2022 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo

Subcompact crossovers have shortly change into the attainable and sensible choice for patrons on a price range, nonetheless these automobiles have by no means actually been recognized for his or her construct high quality, expertise, and efficiency. In 2021 due to 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 might simply attract shoppers of all ages, however in case you are available in the market for both of these automobiles at round $30k, which goes to be the higher choice? Effectively 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 automobiles at this value level is that exterior appearances aren’t essentially the most attractive, nonetheless the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona could possibly be seen as being the most effective 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 facet 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 greater 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 automobile, however there’s additionally a way of simplicity in addition to the entrance fascia has a whole lot of continuity with the chrome accents outlining the grille and integrating into the LED headlights. Then for the rear finish, there’s a standard 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 patrons who’ve been reluctant to buy a crossover.

Hyundai Kona

Then for the Hyundai Kona, it’s at all times had a futuristic type to it, whereas additionally taking a very totally different strategy 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 acquired a minor facelift, with a slight redesign to the grey cladding because it not integrates into the headlights, and this time round outlines the decrease portion of the entrance bumper and wraps across the complete automobile. Fashionable with the design cues, the Kona is youthful and adventurous, being extra daring than boxy alternate options whereas additionally showing to be a hatchback reasonably than a crossover, and to a sure diploma that’s going to have a detrimental impact on inside dimensions. If the off-road look is just not your type, 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 available on the market at the moment.

Inside

Stepping inside, this might very properly be the deal maker or breaker should you’re cross-shopping these 2 fashions. Whereas each have their strengths, a few of these weaknesses might play a task through which automobile 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 search out, not solely within the subcompact crossover market but in addition 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 facet 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 in addition 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 can 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 out there on the Kona for 2022, because it was provided on the Final however that trim was reduce from the lineup.

Shifting over to the infotainment system, this person interface is just not 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 acquired twin performance, this head unit could be similar to BMW’s iDrive 7 system, however sadly you possibly can solely use the rotary dial which is able to 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 if you would like a touchscreen you’ll have to look elsewhere. For those who go for the Premium Plus, you’ll have extra digicam angles, with a high view and facet views to associate with your rear backup digicam to assist park this crossover.

For the remainder of the inside format, 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 can be piano black trim for the middle console, which is able to change into a trouble to wash over time, however total the the CX-30’s inside is likely one of the finest we’ve come throughout in relation to consolation.

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona however isn’t essentially going to wow you in relation to consolation and smooth contact padding like we’ve seen with the CX-30, nonetheless should you love inside expertise then the 2022 Hyundai Kona Restricted will possible be the most effective 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 brief, it redeems itself with a contemporary inside format, as there can be a full digital gauge cluster that we see within the new Tucson and Santa Fe, and in relation to performance and backbone, that is what you’d anticipate in luxurious automobiles as you’ll have the flexibility to scroll by way of quite a lot of info. As talked about earlier there isn’t any 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 screen are fast entry buttons, however due to the responsive and refinement of this person interface, you’re going to search out that this head unit is likely 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 expertise out there outclasses rivals to create the notion that this crossover is an entry degree luxurious automobile with a tech bundle that might rival Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti. Under you’ll discover the buttons in your entrance and rear defrosters, however curiously sufficient you received’t have twin zone local weather management. Geared up on our mannequin and likewise provided on the CX-30 was a wi-fi telephone charging pad to as soon as once more present modern-day facilities.

In comparison side-by-side, there’s going to be trade-offs. You both go along with consolation or expertise, and this can merely come all the way down to your personal private preferences.

Practicality

The Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona discover themselves in the identical state of affairs in relation to inside room and total practicality, as automobiles of this measurement are solely going to be conducive for a household of 4 reasonably 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 similar, with the Mazda CX-30 coming in with 20.2 cubic ft of room and the Kona providing 19.2. It will 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 value taking a look at some greater rivals, nonetheless needless to say 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 as a rule 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 now have non-compulsory turbocharged 4 cylinder engines to make them one in every of a handful of crossovers on this section that convey 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 computerized transmission. The place the the CX-30 impresses is with it’s sub 6 second 0-60 time, falling proper in keeping with the Volkswagen GTI. Regardless of efficiency numbers showing to be respectable, the most important downside is with the 6 velocity computerized. 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 dearth of a twin clutch computerized or a quicker shifting transmission. Most drivers will discover the CX-30 turbo to be greater than enough, particularly over the bottom 2.5L naturally aspirated engine that begs for extra energy when accelerating, which is why paying a little bit further for the turbo is completely value it.

Then for the Hyundai Kona, the non-compulsory 1.6L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine goes to have 195 hp and 195 lb ft of torque and can be paired with a 7 velocity twin clutch computerized. There’s no query that should you’re critically taking a look at a Kona, you should go along with the the 1.6. Similar to with the CX-30, the two liter 4 cylinder engine discovered on decrease trims is just not going to be satisfying, and in reality 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 prompt, and whereas there’s a discrepancy in energy when evaluating each fashions, the Kona felt extra refined and responsive though it wasn’t as fast. As talked about throughout the evaluate, all of the criticisms we’d have with the Kona will possible be rectified when the Kona N arrives later this 12 months, 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 most likely been ready to learn how a lot you’ll be paying for the Hyundai Kona or Mazda CX-30, and the fashions we featured earlier this 12 months on the channel was a Kona Restricted and CX-30 Turbo Premium, which really 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 value of $32,450 with AWD coming commonplace. the Hyundai Kona Restricted will begin at $28,250 with AWD being a $1400 choice, however even if 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 value level of just below $26k, whereas the CX-30 Turbo will value over $30k.

We’re nonetheless ready to search out out the pricing for the brand new Kona N, however more than likely it can fall proper in keeping with the CX-30 Premium Plus which goes to value proper round $35k.

Total

In conclusion, if you issue within the expertise that’s made out there to you at round $30k, the Hyundai Kona turns into a really attractive choice. On the flip facet, the Mazda CX-30 goes to have a greater inside and a faster acceleration time, so each automobiles have their professionals 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 shedding a lot exterior of soppy contact padding by wanting previous the Mazda CX-30. In 2021, we would like modern-day expertise, and Hyundai is providing that at a value level nobody else is on this section, which is why the 2022 Kona is one in every of our early candidates for the most effective subcompact crossover available on the market this 12 months. However as at all times, we advocate to check drive each automobiles to see which one fits you finest, and possibly you’ll discover out that the Mazda CX-30 is a greater total crossover for you.

Listed here are the hyperlink to the complete evaluations for each fashions.