For quite some time now, Mazda has been angling to become the premier entry-level luxury brand. Vehicles like the CX-30 offer an upscale feel and a laundry list of standard features, all at a surprisingly modest base price. Of course, that begs the question: can you really provide a true luxury experience at a low price without cutting corners?
On the other hand, we have the Honda HR-V. Can the famously dependable subcompact compete with Mazda’s brand of wallet-friendly yet high-end style? We’re here to find out. Read on to see which one comes out on top for Springfield, MO car shoppers in 2026.
Honda HR-V vs. Mazda CX-30: Price
First, let’s go ahead and check out the bottom line—how much can you expect to pay for each of these popular subcompacts?
2026 Honda HR-V MSRP by trim:
- LX: $26,200
- Sport: $28,000
- EX-L: $30,050
2026 Mazda CX-30 MSRP by trim:
- S: $25,975
- S Select Sport: $27,660
- S Preferred: $29,290
- S Aire Edition: $29,850
- Carbon Edition: $31,030
- S Premium: $33,240
- Turbo Aire Edition: $34,410
- Turbo Premium Plus: $37,900
Both start out at practically the same price point, within a couple hundred bucks of each other. However, the CX-30 quickly outpaces the HR-V as you work your way up the lineup, with a top-level price of nearly eight grand more, meaning you’ll need quite a bit more capital to access the CX-30’s true luxury features.
Honda HR-V vs. Mazda CX-30: Performance
The 2026 HR-V has a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with a CVT transmission and front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for a modest upcharge. This setup probably isn’t winning you any drag races, but that’s not the point—the HR-V is more about fuel economy, and it’s rated for up to 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.
Meanwhile, the 2026 CX-30 has two engine options. The base motor is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 186 horsepower, while the top-level trims get a turbocharged version that cranks out up to 250 horsepower with premium fuel. A six-speed auto and all-wheel drive come standard across the lineup, and it’s rated for up to 24 MPG city and 31 MPG highway.
So, while the HR-V gets slightly better gas mileage, the CX-30 tends to have more satisfying acceleration.
Honda HR-V vs. Mazda CX-30: Dimensions
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Just because they’re both in the “subcompact” class, it doesn’t mean the interior space isn’t important. Let’s check out a side-by-side comparison of their inside measurements:
| 2026 Honda HR-V | 2026 Mazda CX-30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Headroom (front/rear) | 39.4 / 38.0 in | 38.1 / 38.3 in |
| Shoulder room (front/rear) | 56.6 / 55.2 in | 55.6 / 53.6 in |
| Hip room (front/rear) | 54.0 / 47.4 in | 54.6 / 53.2 in |
| Legroom (front/rear) | 41.9 / 37.7 in | 41.7 / 36.3 in |
| Passenger volume | 98.7 cu ft | 94.1 cu ft |
| Cargo volume (seats up) | 24.4 cu ft | 20.2 cu ft |
| Cargo volume (seats down) | 55.1 cu ft | N/A |
Interestingly, Mazda doesn’t publish the CX-30’s max cargo space on their website, but looking at the rest of the numbers, it’s clear to see that the HR-V has a lot more room to work with, making it the clear better choice for families, road trips, and more.
Honda HR-V vs. Mazda CX-30: Interior and Tech
Now, let’s take a look at the specific features you’ll find inside the cabins of these top-notch SUVs.
- All HR-V models now come standard with:
- 9-inch center touch screen display
- 7-inch driver information center
- Bluetooth
- Wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
- HondaLink® subscription services
- Multiple USB ports
- Wireless phone charging
- CX-30 features:
- 8.8-inch center screen (lower trims)
- 10.25-inch screen (higher trims)
- Bluetooth
- Wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
- Mazda Connected Services with available Wi-Fi
- Available wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
- Available wireless phone charging
- Available Alexa Built-in
In short, the CX-30 offers a few more available bells and whistles for big spenders, but the HR-V provides more value by offering more features in its standard package.
Honda HR-V vs. Mazda CX-30: Safety
Both vehicles come standard with an extensive list of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automatic high beams, driver attention alerts, and more. They also have some exclusive standard features: the HR-V has better frontal collision, while the CX-30 has superior blind spot detection in its base-level trim.
Both have also won some impressive safety accolades. While the 2026 model year hasn’t been assessed by the experts yet, the nearly identical 2025 versions both won a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, making the HR-V and CX-30 frontrunners for the title of safest small SUV. We’ll have to give this section a tie.
Find the Honda HR-V for Sale in Joplin, MO
By now, you’ve probably got the picture. Both SUVs are solid options for shoppers looking for something affordable and well-equipped, but the HR-V simply offers more bang for your buck.
At Roper Honda, we have a fantastic selection of new HR-V models for sale, plus weekly new car specials, Honda lease deals, and more, so you can save even more money when you buy a Honda SUV.
Contact us online or call us at 877-747-0738 to schedule a test drive today.