2016 Honda HR-V vs. 2016 Mazda CX-3
2016 Honda HR-V
2016 Mazda CX-3
College Place and Kennewick drivers who are trying to decide upon their next compact crossover often find themselves choosing between the 2016 Honda HR-V and the 2016 Mazda CX-3. After all, these vehicles are among the best in the segment, but it can be tricky to determine which one will best meet the needs of your family. Just read through this competitive comparison to help yourself reach a decision.
Trim Levels
The 2016 Honda HR-V comes in three well-balanced trim levels for College Place and Kennewick drivers to choose from:
- LX: The LX is one of the most well-equipped entry-level crossovers around, boasting a multi-angle rearview camera, remote entry system, and 5-inch color LCD display.
- EX: The EX takes that base-level technology further. Drivers will find their HR-V equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, Honda LaneWatch, heated front seats, and a power moonroof.
- EX-L Navi: The EX-L Navi offers a Honda satellite-linked navigation system as standard, and also includes roof rails, HD radio, and a first-class leather-trimmed interior.
The 2016 Mazda CX-3 also provides three trim levels:
- Sport: The Sport model comes with 16-inch steel wheels, a rear spoiler, and air conditioning.
- Touring: The Touring adds heated mirrors and leatherette seating surfaces.
- Grand Touring: The Grand Touring comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and a rear cargo cover.
Powertrains and MPG
The 2016 Honda HR-V strikes an attractive balance between power and efficiency — that’s why it’s such a solid pick among College Place and Kennewick families. A state-of-the-art 1.8L four-cylinder engine provides drivers with 141 hp, so acceleration feels responsive, and you’ll be able to choose between either a six-speed manual transmission for up to 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway* with 2WD or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for up to 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway* with 2WD.The 2016 Mazda CX-3 remains competitive by providing up to 146 hp, but only offers a six-speed automatic transmission, so drivers won’t be able to opt for the precise control that comes with manual. Instead, they’ll roughly match the CVT mileage ratings of the HR-V, achieving up to 35 mpg highway.
Interior
Storage space in the 2016 Mazda CX-5 can be characterized as modest at best, with 12.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 44.5 with the rear seats folded; adding the Bose sound system lowers those figures to an even more impractical 10.1 and 42.3. To put that in perspective, the 2016 Honda HR-V is able to accommodate up to 24.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, perfect for taking the weekly shop, and a staggering 58.8 cubic feet when those seats are folded, ideal for transporting larger items.The HR-V is also markedly more versatile than the CX-3, with three main interior configurations for College Place and Kennewick drivers to take advantage of, including:
- Utility Mode: Flip the rear Magic Seat to enjoy every square inch of cargo space.
- Long Mode: Fold both the passenger-side front and rear seats to slide in cargo up to 8 feet in length.
- Tall Mode: Sometimes cargo needs to stand, so fold a rear seat downwards for close to 4 feet of vertical space.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Both the 2016 Honda HR-V and the 2016 Mazda CX-3 come with plenty of premium features as standard, including cruise control, Bluetooth, and an integrated touchscreen. That places them right at the top of the compact crossover segment when it comes to technology, but the HR-V probably edges to first place by offering a selection of Honda-exclusive features that you won’t find available with the CX-3.These features include:
- HondaLink Next Generation System: Quickly sync up your smartphone to the vehicle’s touchscreen with this handy new feature.
- Multi-Angle Rearview Camera: The CX-3 also features as rearview camera as standard, but it lacks the multiple viewing modes (normal, top-down, and wide) that make backing up in the HR-V feel so effortless.
- Honda LaneWatch: Signal to your right to have this available feature display live video from a camera on your passenger-side mirror.
Safety Features
Both the 2016 Honda HR-V and the 2016 Mazda CX-3 are impressively safe crossovers that offer a comprehensive range of safety features as standard.However, only the HR-V has been constructed using Honda’s celebrated ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure, which is noted for its ability to absorb impact energy and direct it away from occupants in the event of a collision.
The 2016 Honda HR-V is a Top Compact Crossover
The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is a decent crossover, but it ultimately falls short in terms of space, versatility, and technology, so it should come as no surprise that the HR-V tends to be preferred by growing families. To take a closer look at the 2016 Honda HR-V, just come down to Walla Walla Valley Honda in College Place.
*Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
