2022 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo

Subcompact crossovers have shortly turn into the attainable and sensible choice for consumers on a finances, nevertheless these autos have by no means actually been recognized for his or her construct high quality, know-how, and efficiency. In 2021 because of options starting to trickle all the way down to extra reasonably priced markets that have been as soon as unique and restricted to luxurious manufacturers is slowly reshaping this section from being modern-day econoboxes to lifted and versatile hatchbacks. The Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona are on the forefront of subcompacts evolving into enjoyable and interesting crossovers that would simply attract shoppers of all ages, however if you’re out there for both of these autos at round $30k, which goes to be the higher choice? Nicely let’s take a deep dive and evaluate each fashions to see whether or not the Hyundai Kona or Mazda CX-30 needs to be the subsequent crossover in your driveway.

Seems to be

The issue with most autos at this worth level is that exterior appearances aren’t essentially the most attractive, nevertheless the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona might be seen as being the very best wanting amongst their rivals.

Mazda CX-30

First looking on the CX-30, for all intents and functions it’s a lifted Mazda3 hatchback with plastic cladding for the aspect profile. Each up entrance and within the again, Mazda’s signature design options dominate the street presence of this crossover, because it has very comparable beauty cues to it’s larger sibling, the CX-5. With the smoother physique traces and angles, the CX-30 has a streamlined and athletic look that provides a enjoyable persona to this car, however there’s additionally a way of simplicity in addition to the entrance fascia has numerous continuity with the chrome accents outlining the grille and integrating into the LED headlights. Then for the rear finish, there’s a conventional hatchback design, with twin exhaust shops and LED taillights. Whereas compact in exterior dimensions, it’s not boxy or bland like most rivals, and getting again to these physique traces it has a hatchback-like street presence which ought to attract consumers who’ve been reluctant to buy a crossover.

Hyundai Kona

Then for the Hyundai Kona, it’s at all times had a futuristic model to it, whereas additionally taking a totally totally different method than rivals, as Hyundai provides extra vibrant colours to focus on a youthful client demographic in comparison with Mazda who’s a bit extra conservative with coloration choices. For 2022, the Kona obtained a minor facelift, with a slight redesign to the grey cladding because it now not integrates into the headlights, and this time round outlines the decrease portion of the entrance bumper and wraps across the total automotive. Stylish with the design cues, the Kona is youthful and adventurous, being extra daring than boxy options whereas additionally showing to be a hatchback moderately than a crossover, and to a sure diploma that’s going to have a damaging impact on inside dimensions. If the off-road look isn’t your model, Hyundai is providing the N-Line trim for 2022 to supply a full paint end, which units us up for the all new Kona N that would be the strongest subcompact crossover in the marketplace at this time.

Inside

Stepping inside, this might very properly be the deal maker or breaker for those who’re cross-shopping these 2 fashions. Whereas each have their strengths, a few of these weaknesses may play a task during which car you find yourself buying.

Mazda CX-30

As soon as once more beginning off with the Mazda CX-30, you’re greeted by probably the most plush interiors you’re going to seek out, not solely within the subcompact crossover market but additionally compacts as properly. It needs to be famous that the mannequin we featured was a Turbo Premium, which gave us heated leather-based seats with the driving force’s aspect being 2 place reminiscence. Elevating our eyebrows is the smooth contact padding discovered all through, not just for the door panels and heart arm relaxation, but additionally the dashboard as properly, and collectively it actually elevates the driving expertise as you are feeling as if you’re in an entry degree luxurious crossover. In entrance of you there might be a digital show within the heart of the analogue gauges which blends in fairly properly, with the decision and high quality being higher than what we’ve seen from Honda and Toyota. Our mannequin additionally had a head up show which isn’t accessible on the Kona for 2022, because it was once provided on the Final however that trim was lower from the lineup.

Transferring over to the infotainment system, this person interface isn’t a touchscreen and as an alternative you’ll have a rotary dial, touchpad, and fast entry buttons to get you to totally different menus. Had we obtained twin performance, this head unit can be similar to BMW’s iDrive 7 system, however sadly you possibly can solely use the rotary dial which can negatively impact your expertise with apple CarPlay and android auto as they only don’t pair very properly with this setup. Exterior of that, this infotainment system is definitely very person pleasant and fast to reply, however in order for you a touchscreen you could have to look elsewhere. In case you go for the Premium Plus, you’ll have further digital camera angles, with a high view and aspect views to associate with your rear backup digital camera to assist park this crossover.

For the remainder of the inside structure, it’s a clear and simplistic design, with the buttons and dials in your twin zone local weather management and entrance and rear defrosters discovered beneath the infotainment system. There might be piano black trim for the middle console, which can turn into a trouble to wash over time, however total the the CX-30’s inside is without doubt one of the finest we’ve come throughout in terms of consolation.

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona alternatively isn’t essentially going to wow you in terms of consolation and smooth contact padding like we’ve seen with the CX-30, nevertheless for those who love inside know-how then the 2022 Hyundai Kona Restricted will possible be the very best match for you among the many rivals within the subcompact crossover market. When you’ll have heated leather-based trimmed seats, the supplies for the dashboard and arm rests aren’t going to be as spectacular as you’ll expertise within the CX-30. But the place the Hyundai Kona falls quick, it redeems itself with a contemporary inside structure, as there might be a full digital gauge cluster that we see within the new Tucson and Santa Fe, and in terms of performance and backbone, that is what you’d count on in luxurious autos as you’ll have the power to scroll by means of a wide range of info. As talked about earlier there isn’t a head up show provided for the Restricted or any trim in the intervening time for the 2022 Kona.

Then for the infotainment system, you’ll have a ten.2 inch touchscreen with apple CarPlay and android auto compatibility, and identical to with the Mazda CX-30 you should have onboard navigation. Mounted simply beneath this display are fast entry buttons, however because of the responsive and refinement of this person interface, you’re going to seek out that this head unit is without doubt one of the most person pleasant and in-depth on this section. Regardless of the Kona’s inside not being essentially the most refined or visually interesting, the know-how accessible outclasses rivals to create the notion that this crossover is an entry degree luxurious car with a tech bundle that would rival Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti. Under you’ll discover the buttons in your entrance and rear defrosters, however apparently sufficient you received’t have twin zone local weather management. Outfitted on our mannequin and likewise provided on the CX-30 was a wi-fi cellphone charging pad to as soon as once more present modern-day facilities.

When put next side-by-side, there’s going to be trade-offs. You both go along with consolation or know-how, and it will merely come all the way down to your individual private preferences.

Practicality

The Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona discover themselves in the identical scenario in terms of inside room and total practicality, as autos of this measurement are solely going to be conducive for a household of 4 moderately than being able to squeeze a 3rd particular person within the center. For taller passengers leg and head room are going to be a priority, which is a given contemplating that each crossovers are subcompacts.

For rear cargo area, dimensions are virtually equivalent, with the Mazda CX-30 coming in with 20.2 cubic ft of room and the Kona providing 19.2. It could be a stretch to say that one cubic foot goes to make all of the distinction, but when practicality is a high precedence, it is likely to be price some larger rivals, nevertheless remember the fact that you’re going to sacrifice many options, together with the upscale and plush interiors each crossover have.

Efficiency

The place some shoppers are turned off with subcompact crossovers is that they’re underpowered, and most of the time the engines are paired with a CVT which deludes the driving expertise much more. To the delight of people that get pleasure from driving, the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona use conventional automatics and still have elective turbocharged 4 cylinder engines to make them certainly one of a handful of crossovers on this section that carry some athleticism and sportiness to an in any other case mundane market.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo is available in with a 2.5L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that places out 250 and 320 lb ft of torque and is paired with a 6 velocity automated transmission. The place the the CX-30 impresses is with it’s sub 6 second 0-60 time, falling proper in step with the Volkswagen GTI. Regardless of efficiency numbers showing to be respectable, the most important downside is with the 6 velocity automated. It pairs properly with the turbo 4, but it makes the driving expertise really feel barely sedated because it takes away from the sporty qualities this crossover is suppose to have. Accelerations are clean and linear, however after some time there’s a way of one thing lacking, and it’s the shortage of a twin clutch automated or a quicker shifting transmission. Most drivers will discover the CX-30 turbo to be greater than sufficient, particularly over the bottom 2.5L naturally aspirated engine that begs for extra energy when accelerating, which is why paying a bit of further for the turbo is completely price it.

Then for the Hyundai Kona, the elective 1.6L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine goes to have 195 hp and 195 lb ft of torque and might be paired with a 7 velocity twin clutch automated. There’s no query that for those who’re severely a Kona, you need to go along with the the 1.6. Similar to with the CX-30, the two liter 4 cylinder engine discovered on decrease trims isn’t going to be fulfilling, and actually you’re going to want you paid further for the turbo. Throughout our time with the Kona, whether or not driving within the metropolis or taking this crossover out onto the freeway, it carried out easily. Gear shifts have been immediate, and whereas there’s a discrepancy in energy when evaluating each fashions, the Kona felt extra refined and responsive despite the fact that it wasn’t as fast. As talked about through the assessment, all of the criticisms we’d have with the Kona will possible be rectified when the Kona N arrives later this yr, giving us a wholesome increase in efficiency whereas additionally being extra agile and nimble to feed our starvation for a sporty subcompact crossover.

Pricing

You’ve in all probability been ready to learn the way a lot you’ll be paying for the Hyundai Kona or Mazda CX-30, and the fashions we featured earlier this yr on the channel was a Kona Restricted and CX-30 Turbo Premium, which truly are very comparable trim ranges to make this comparability as honest as attainable.

Beginning off with the CX-30, the Turbo Premium is available in with a beginning worth of $32,450 with AWD coming customary. the Hyundai Kona Restricted will begin at $28,250 with AWD being a $1400 choice, however even whenever you tack that on, the Kona undercuts the CX-30 by simply over $2k. When taking a look at the remainder of the trims and the way they match up, you’re going to obtain the 1.6L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine from Hyundai at a worth level of just below $26k, whereas the CX-30 Turbo will value over $30k.

We’re nonetheless ready to seek out out the pricing for the brand new Kona N, however probably it would fall proper in step with the CX-30 Premium Plus which goes to value proper round $35k.

Total

In conclusion, whenever you issue within the know-how that’s made accessible to you at round $30k, the Hyundai Kona turns into a really attractive choice. On the flip aspect, the Mazda CX-30 goes to have a greater inside and a faster acceleration time, so each autos have their execs and cons, and it simply comes all the way down to what you prioritize first in a brand new subcompact crossover. For us, the Hyundai Kona wins out after this head-to-head matchup, as the twin clutch pairs properly with the turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, and because you sacrifice little or no with practicality, we don’t really feel like we’re dropping a lot outdoors of sentimental contact padding by wanting previous the Mazda CX-30. In 2021, we wish modern-day know-how, and Hyundai is providing that at a worth level nobody else is on this section, which is why the 2022 Kona is certainly one of our early candidates for the very best subcompact crossover in the marketplace this yr. However as at all times, we suggest to check drive each autos to see which one fits you finest, and perhaps you’ll discover out that the Mazda CX-30 is a greater total crossover for you.

Listed below are the hyperlink to the total evaluations for each fashions.