The 2025 Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30 are small SUVs with big personalities. On one hand, the HR-V is akin to being a teacher’s pet. It’s more studious and cerebral in how it wins over SUV shoppers. It excels when it comes to being versatile and accommodating thanks to its airy cabin, roomy cargo hold, and impressive fuel economy.
As for the Mazda CX-30, it’s more like a class clown that happens to be a track-and-field champ. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Mazda that SUVs aren’t meant to be energetic and fun to drive. The CX-30’s sharp handling is a hoot; this little Mazda scoots around corners like a sports sedan. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and an optional turbocharged 4-cylinder engine make it even more entertaining.
Let’s explore the key highlights of the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30.
2025 Honda HR-V
The 2025 Honda HR-V is available in three trims: LX, Sport, and EX-L. A base HR-V LX starts at $26,795, including the factory-to-dealer destination charge, and comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, three USB ports, automatic climate control, and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Since it was redesigned in 2023, the HR-V rolls into 2025 with no notable updates or changes. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that sends 158 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive is optional.
Honda HR-V Highlights
Honda Sensing: Every HR-V trim comes with the Honda Sensing suite of active driver aids. They include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Driving refinement: With its 2023 reboot, the HR-V migrated to the same platform that underpins the Honda Civic. A significant benefit of this mechanical change is a far smoother and more composed ride than the previous model. Light, direct steering makes the HR-V agile and easy to maneuver in tight confines.
HondaLink: The HondaLink smartphone app allows HR-V owners to keep a watchful eye on their SUV remotely. HondaLink helps schedule service appointments, set geofenced boundaries when handing the keys to someone else, track the vehicle should it be stolen, and send alerts if a crash is detected while the vehicle is parked.
Read our Honda HR-V Expert Review or see 2025 Honda HR-V models for sale near you.
2025 Mazda CX-30
The expansive Mazda CX-30 roster features eight trim levels, with prices starting at $26,415, which includes the factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Most CX-30 shoppers will be satisfied with the balance of performance and economy provided by the base 191-hp 4-cylinder. It’s peppy and easy on a fuel budget, plus there’s the bonus of having all-wheel drive standard. By the way, this is already more engine than most rivals; however, those wishing for a bit more thrust can step up to a turbocharged version with 250 hp.
Mazda CX-30 Highlights
Great handling, optional turbo 4-cylinder: We can’t rave enough about the agility of the CX-30. Its reflexes are exemplary and something unexpected in a budget-friendly small SUV. We recommend at least test-driving a CX-30 with the optional 250-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. This drops the Mazda’s 0-60 mph time to about 6 seconds versus around 8 seconds with the non-turbo 4-cylinder powertrain.
Classy cabin: Mazda has worked hard to make the interior of the CX-30 feel a cut above the competition. Upper trims are downright luxurious with leather seating surfaces, wireless smartphone connectivity, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, head-up instrument display, surround-view parking camera, ambient interior lighting, and a Bose audio system.
Many standard safety features: Similar to the HR-V, the CX-30 arrives with a plethora of active driver aids as standard equipment. Blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and a driver attention monitor are included on every trim.
Read our Mazda CX-30 Expert Review or see 2025 Mazda CX-30 models for sale near you.
Similarities
The HR-V and CX-30 have five seats and fuel-sipping engines and score top marks in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both earned the highly coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating. They’re also maneuverable and have composed rides in all types of city and highway driving.
Price
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda HR-V vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Honda HR-V | 2025 Mazda CX-30 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 191 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined | 26 city/33 highway/29 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 104.4 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 173.0 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 70.7 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 61.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.7 inches | 36.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 55.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.2 inches | 53.6 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 24.4 cubic feet | 20.2 cubic feet |
Conclusion
Consider us enthusiastic fans of both the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30. During our extensive testing, we’ve found them to be among the best subcompact SUVs available today.
To put it simply, the CX-30 is a joy to drive. Quick steering and that optional turbo 4-cylinder make this Mazda a exciting to navigate during even the most mundane driving tasks. Unfortunately, a lack of rear legroom and below-average cargo capacity conspire to ding the otherwise glowing credentials of the CX-30. Higher trims also get very expensive.
The Honda HR-V doesn’t offer the same level of thrills, although we think it’s a better value. Its relaxed ride and light steering render it a stress-free means of zipping around. The cabin layout is user-friendly, and the materials look and feel capable of withstanding rigorous years of driving duty.
