

[HarryRylee]

The Mazda was denied..Love mine. A vehicle for people who love driving as opposed to just getting there.

[KennethKeuffel]

Mazda should be number one in terms of driving dynamics

[MacI-]

The Mazda is my favourite, aged like wine. Love the Alfa Romeo like styling honestly. The Honda HR-V's engine is probably the most reliable out of all of these cars (my Civic has the same K20 engine with 95, 000 miles, super reliable so far). But even in my car it is sluggish. Imagine trying to merge on the highway with the HR-V. O_O

[adambakkam]

My brother had a Kia(Hyundai) Seltos with the 1.6 liter engine and failed in 2 years. He went back to Honda. I hope Hyundai fixes the Engine problems soon instead of extending the warranty and leaving it to the user's luck.

[urbanstrencan]

Subaru CROSSTREK winner for me ❤❤ the closest looking to wagon 😊😂😂
Great video KBB team,

[darrenoriley]

#1 Mazda CX-30
#2 Subaru Crosstrek
#3 Toyota Corolla Cross

[jazzyboy]

Wife has 2025 Seltos...so far a pretty great car.

[TheMrJourneyer]

Thanks for reuploading a clearer video!

[hamburglar]

I bought the Kona N. It’s very very fun

[PSL]

to think a few years ago this would be the

[TinoMiller]

I still would chose the Nissan Kicks over most of these being that it looks more aggressive and that it does not have a Turbo or Hybrid to deal with .. The CVT can handle at 2.0 4 cylinder ...

[logan]

I’d go with the Crosstrek just personally. Mazda is a close second, I just can’t get past the exterior of the CX-30, the side profile with the plastic doesn’t look good.

[kmckenzie]

My own personal order would go as follows…. To each their own 😊

1. Chevy Trax (best value)
2. Subaru CrossTrek (best off road)
3. Nissan Kicks (hip look & cool colors)
4. Honda HR-V (sensible choice)
5. Toyota Corolla Cross (hybrid mpg’s)
6. Hyundai Kona (10 year warranty)
7. Mazda CX-30 (sporty driving)

[joshuacollins]

I drive a Mitsubishi outlander sport AWD 2017. I brought it in 2022. I will pay it off in 2025 early. I love the CX 30 and the HRV.

[WOOF]

Great review KBB team. This is a great idea! Happy Holidays to you all!!

[doug]

2:38 - The CX-30 is not convincing as the "upscale" vehicle Mazda wants to be considered.

3:40 - Nissan beat Mazda in this publication's opinion. Good job, Nissan! They're on the struggle bus financially, but they haven't given up at the design team. I wouldn't buy one because of the brand's notorious reliability.

5:47 - Chevrolet paid some designers. That's new for them! They made an interesting-looking package out of the humdrum Trax. The engine is a deal-breaker for me. That tiny engine will be overtaxed throughout its life.

7:58 - Honda has done a good job evolving the HR-V over the model's life. It's bizarre that the HR-V has grown to the size of the original CR-V. I like the interior and consider it more appealing than the supposedly "upscale" CX-30.

9:55 - They should have reused the Matrix name. It doesn't have the same youthful personality as that Matrix, but it fills the same slot in the lineup. This feels like one of those vehicles that will do its job for years without ever worrying or dazzling anyone. It's...a Toyota.

9:55 - The Crosstrek seems out of place here. It seems more like a car among the field. Subaru's busy styling is supposed to look rugged, but it seems more Aztek-y than rugged. For those who venture into trails, this one will get you in & out. There's nothing fun about it, though.

9:55 - Hyundai should be proud of the progress they made in the last 10-15 years (which is only 2009!) They have been daring to try new designs and still keep their approach of packing features into the car and offering a long warranty.