Compare the2022 Honda CR-V HybridVS 2021 Mazda CX-30

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V Hybrid deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V Hybrid’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-30’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CR-V Hybrid. But it costs extra on the CX-30.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Premium offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CR-V Hybrid has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Premium has a cross-path warning system.

Both the CR-V Hybrid and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V Hybrid is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

	CR-V Hybrid	CX-30
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	141	148
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	216 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	65/19 lbs.	201/172 lbs.

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

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 CR-V Hybrid is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

	CR-V Hybrid	CX-30
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	71	73
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	142 G’s	209 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	197
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	60 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	543 lbs.	583 lbs.

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

Warranty

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 CR-V Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 17th in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

Engine

The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (212 vs. 186) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V Hybrid is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

	CR-V Hybrid	CX-30
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.3 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V Hybrid gets better mileage than the CX-30:

			MPG
CR-V Hybrid
		2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/35 hwy
CX-30
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the CR-V Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the CR-V Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda CR-V Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CR-V Hybrid has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 AWD’s standard fuel tank (14 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda CR-V Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (5 to 7). This means the CR-V Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The CR-V Hybrid 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-30 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CR-V Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

	CR-V Hybrid	CX-30
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.4 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		10.9 inches

The CR-V Hybrid stops much shorter than the CX-30:

	CR-V Hybrid	CX-30
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CR-V Hybrid has larger tires than the CX-30 (235/60R18 vs. 215/65R16).

The CR-V Hybrid EX/EX-L’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V Hybrid EX/EX-L has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The CR-V Hybrid Touring’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Premium.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda CR-V Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CR-V Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CR-V Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V Hybrid is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-30.

The CR-V Hybrid Touring handles at .81 G’s, while the CX-30 Premium AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the CR-V Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-30 (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CR-V Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the CR-V Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The CR-V Hybrid has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (102.9 vs. 94.1).

The CR-V Hybrid has .5 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (33.2 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (68.7 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-30 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V Hybrid. The CX-30 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CR-V Hybrid Touring’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

The CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CR-V Hybrid has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the CX-30 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the CR-V Hybrid’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the CX-30’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The CR-V Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-30 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

On extremely cold winter days, the CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Premium.

Recommendations

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The CX-30 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The CX-30 has never been chosen.