2021 Mazda CX-3 vs. Honda HR-V
Mazda and Honda have gone head-to-head for years in the SUV market. Both are known for high-quality vehicles that offer reliable performance and attractive styling at an attractive price. But that doesn’t mean you should put their SUVs on the same level. When you look closer, the differences between the two nameplates grow, and it is clear that Mazda offers the superior models. That is especially true for the newest CX-3 and HR-V.
Take a closer look at how the 2021 Mazda CX-3 compares to the newest Honda HR-V to learn how the CX-3 rises above:
Exterior Styling
While both the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3 are good-looking SUVs, it is the 2021 Mazda CX-3 that takes style to the next level, presenting a sophisticated and upscale profile that will turn heads wherever you go. The differences between them are subtle, but when added up, they create significantly different looks.
The Mazda CX-3 looks like an upscale, luxury vehicle. It has graceful, sweeping lines that flow effortlessly through the profile. Details are chosen carefully and for impact, like the geometrical grille rimmed in subtle chrome and the sweeping headlights. Black accents and chrome provide key contrast throughout.
The details on the Honda HR-V are not as sophisticated, and they add up to an attractive but not altogether interesting design. The grille looks plastic, and the body is devoid of many accents, other than some indentations on the paneling. Looking at the two models side-by-side is like looking at the budget model and the luxury model.
Interior Styling
Both the 2021 Mazda CX-3 and the 2021 Honda HR-V have similarly attractive interiors. Yet, the Mazda edges out Honda again with its more upscale finishings and design choices.
In the 2021 Mazda CX-3, you’ll see black interior finishings and ivory upholstery. The interior is finished with soft-touch materials, and the design flows effortlessly through the cabin, with one element flowing gracefully into the next. The center console is kept minimal, while still keeping all the important controls right at the touch of your fingertips. A heads-up display puts the information you need right where you can easily see it, and its placement helps to keep the dash and console design minimal and streamlined. Everything on the interior is placed with real thought and intention, so you get all the controls you need right where you need them, but nothing takes away from the graceful design.
In the Honda HR-V, the design is a bit more bulky and gaudy. The center display takes up quite a lot of space, and unnecessarily so. Controls are oversized, and there are so many buttons that it can become confusing to find what you need. Wood trim is also placed throughout the interior, which cuts through the overall aesthetic in an awkward way. The trim doesn’t accent the interior in a way that uplifts it – instead, it clutters it and brings down the overall look.
Powertrain
With the 2021 Mazda CX-3, you’ll also get a bigger and more powerful engine that even gets slightly better gas mileage than the 2021 Honda HR-V. The Mazda CX-3 comes with a 2.0-liter Inline4 engine that puts out 148 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive train. It provides smooth handling and powerful performance while also offering great gas mileage of 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
The 2021 Honda HR-V comes with a 1.8-liter Inline4 engine that puts out 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. That will offer noticeably less get-up-and-go than what you’ll get in the CX-3. The Honda HR-V is paired with a continuously variable transmission – a technology that has experienced notable problems since it has been introduced. The HR-V is also front-wheel drive. With a smaller engine and less performance, you might expect that the HR-V would offer better gas mileage than the CX-3, but that is not the case. It actually gets a mile less per gallon in the city and about the same on the highway.
Convenience Features
In keeping with the other characteristics of the two SUVs, the 2021 Mazda CX-3 offers more convenience features than does the 2021 Honda HR-V. With the 2021 Mazda CX-3, you get standard features like smart device integration, a heads-up display, adaptive cruise control, climate control, remote trunk release, keyless start, and telematics – none of which are included with the base level Honda HR-V.
Safety features included with the Mazda CX-3 but not the Honda HR-V include cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Both models include a back-up camera, stability and traction control, tire pressure monitoring, and brake assistance. The Mazda CX-3 also has superior safety ratings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, edging out the Honda HR-V on the front barrier crash rating.
Choosing the Right SUV for You
When looking at the 2021 Mazda CX-3 and the 2021 Honda HR-V, we think that the choice is clear. The Mazda CX-3 is a gorgeous, sophisticated vehicle that offers powerful performance, smooth handling, great convenience and technology features, and great gas mileage. And it offers all that in one luxurious looking package. The Mazda CX-3 ix a luxury vehicle that you’ll feel good driving, whether you use it for family outings or you want to impress co-workers and clients. The 2021 Mazda CX-3 has it all.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. Visit Seacoast Mazda today to see the all-new Mazda CX-3 for yourself and to take a test drive. You can try out all its features and see how it handles in real time. We’re certain that you’ll fall in love with this gorgeous and exciting SUV! Our finance specialists will be there to help you find the best terms to make the CX-3 affordable for your monthly budget. And our service department will be there long after you buy to keep your CX-3 in top shape for a long time to come. Visit us today and fall in love with the 2021 Mazda CX-3!