I bought a 25 Nissan Kicks a few weeks ago and I’m obsessed! It’s quickly become my favorite vehicle owned to date. The design is stunning, the interior is sleek and comfortable. Highly recommend.
@@micaelaG10honestly. I adore it. Favorite car I’ve owned to date… it’s small and peppy but sits up off the ground. I have the base model with AWD upgrade and it’s been a gem in the winter driving too.
Have you driven it? All the features in the world don't matter if the ride sucks and ownership is annoying. When shopping the Mazda 3 hatch vs others, the Mazda 3 had the worst handling (a surprise from the ZOOM ZOOM brand), and features like remote start were a monthly subscription. Worst CVT I experienced, plus bad handling + subscriptions equal a bad car, no matter the features. If those characteristics carried forward to this vehicle, I could see how they could tank this car. If the core is rotten, the apple is bad, no matter how pretty it looks. No substitution for a test drive.
My brother had a Kia(Hyundai) Seltos with the 1.6 liter engine and failed in 2 years. He went back to Honda. I hope Hyundai fixes the Engine problems soon instead of extending the warranty and leaving it to the user's luck.
My ex got a brand new Hyundai Tucson before Covid. The check engine light was habitually on, went through 2 catalytic converters in under 50k. She got rid of that thing before 70k and got a Mazda C-30 and loves it. Zero issues.
The lighting, the choreogpraphy and camera movement in the opening of the video is just phenomenal. Very well done. Whoever produced this video needs a raise.
I test drove both the Kona and Corolla. Not only Corolla was a few grand more $, I was shocked how small, cramped the 2nd row felt and lack of features compared to Kona. For obvious reasons, I got the 24 Kona and zero regretts. Love this thing.
The problem is dealing with quality is a totally different matter. The last ranked Mazda with its older technology will last a long time without problems. The higher ranked CVT units will have a hard time making to 100,000 without transmission problems, and in all cases they will fail by about 150,000 unless you change the fluid every 15,000 miles in the transmission - which most people won't do. The Theta engine co-developed by Mitsubishi, Hyundai/Kia, and Nissan is so bad in the Kona that you can read about it on the internet. Class action lawsuits (which they have lost) against that engine which prematurely self-destructs in a majority of the cars before 100K would eliminate this top ranked car from most people's lists if they did their research.
@@conceptcs Really depends on the brand because from all of these 7, only 2 (Nissan & Hyundai) that has a high chance of not even lasting for 3yrs and thats a proven fact unfortunately
The Mazda is my favourite, aged like wine. Love the Alfa Romeo like styling honestly. The Honda HR-V's engine is probably the most reliable out of all of these cars (my Civic has the same K20 engine with 95,000 miles, super reliable so far). But even in my car it is sluggish. Imagine trying to merge on the highway with the HR-V. O_O
I still would chose the Nissan Kicks over most of these being that it looks more aggressive and that it does not have a Turbo or Hybrid to deal with .. The CVT can handle at 2.0 4 cylinder ...
@@steve-s6o4b could I ask why you think its not a good value for what is included? even on the base you get a bunch of luxury features like all led lights even interior. Leather everywhere and soft touch surfaces everywhere. Auto rain sensing wipers and they hide and tuck under the hood. a lot of the stuff is hard to spot since they make it so seamless. But also with having a new and old mazda vs fam and friends with things like subaru and honda my dealers prices for oil changes and maintenance is CONSIDERABLY lower lmao.
@@DeeeBeee123 For the everyday person who cares about A to B transportation and practicality perhaps they would be more interested in the other competitors but for driving enthusiasts, the Mazda would likely be the best option out of all the offerings
My own personal order would go as follows…. To each their own 😊 1. Chevy Trax (best value) 2. Subaru CrossTrek (best off road) 3. Nissan Kicks (hip look & cool colors) 4. Honda HR-V (sensible choice) 5. Toyota Corolla Cross (hybrid mpg’s) 6. Hyundai Kona (10 year warranty) 7. Mazda CX-30 (sporty driving)
Mine would go Chevy Honda Hyundai Mazda Toyota Nissan Subaru Space and comfort mean the most to me. I like luxury and comfortability. We're in our cars 1/3rd of our lives. Might as well have a smooth ride and spacious leather seats. The kicks ride is terrible! Subarus are ugly, toyotas are too small uncomfortable with basic interior and mazdas are pretty and sporty but too small and doesn't look like a man's car. I'm a man by the way lol.
@@wellfleetion Hey thats ok thats why all of these cars sell and each one is a good car. Im sure every one of these vehicles is #1 to many different people.
I’d go with the Crosstrek just personally. Mazda is a close second, I just can’t get past the exterior of the CX-30, the side profile with the plastic doesn’t look good.
2:38 - The CX-30 is not convincing as the "upscale" vehicle Mazda wants to be considered. 3:40 - Nissan beat Mazda in this publication's opinion. Good job, Nissan! They're on the struggle bus financially, but they haven't given up at the design team. I wouldn't buy one because of the brand's notorious reliability. 5:47 - Chevrolet paid some designers. That's new for them! They made an interesting-looking package out of the humdrum Trax. The engine is a deal-breaker for me. That tiny engine will be overtaxed throughout its life. 7:58 - Honda has done a good job evolving the HR-V over the model's life. It's bizarre that the HR-V has grown to the size of the original CR-V. I like the interior and consider it more appealing than the supposedly "upscale" CX-30. 9:55 - They should have reused the Matrix name. It doesn't have the same youthful personality as that Matrix, but it fills the same slot in the lineup. This feels like one of those vehicles that will do its job for years without ever worrying or dazzling anyone. It's...a Toyota. 9:55 - The Crosstrek seems out of place here. It seems more like a car among the field. Subaru's busy styling is supposed to look rugged, but it seems more Aztek-y than rugged. For those who venture into trails, this one will get you in & out. There's nothing fun about it, though. 9:55 - Hyundai should be proud of the progress they made in the last 10-15 years (which is only 2009!) They have been daring to try new designs and still keep their approach of packing features into the car and offering a long warranty.
As a Hyuntdai tech, I haven't seen much issue with the 2024 Hyundai Kona. Highest mileage I've seen was 50,000 miles and no leaks, no issues, not even a single warranty claim. Seem like some Hyundais are a hit or miss at the moment. I personally wouldn't mind a Kona as there a few Hyundais that does not have issues at all with drivetrain nor electronics.
To quote another journalist, these are all “hatch-UVs”. Buy a Civic hatch, not an HR-V. Buy a Mazda 3 hatch, not a CX-30. Buy an Impreza, not a Crosstrek, etc. Same car, better mileage, better handling, lower price.
It looks like they were prioritizing touch screens and space. The number 1 and 2 cars had the biggest touch screens. Kona had the most space. CX30 is the smallest car here with the smallest non touch screen.
Bought the fully loaded Corolla Cross XSE. And I mean with everything. Back seat is tiny; never used the back seat in any car in 20 years. Won't care about this one. Car takes off like a little bitty rocket on short NYC highway on ramps, and fits neatly into small parking spots. Toyota quality and resale. 5K less than the RAV4, plus better mpgs.
@@blackwhirlwind1245 I disagree. Give yourself some time to get used to where everything is and it works great. The dial ensues that you can easily select icons while driving, I find hunting and pecking on a touchscreen to be more distracting. The Mazda interior is the nicest in class and it will have similar reliability (if not better) than Toyota and Honda.
@@blackwhirlwind1245 It is if you don’t have a brain. It’s honestly easy. But to give them last for that is insane. Best driving dynamics, best interior and more reliable than most of the competitors
I kinda get it. It’s the least “utility” of the bunch, even though it might be the most “sport”. And though I do like an interface that isn’t touch-only as well, I’m afraid we’re a very small minority in this opinion.
I'm a big CX-30 fan, but I can get why it's last depending your view point. It excels as at being the emotional choice(better design, cabin, powertrain, etc), but the other crossovers are better at being a point-A-to-B cheap appliance. I'd buy the CX-30 over all the others in a heartbeat, but it is what it is.
Got the Trax and love it. Would I love that it came with an AWD option? Yes, but overall it came down to what you got with your money and I think Chevy did a great job on this vehicle. Also the dealer I go to has been great and are in touch of addressing all the minor issues that have come up. I looked and test drive a majority of theses vehicles, and to me they were a little pricey (especially the Toyota, Honda and Mazda). Almost came down to the Subaru Crosstrek or the VW Taos. Had to wait for the Crosstrek to come in since they were slow replenishing their inventory for some reason and then the high prices. The Taos was a no-go with all of the engine issues they were having and the maintenance program being voided if I moved out of state (weird rule). So overall happy with my choice and it’s been a great car. Also note my least favorite car was the Toyota. And for the price they were charging was just rediculous.
I purchased a beautiful 2025 Hyundai Venue Ultimate Red Prefered Trim two weeks ago and I love ❤️ my amazing, beautiful Hyundai Venue subcompact SUV!!! 😊😍❤️
No. My old 2003 Honda CR-V is considerably bigger then my Wife's Crosstrek. The CR-V was always considered a midsize, as a full size was a suburban. So I really disagree with your assessment as in no way could you consider a larger CR-V in the same full size categories as behemoths like a suburban or Tahoe etc.
I didn’t trade my car in because of the handling of the SEL or Platinum trim suspension was cheaper than the N line. But N line to me was ugly and I liked the SEL w/convenience interior features.
I love my cx30 after testing with similar cars in the video it def felt fast and powerful, but also the most luxurious with so much little details and even the wipers tuck under the hood and hide when not in use or auto wipers too. Hyundai has stepped up their game but they need to stop putting the rear turn signal on the bottom of the car when I drive around others its so hard to see sometimes their blinker. And our friends new one overheated on a short road trip so I still don't really trust their engines.
If I was in this price range, I’d buy something else used. These are all BRUTAL. What a slog it must have been making this video. Kudos to you guys for sticking it out!
Sounds like the Honda you ran across had its headlights aimed too high, can't imagine they're all like that. Now Tesla models are all like that, super bright and annoying to oncoming drivers, very Elon.
I have experienced plenty of these Honda headlights lately. They’re all not pointing downward yet the NTSB approves these lights? They should be sued and others. I’ve signed a petition.
Every Sedan or hatch version of these cars is better if you have a family of 5. Shame that these reviews never truly test the rear center seat. Which is nearly always severely compromised to add SUV features. The Trax and Crosstrek are the only ones that don't harvest the rear middle seat. News flash, I dont want center armrests. I want rear air vents and a usable middle seat. The HRV rear middle is an all out lie.
Value wise, not really. It's an older model you're going to pay more for. If you absolutely don't need AWD, the Trax is the better buy. I currently have a TB and generally enjoy driving it, (I got a great deal) but the ride quality and road noise isn't great.
Corolla cross hybrid is #1 by a big margin. Too much plastic can see cost cutting but the powertrain with Lithium-Ion batteries is Lexus quality smooth and I could average 52+ milage in summer and around 44 in winter (Midwest)
I’m sorry but the carolla cross being that high on the list doesn’t make sense. Average space, boring interior and the only going for it was hybrid power train. I’ve been in the no hybrid version when they came out it feels like a base Corolla from 15 years ago.
@@dstevens518they had in their past vehicles as well. Their 6 cylinder SUV engines having gaskets leaks (can see this on all their forums) after the coverage has expired.
What I dislike about this is that they always review or compare the same cars, they maybe the most popular but I would like to see other brands in the channel.
@@fanovaohsmuts Volkswagen Taos (crazy because if it had a power tailgate and a better reliability reputation it would be among the best in the segment), Jeep Compass, Kia Seltos, Dodge Hornet, Ford Bronco Sport, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport/Eclipse Cross
I think crosstrek is the winner of these, just personally. It’s the best do-everything car here and one of the best do-everything cars for sale, period. And that’s coming from someone who loves sedans/hatchbacks. After the crosstrek, I’d take the Kona.
How did the design of the Kona make it past even the initial sketch stage let alone final approval for production?! It is one of the ugliest things, not just vehicles, I have ever seen.
In the real world the Trax is the affordable one. Because it's already getting healthy incentives. The version of the Kona that won is in the mid-30s. meaning if you're interest rate isn't great you're going to have twice the car payment.
To each their own but my personal likes and dislikes below are based on value, roominess, all weather capabilities and ground clearance, features and equipment, reliability and so on. Chevy Trax for the value play, old school standard sized sunroof vs huge pano roofs that creak and pop with noise over time, huge rear seat and interior, very nice screens, cool modern interior design, unique colors, large cargo area and a price leader with excellent equipment and maxed out with everything for around $27,000.00! Wow! However my worries would be some problems I have heard based around the 1.2L turbo 3 cylinder engines longterm reliability with its turbo and wet timing belt design and some electrical issues on the interior with 2024 models like infotainment screens and power accessories. Time will tell but overall this is a great pick and unbeatable value and since it was an all new model for 2024 the bugs should be worked out soon! Subaru Cross Trek for its off road capability, proven awd system and highest ground clearance, solid feel, all weather snow capabilities, reliability, ride quality of a more expensive vehicle, large screen, safety, and its naturally aspirated engine which I prefer for longevity and reliability. Overall I think this is a good vehicle worth the price in all trims. My issues would be that some people online complain of slow laggy screens with glitches. Nissan Kicks for its new modern upbeat styling, cool color options, newly available AWD, upscale interior in SR Premium especially, zero gravity seats, amazing 360 degree camera, rear automatic braking, cool 10 speaker Bose audio system and large screens, time tested and proven 2.0L Naturally aspirated 4 cylinder, great ground clearance for all weather snowy climates (only Cross Trek is better), and roomy cargo area. However I dislike how the price has really jacked up on the top trim by about $6,000.00 over the previous generation Kicks even though it is a new platform with a larger engine, AWD, more features and a pano roof thats quite a price jump. My loaded 2023 Nissan Kicks SR top trim with Premium Package, Premium Paid, Splash Guards and Floor Mats had an MSRP of $26,130.00. Also it being an all new model for 2025 there could be some bugs that need worked out like the Trax but time will tell. I wish they would have made the rear seat leg room and head room better for an all new model. My 2023 Nissan Kicks seems roomier than this in leg room even though it’s supposedly not I can however say mine definitely has more headroom by far than the new model. Honda HR-V for its roomy front seating area and roomy cargo area, solid interior quality, refined, great safety features, simple yet sporty exterior design and its Naturally aspirated 2.0L 4 cylinder engine for reliability. My issues would be seeing online lots of people have issues with Honda seats after purchase for being uncomfortable and wheels looks plain and basic on top trim EX-L. Toyota Corolla Cross for its Toyota Reliability, hybrid and regular gas options, great mpg’s, for the Hybrid, roomy enough cargo area and pretty good exterior looks. My negatives would be its dated looking interior, lack of features, cramped interior, loud engine when accelerating and somewhat dated seeming design overall. Plus Toyota reliability is not near what it used to be and is really taking a hit over the past year and thats a shame mostly due to some supplier issues and the introduction of new Turbo engines on alot of their models and price hikes. Also what is up with the huge tail lights on this like the Rav-4 then the red parking light / brake light are one tiny led??? Have you been behind either of these Toyotas on the road its actually dangerous and so basic and cheap looking with all the wasted tail light lense space and one small led for the brake lights. Hyundai Kona has very sharp futuristic styling inside and out, airy feeling interior, roomy, lots of modern features, cool key fob design, priced well for what you get, long 10 year warranty, and nice screens. My issues would be all the Hyundai and Kia fires that pop up right and left and issues with engine reliability especially the 1.6L Turbo 4 cylinder. Also Hyundai seems to have a good many recalls as time goes. Reliability would be mu biggest worry here. The Mazda CX-30 is an upscale option, has luxury interior materials, sporty coupe SUV looks, great on safety, and has proven to be reliable especially with the Naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engine. However I think its overpriced especially in its highest trims compared to the competition online a fully loaded model when I built one can hit almost $38,000.00, has a very cramped interior with small windows, small rear seat and cargo area and a dated looking infotainment system. I will say though Mazdas seem to be very safe and reliable. I personally would save the money and go for the Mazda 3 AWD sedan over this.
The Mazda CX30 should be at least in the top three! The interior is beautiful and high-quality, and in terms of materials, it almost competes with premium brands like Audi and BMW. The others looked cheap (except for the Kona)
Woah woah woah... Did you say you still have to use a dial to navigate mazdas infotainment? thats a FEATURE not a backdated design. They did that on purpose.. its actually better. We hate touchscreens. Why would I take my hand away from the instrument cluster or the steering wheel to thumb around with my hands on a TOUCHSCREEN? nah, being able to seemlessly change things through muscle memory with a tactile dial? now thats ingenuity and they actually explain that when that came out just 4 years ago! DO you guys even know about vehicles? Like what the heck... They PURPOSELY made it this way. THats the Mazda way. Function and safety. *Literally came out Jan 2020
Least space plus Mazda's tech that typically lags behind the competition put it there. Realistically, most consumers in this class care more about space and tech than they do driving dynamics and fit and finish
@@re14437 I'd go with the Mazda3 Hatch over the CX-30 as I prefer its design. If I had to pick a subcompact SUV, the CX-30 would be my second choice after the Kona/Seltos
Hardpass on all 7. Kia Niro plug in hybrid, 48+ miles per gallon, 30 electric miles per charge. 500 mile range. Good seeating for 4 with air vents for back seat passengers. Would definitely take a Niro over the Kona
Let us know what order you'd rank these sub-compacts below!
no
Each one has it's advantages, but for me it would have to be the Corolla Cross.
@@kbb trax corolla cross, hrv, cx5 ,kona.
I'm not going to specifically mention any cars that weren't in this video, but if the Kona has a sister car, can we assume you like that also?
Kona of course especially 1.6T combined with 8-speed transmission
I bought a 25 Nissan Kicks a few weeks ago and I’m obsessed! It’s quickly become my favorite vehicle owned to date. The design is stunning, the interior is sleek and comfortable. Highly recommend.
My mom is looking for a small suv and she's looking at kicks or hrv. Are there any things about the kick you don't love?
@@micaelaG10honestly. I adore it. Favorite car I’ve owned to date… it’s small and peppy but sits up off the ground. I have the base model with AWD upgrade and it’s been a gem in the winter driving too.
@@HeyGuncle thank you for your reply! Definitely prefer AWD for her :)
I’m surprise that the Mazda was in 7th place with all of the good things it offered
Lower than Nissan and Hyundai which are proven to be disposable brands/models 😂 these ratings are either a joke or paid
I’m a Toyota guy but in my opinion Mazda is the most underrated car manufacturer in the world.
Have you driven it? All the features in the world don't matter if the ride sucks and ownership is annoying. When shopping the Mazda 3 hatch vs others, the Mazda 3 had the worst handling (a surprise from the ZOOM ZOOM brand), and features like remote start were a monthly subscription. Worst CVT I experienced, plus bad handling + subscriptions equal a bad car, no matter the features. If those characteristics carried forward to this vehicle, I could see how they could tank this car. If the core is rotten, the apple is bad, no matter how pretty it looks. No substitution for a test drive.
My brother had a Kia(Hyundai) Seltos with the 1.6 liter engine and failed in 2 years. He went back to Honda. I hope Hyundai fixes the Engine problems soon instead of extending the warranty and leaving it to the user's luck.
My mom has this car, Kia Seltos 2021
My ex got a brand new Hyundai Tucson before Covid. The check engine light was habitually on, went through 2 catalytic converters in under 50k. She got rid of that thing before 70k and got a Mazda C-30 and loves it. Zero issues.
I love CX 30 and HRV. I drive Mitsubishi outlander Sport AWD 2017. I brought it in 2022. I will it off in 2025 early.
learn him to change oil at 3K mile
The lighting, the choreogpraphy and camera movement in the opening of the video is just phenomenal. Very well done. Whoever produced this video needs a raise.
I test drove both the Kona and Corolla. Not only Corolla was a few grand more $, I was shocked how small, cramped the 2nd row felt and lack of features compared to Kona. For obvious reasons, I got the 24 Kona and zero regretts. Love this thing.
Subaru CROSSTREK winner for me ❤❤ the closest looking to wagon 😊😂😂
Great video KBB team,
You rank them all on things I don't care about.
I care about basic reliability, and good looks.
Looks are subjective
The problem is dealing with quality is a totally different matter. The last ranked Mazda with its older technology will last a long time without problems. The higher ranked CVT units will have a hard time making to 100,000 without transmission problems, and in all cases they will fail by about 150,000 unless you change the fluid every 15,000 miles in the transmission - which most people won't do. The Theta engine co-developed by Mitsubishi, Hyundai/Kia, and Nissan is so bad in the Kona that you can read about it on the internet. Class action lawsuits (which they have lost) against that engine which prematurely self-destructs in a majority of the cars before 100K would eliminate this top ranked car from most people's lists if they did their research.
Cars are not built to last anymore. They want you to get a new car every 3-5 years. Not 10-15 years.
@@conceptcs Really depends on the brand because from all of these 7, only 2 (Nissan & Hyundai) that has a high chance of not even lasting for 3yrs and thats a proven fact unfortunately
Good thing not everything is about you. Who cares what you want. There are 8 billion other human beings besides yourself. Duh
The Mazda is my favourite, aged like wine. Love the Alfa Romeo like styling honestly. The Honda HR-V's engine is probably the most reliable out of all of these cars (my Civic has the same K20 engine with 95,000 miles, super reliable so far). But even in my car it is sluggish. Imagine trying to merge on the highway with the HR-V. O_O
Thanks for reuploading a clearer video!
I still want a sedan…
Same
I think each of the brands showcased here offer that. Shame they are not as popular but by talking with your wallet maybe that can be turned around.
Or a Ford Fiesta or a Prius Ev
🤢🤮. Sedans have lost their practicality. Few have AWD, ride height is limited, cargo area is compromised as well
Nah
The Mazda was denied..Love mine. A vehicle for people who love driving as opposed to just getting there.
I still would chose the Nissan Kicks over most of these being that it looks more aggressive and that it does not have a Turbo or Hybrid to deal with .. The CVT can handle at 2.0 4 cylinder ...
Savageese I think reviewed the kicks. Fred Flintstone's foot generated torque is faster🤢🤢🤢
Mazda should be number one in terms of driving dynamics
Agree. I looked at this car and it was on the pricey side for what you get.
Right the Mazda seem to be better in a lot of ways compared to the competitors
@@steve-s6o4b could I ask why you think its not a good value for what is included? even on the base you get a bunch of luxury features like all led lights even interior. Leather everywhere and soft touch surfaces everywhere. Auto rain sensing wipers and they hide and tuck under the hood. a lot of the stuff is hard to spot since they make it so seamless. But also with having a new and old mazda vs fam and friends with things like subaru and honda my dealers prices for oil changes and maintenance is CONSIDERABLY lower lmao.
Well its an overall test. Not a driving test.
@@DeeeBeee123 For the everyday person who cares about A to B transportation and practicality perhaps they would be more interested in the other competitors but for driving enthusiasts, the Mazda would likely be the best option out of all the offerings
Great review KBB team. This is a great idea! Happy Holidays to you all!!
My own personal order would go as follows…. To each their own 😊
1. Chevy Trax (best value)
2. Subaru CrossTrek (best off road)
3. Nissan Kicks (hip look & cool colors)
4. Honda HR-V (sensible choice)
5. Toyota Corolla Cross (hybrid mpg’s)
6. Hyundai Kona (10 year warranty)
7. Mazda CX-30 (sporty driving)
I don't like your list either.
Mine would go
Chevy
Honda
Hyundai
Mazda
Toyota
Nissan
Subaru
Space and comfort mean the most to me. I like luxury and comfortability. We're in our cars 1/3rd of our lives. Might as well have a smooth ride and spacious leather seats. The kicks ride is terrible! Subarus are ugly, toyotas are too small uncomfortable with basic interior and mazdas are pretty and sporty but too small and doesn't look like a man's car. I'm a man by the way lol.
@@wellfleetion Hey thats ok thats why all of these cars sell and each one is a good car. Im sure every one of these vehicles is #1 to many different people.
I bought the Kona N. It’s very very fun
Wife has 2025 Seltos EX...so far a pretty great car.
Sister car to the Kona...both are a great choice.💯
I’d go with the Crosstrek just personally. Mazda is a close second, I just can’t get past the exterior of the CX-30, the side profile with the plastic doesn’t look good.
When fitted with 17 inch wheels, the Crosstrek is by far the most comfortable on bad roads.
I have a '24...which really is no different than the '25....and I love driving it. 😊
The Crosstrek is good, but having that big screen where the HVAC controls in the screen is a deal breaker for me.
@@logan1769 The Crosstrek is a slug. What's it's like 9.5 seconds to 60🤢🤢
2:38 - The CX-30 is not convincing as the "upscale" vehicle Mazda wants to be considered.
3:40 - Nissan beat Mazda in this publication's opinion. Good job, Nissan! They're on the struggle bus financially, but they haven't given up at the design team. I wouldn't buy one because of the brand's notorious reliability.
5:47 - Chevrolet paid some designers. That's new for them! They made an interesting-looking package out of the humdrum Trax. The engine is a deal-breaker for me. That tiny engine will be overtaxed throughout its life.
7:58 - Honda has done a good job evolving the HR-V over the model's life. It's bizarre that the HR-V has grown to the size of the original CR-V. I like the interior and consider it more appealing than the supposedly "upscale" CX-30.
9:55 - They should have reused the Matrix name. It doesn't have the same youthful personality as that Matrix, but it fills the same slot in the lineup. This feels like one of those vehicles that will do its job for years without ever worrying or dazzling anyone. It's...a Toyota.
9:55 - The Crosstrek seems out of place here. It seems more like a car among the field. Subaru's busy styling is supposed to look rugged, but it seems more Aztek-y than rugged. For those who venture into trails, this one will get you in & out. There's nothing fun about it, though.
9:55 - Hyundai should be proud of the progress they made in the last 10-15 years (which is only 2009!) They have been daring to try new designs and still keep their approach of packing features into the car and offering a long warranty.
to think a few years ago this would be the accent/rio/yaris/fit/fiesta/sonic/spark
Miss those fun cheap cars
#1 Mazda CX-30
#2 Subaru Crosstrek
#3 Toyota Corolla Cross
Ew. Those all look funny and have cramped backseats
The mazda dial is absolutely AMAZING. I HATE HATE HATE touchscreens
who upvotes this? lmao!
@ touchscreens are less efficient and more dangerous
Yay! I’m not the only one! I CAN’T STAND touchscreens. Sorry not sorry.
I loved the format here!
Rocking my Accent 👍
As a Hyuntdai tech, I haven't seen much issue with the 2024 Hyundai Kona. Highest mileage I've seen was 50,000 miles and no leaks, no issues, not even a single warranty claim. Seem like some Hyundais are a hit or miss at the moment. I personally wouldn't mind a Kona as there a few Hyundais that does not have issues at all with drivetrain nor electronics.
I drive a Mitsubishi outlander sport AWD 2017. I brought it in 2022. I will pay it off in 2025 early. I love the CX 30 and the HRV.
They are all great. It comes down to what your individual presence is.
I'd suggest that any of these that don't offer AWD are more properly called a hatchback, rather then an SUV.
I miss having more options for hot hatches.
Excellent comparison guys!!
Didn't expect to see you here! What's your favorite?
@ Kona or Crosstrek for me
🤣🤣🖐8:40 looks like that HRV driver was escaping from a bank robbery!🤣🤣🔥
We know Micah was driving.
😂
To quote another journalist, these are all “hatch-UVs”. Buy a Civic hatch, not an HR-V. Buy a Mazda 3 hatch, not a CX-30. Buy an Impreza, not a Crosstrek, etc. Same car, better mileage, better handling, lower price.
Someone tell Honda to put the hybrid powertrain and other upgrades from the 2025 Civic in the HR-V.
You lost me at Mazda at #7. It deserves and is at top #3 Forsure.
Ohhhh! To be a car reviewer . Living the dream.
I think the Mazda CX-30 should have won.
Too tight back seat
It got last place because there’s no room and it gets bad mpg, those are the most important things for people buying these
It looks like they were prioritizing touch screens and space. The number 1 and 2 cars had the biggest touch screens. Kona had the most space. CX30 is the smallest car here with the smallest non touch screen.
Love my 2024 EV Kona love the KBB agrees with me 🎉
So weird
@@GabrielRodriguez-jq9pr The Kona us hideous. It looks like Frankenstein put together with different parts. Not cohesive
Kicks gives you alot for the money and that cvt has been tune to drive like a auto transmission.
Harsh ride. Well the old one at least. And tiny backseat.
Bought the fully loaded Corolla Cross XSE. And I mean with everything. Back seat is tiny; never used the back seat in any car in 20 years. Won't care about this one. Car takes off like a little bitty rocket on short NYC highway on ramps, and fits neatly into small parking spots. Toyota quality and resale. 5K less than the RAV4, plus better mpgs.
Mazda in last? Really KBB?
Infotainment is absolutely a deal breaker
@@blackwhirlwind1245 I disagree. Give yourself some time to get used to where everything is and it works great. The dial ensues that you can easily select icons while driving, I find hunting and pecking on a touchscreen to be more distracting. The Mazda interior is the nicest in class and it will have similar reliability (if not better) than Toyota and Honda.
@@blackwhirlwind1245 It is if you don’t have a brain. It’s honestly easy. But to give them last for that is insane. Best driving dynamics, best interior and more reliable than most of the competitors
I kinda get it. It’s the least “utility” of the bunch, even though it might be the most “sport”. And though I do like an interface that isn’t touch-only as well, I’m afraid we’re a very small minority in this opinion.
I'm a big CX-30 fan, but I can get why it's last depending your view point. It excels as at being the emotional choice(better design, cabin, powertrain, etc), but the other crossovers are better at being a point-A-to-B cheap appliance. I'd buy the CX-30 over all the others in a heartbeat, but it is what it is.
Got the Trax and love it. Would I love that it came with an AWD option? Yes, but overall it came down to what you got with your money and I think Chevy did a great job on this vehicle. Also the dealer I go to has been great and are in touch of addressing all the minor issues that have come up. I looked and test drive a majority of theses vehicles, and to me they were a little pricey (especially the Toyota, Honda and Mazda). Almost came down to the Subaru Crosstrek or the VW Taos. Had to wait for the Crosstrek to come in since they were slow replenishing their inventory for some reason and then the high prices. The Taos was a no-go with all of the engine issues they were having and the maintenance program being voided if I moved out of state (weird rule). So overall happy with my choice and it’s been a great car.
Also note my least favorite car was the Toyota. And for the price they were charging was just rediculous.
I purchased a beautiful 2025 Hyundai Venue Ultimate Red Prefered Trim two weeks ago and I love ❤️ my amazing, beautiful Hyundai Venue subcompact SUV!!! 😊😍❤️
Can't believe these are considered subcompact. 15-20 yrs ago these would have been considered midsized.
Everyone is fat
No. My old 2003 Honda CR-V is considerably bigger then my Wife's Crosstrek. The CR-V was always considered a midsize, as a full size was a suburban. So I really disagree with your assessment as in no way could you consider a larger CR-V in the same full size categories as behemoths like a suburban or Tahoe etc.
And 60 years ago they would have been considered microscopic in the US.
@@rbaile508 The point is; this current HRV is probably bigger than the late 90s CRV.
I believe the trax should be way higher. Gr8 design, gr8, value , and loaded with features.
👏👏👏👏 exactly
I test drove a Kona last week. It was fantastic.
I didn’t trade my car in because of the handling of the SEL or Platinum trim suspension was cheaper than the N line. But N line to me was ugly and I liked the SEL w/convenience interior features.
100% agreed, the 2025 Kona is miles ahead of the others
Too bad Nissan didn’t put the engine from the Juke in the Kicks.
The Kicks is ahead of the Mazda.....KBB has lost a respect from me😂
The CX30 is just not competitive anymore. KBB is far from the only ones that have most others in front of them.
Which one have you driven recently
@@letsgo4834 I am not a reviewer. Just listening to the people that do it for a living.
@ so you don’t know what either of them are actually like. Got it.
Drive them and youll be very disappointed that they are correct
I love my cx30 after testing with similar cars in the video it def felt fast and powerful, but also the most luxurious with so much little details and even the wipers tuck under the hood and hide when not in use or auto wipers too. Hyundai has stepped up their game but they need to stop putting the rear turn signal on the bottom of the car when I drive around others its so hard to see sometimes their blinker. And our friends new one overheated on a short road trip so I still don't really trust their engines.
Looking forward to y'alls review of the upcoming 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan and the PHEV version as well
If I was in this price range, I’d buy something else used. These are all BRUTAL. What a slog it must have been making this video. Kudos to you guys for sticking it out!
No Buick envista?
Basically a trax lol
The 3 cylinder cars (Trax etc.) are all Chinese cars in GM skin. May be good but not for me.
@@adambakkam1527 Nah they were Daewoo, which is Korean, and they are badddddd lol
Honda needs to fix the head light. It is too high. I swore it was high beam, but it was not. I was driving explore. Still, it blinded me.
Sounds like the Honda you ran across had its headlights aimed too high, can't imagine they're all like that. Now Tesla models are all like that, super bright and annoying to oncoming drivers, very Elon.
I have experienced plenty of these Honda headlights lately. They’re all not pointing downward yet the NTSB approves these lights? They should be sued and others. I’ve signed a petition.
I see that you guys were in Palm Desert. We have a timeshare with the Marriott resort on Cook Street. Great comparison review!!
Every Sedan or hatch version of these cars is better if you have a family of 5. Shame that these reviews never truly test the rear center seat. Which is nearly always severely compromised to add SUV features. The Trax and Crosstrek are the only ones that don't harvest the rear middle seat. News flash, I dont want center armrests. I want rear air vents and a usable middle seat. The HRV rear middle is an all out lie.
I think that the Chevy Trailblazer 1.3 AWD is a better all-arounder than the Trax
Value wise, not really. It's an older model you're going to pay more for. If you absolutely don't need AWD, the Trax is the better buy.
I currently have a TB and generally enjoy driving it, (I got a great deal) but the ride quality and road noise isn't great.
We need the regular VW golf and golf wagon back.
Great review. Thank you.
Honda HR-V seat is horrible. I hope the leather trim is a lot better than the basic seat. 9:53
Remember when they used to say that Americans WON"T buy hatchbacks? My, how times have changed.
9:56 the Corolla Cross is really the RAV-3 bump down of the RAV4
Corolla cross hybrid is #1 by a big margin. Too much plastic can see cost cutting but the powertrain with Lithium-Ion batteries is Lexus quality smooth and I could average 52+ milage in summer and around 44 in winter (Midwest)
Too small in the back. Cheap interior is its downfall.
Great Comparison 👍
I’m sorry but the carolla cross being that high on the list doesn’t make sense. Average space, boring interior and the only going for it was hybrid power train. I’ve been in the no hybrid version when they came out it feels like a base Corolla from 15 years ago.
Toyota is best
@@davidjym Toyota WERE best, but they've got a lot of new products with issues, and major ones like drivetrains!
@@dstevens518 Like most new models, just have to wait 2 or 3 years for them to sort things out.
Agree and when I test drove it, loose steering and uncomfortable ride. I was really they are asking for this amount of $$$ for this car.
@@dstevens518they had in their past vehicles as well. Their 6 cylinder SUV engines having gaskets leaks (can see this on all their forums) after the coverage has expired.
Mazda CX-30 for the win! It's the best overall value and provides the most premium experience, safety, HP and torque for the price!
11:58 The Corolla Cross does not get 42 MPG. More like 35 MPG
Too bad people keep overpaying for suv’s. Sedans are much more practical and a lot of them come with awd now
What I dislike about this is that they always review or compare the same cars, they maybe the most popular but I would like to see other brands in the channel.
What other subcompact SUCs weren’t covered in the video?
@@fanovaohsmutsFord Escape, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Buick Encore,Buick Envista, Jeep Compass and the list goes on.
@@fanovaohsmuts Volkswagen Taos (crazy because if it had a power tailgate and a better reliability reputation it would be among the best in the segment), Jeep Compass, Kia Seltos, Dodge Hornet, Ford Bronco Sport, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport/Eclipse Cross
All those CVTs, GDI engines, and black wheels are deal-killers for me.
The turbos, too.
The Honda HR-V possibly has the most reliable engine in the group because it has regular fuel injection, not GDI.
I think crosstrek is the winner of these, just personally. It’s the best do-everything car here and one of the best do-everything cars for sale, period. And that’s coming from someone who loves sedans/hatchbacks. After the crosstrek, I’d take the Kona.
How did the design of the Kona make it past even the initial sketch stage let alone final approval for production?! It is one of the ugliest things, not just vehicles, I have ever seen.
😂😂😂 its the future
In the real world the Trax is the affordable one. Because it's already getting healthy incentives.
The version of the Kona that won is in the mid-30s. meaning if you're interest rate isn't great you're going to have twice the car payment.
To each their own but my personal likes and dislikes below are based on value, roominess, all weather capabilities and ground clearance, features and equipment, reliability and so on.
Chevy Trax for the value play, old school standard sized sunroof vs huge pano roofs that creak and pop with noise over time, huge rear seat and interior, very nice screens, cool modern interior design, unique colors, large cargo area and a price leader with excellent equipment and maxed out with everything for around $27,000.00! Wow! However my worries would be some problems I have heard based around the 1.2L turbo 3 cylinder engines longterm reliability with its turbo and wet timing belt design and some electrical issues on the interior with 2024 models like infotainment screens and power accessories. Time will tell but overall this is a great pick and unbeatable value and since it was an all new model for 2024 the bugs should be worked out soon!
Subaru Cross Trek for its off road capability, proven awd system and highest ground clearance, solid feel, all weather snow capabilities, reliability, ride quality of a more expensive vehicle, large screen, safety, and its naturally aspirated engine which I prefer for longevity and reliability. Overall I think this is a good vehicle worth the price in all trims. My issues would be that some people online complain of slow laggy screens with glitches.
Nissan Kicks for its new modern upbeat styling, cool color options, newly available AWD, upscale interior in SR Premium especially, zero gravity seats, amazing 360 degree camera, rear automatic braking, cool 10 speaker Bose audio system and large screens, time tested and proven 2.0L Naturally aspirated 4 cylinder, great ground clearance for all weather snowy climates (only Cross Trek is better), and roomy cargo area. However I dislike how the price has really jacked up on the top trim by about $6,000.00 over the previous generation Kicks even though it is a new platform with a larger engine, AWD, more features and a pano roof thats quite a price jump. My loaded 2023 Nissan Kicks SR top trim with Premium Package, Premium Paid, Splash Guards and Floor Mats had an MSRP of $26,130.00. Also it being an all new model for 2025 there could be some bugs that need worked out like the Trax but time will tell. I wish they would have made the rear seat leg room and head room better for an all new model. My 2023 Nissan Kicks seems roomier than this in leg room even though it’s supposedly not I can however say mine definitely has more headroom by far than the new model.
Honda HR-V for its roomy front seating area and roomy cargo area, solid interior quality, refined, great safety features, simple yet sporty exterior design and its Naturally aspirated 2.0L 4 cylinder engine for reliability. My issues would be seeing online lots of people have issues with Honda seats after purchase for being uncomfortable and wheels looks plain and basic on top trim EX-L.
Toyota Corolla Cross for its Toyota Reliability, hybrid and regular gas options, great mpg’s, for the Hybrid, roomy enough cargo area and pretty good exterior looks. My negatives would be its dated looking interior, lack of features, cramped interior, loud engine when accelerating and somewhat dated seeming design overall. Plus Toyota reliability is not near what it used to be and is really taking a hit over the past year and thats a shame mostly due to some supplier issues and the introduction of new Turbo engines on alot of their models and price hikes. Also what is up with the huge tail lights on this like the Rav-4 then the red parking light / brake light are one tiny led??? Have you been behind either of these Toyotas on the road its actually dangerous and so basic and cheap looking with all the wasted tail light lense space and one small led for the brake lights.
Hyundai Kona has very sharp futuristic styling inside and out, airy feeling interior, roomy, lots of modern features, cool key fob design, priced well for what you get, long 10 year warranty, and nice screens. My issues would be all the Hyundai and Kia fires that pop up right and left and issues with engine reliability especially the 1.6L Turbo 4 cylinder. Also Hyundai seems to have a good many recalls as time goes. Reliability would be mu biggest worry here.
The Mazda CX-30 is an upscale option, has luxury interior materials, sporty coupe SUV looks, great on safety, and has proven to be reliable especially with the Naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engine. However I think its overpriced especially in its highest trims compared to the competition online a fully loaded model when I built one can hit almost $38,000.00, has a very cramped interior with small windows, small rear seat and cargo area and a dated looking infotainment system. I will say though Mazdas seem to be very safe and reliable. I personally would save the money and go for the Mazda 3 AWD sedan over this.
Lyn is KBB's subcompact reviewer, while Danger is KBB's full size reviewer. 😅
We love our 2025 Honda HRV Sport. Wish rear bumper was better. One small bump and hatch will be dented.
1st Kona 1.6T
2nd Kona 2.0L
3rd Kona EV
Bring back sedans
Not likely
Lol... NO
The Mazda CX30 should be at least in the top three! The interior is beautiful and high-quality, and in terms of materials, it almost competes with premium brands like Audi and BMW. The others looked cheap (except for the Kona)
Woah woah woah... Did you say you still have to use a dial to navigate mazdas infotainment? thats a FEATURE not a backdated design. They did that on purpose.. its actually better. We hate touchscreens. Why would I take my hand away from the instrument cluster or the steering wheel to thumb around with my hands on a TOUCHSCREEN? nah, being able to seemlessly change things through muscle memory with a tactile dial? now thats ingenuity and they actually explain that when that came out just 4 years ago! DO you guys even know about vehicles? Like what the heck... They PURPOSELY made it this way. THats the Mazda way. Function and safety. *Literally came out Jan 2020
@@Blank5115 yeah, it’s so much fun to type things one letter at a time with a scroll wheel
@@jacobyo99 it’s fast, it’s snappy and if you can’t handle typing fast, it has great voice recognition.
Okay boomer
They said "polarizing".
You can actually make the Mazda a touchscreen with Android auto and car play.
Without including the Honda HR-v this test session makes absolutely no sense.🤷🏼🙄
Anyone who dares to pan a Lynn or the Danger Man video deserves to drive Yugos for the rest of their natural lives!
Tired of these cuv's (please stop calling them SUVs) cant afford these expensive minivans.
Omg yes bring back the Juke
Lyn always dresses like she’s just come from repainting her kitchen. 😅🎉
Kona's also #1 with car thieves.
Why steal something nobody wants? 👀🙄
These are subcompacts not mid sized ones. I like the Corolla Cross but I wish we could get the hybrid station wagon that is out in Europe.
You give HP numbers but not torque? Do you know the importance of torque?
You didn’t include the BMW
i generally like your comparo videos but putting a mazda cx30 at the bottom of that bunch? what are you smoking? :P
Least space plus Mazda's tech that typically lags behind the competition put it there. Realistically, most consumers in this class care more about space and tech than they do driving dynamics and fit and finish
I get what Jamal is saying, but I would also go with the Mazda
@@re14437 I'd go with the Mazda3 Hatch over the CX-30 as I prefer its design. If I had to pick a subcompact SUV, the CX-30 would be my second choice after the Kona/Seltos
Hardpass on all 7. Kia Niro plug in hybrid, 48+ miles per gallon, 30 electric miles per charge. 500 mile range. Good seeating for 4 with air vents for back seat passengers. Would definitely take a Niro over the Kona
You didn’t include the Ferrari Purosangue? ;-)
Hatchbacks with worse mileage gotta love consumer tastes
I love that lady’s sweater that said leave me alone😂!
Juke?! That was the worst looking vehicle I've seen since the Pontiac Aztec 🤣 IMO.
Yep.. Juke puke...
Cx30 is goated.
I can't believe you didn't include the 2003 Suzuki Vitara! 😆
2025 TAOS ?
Iv never seen any of these cars how bout using rav 4 and crv comparison?
I got kia seltos. Its really good...
Love it