Compare the2022 Honda HR-VVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the HR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The HR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-3’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the HR-V and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

The engine in the HR-V has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the CX-3 has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 22nd.

The HR-V has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The HR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the HR-V’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

The HR-V stops much shorter than the CX-3:

For better traction, the HR-V Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-3 (225/50R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The HR-V’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s standard 60 series tires. The HR-V Sport’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the HR-V has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The HR-V Sport has standard 18-inch wheels.

The HR-V AWD has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the HR-V AWD flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the HR-V’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the CX-3 (102.8 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the CX-3 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the HR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (6.7 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the HR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The HR-V Sport’s minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the CX-3 (6.9 vs. 6.1 inches).

The HR-V Sport/EX/EX-L uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the HR-V EX-L AWD is quieter than the CX-3 AWD (76 vs. 78 dB).

The HR-V has 12.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (100.1 vs. 87.6).

The HR-V has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the HR-V’s rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (24.3 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (58.8 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

The Smart Entry System standard on the HR-V EX/EX-L allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The HR-V’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-3’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The HR-V EX/EX-L’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The HR-V EX/EX-L has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the HR-V is less expensive to operate than the CX-3 because it costs $28 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the HR-V than the CX-3, including $7 less for a muffler, $27 less for front brake pads, $220 less for fuel injection and $15 less for front struts.