2022 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo

Subcompact crossovers have shortly develop into the attainable and sensible possibility for consumers on a funds, nevertheless these autos have by no means actually been recognized for his or her construct high quality, know-how, and efficiency. In 2021 due to options starting to trickle right down to extra reasonably priced markets that have been as soon as unique and restricted to luxurious manufacturers is slowly reshaping this phase 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 customers of all ages, however if you’re out there for both of these autos at round $30k, which goes to be the higher possibility? Effectively let’s take a deep dive and examine each fashions to see whether or not the Hyundai Kona or Mazda CX-30 must be the subsequent crossover in your driveway.

Seems

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

Mazda CX-30

First having a look 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 strains 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 number of 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 strains 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 strategy than rivals, as Hyundai affords extra vibrant colours to focus on a youthful shopper demographic in comparison with Mazda who’s a bit extra conservative with shade 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 total 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 fairly than a crossover, and to a sure diploma that’s going to have a unfavourable impact on inside dimensions. If the off-road look will not be 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 right now.

Inside

Stepping inside, this might very effectively 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 job wherein automobile you find yourself buying.

Mazda CX-30

As soon as once more beginning off with the Mazda CX-30, you’re greeted by one of the vital plush interiors you’re going to search out, not solely within the subcompact crossover market but additionally compacts as effectively. It must 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 tender contact padding discovered all through, not just for the door panels and heart arm relaxation, but additionally the dashboard as effectively, and collectively it actually elevates the driving expertise as you’re feeling as if you’re in an entry degree luxurious crossover. In entrance of you there will likely be a digital show within the heart of the analogue gauges which blends in fairly effectively, 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 once supplied on the Final however that trim was lower from the lineup.

Transferring over to the infotainment system, this consumer interface will not be a touchscreen and as a substitute 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 can 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 effectively with this setup. Exterior of that, this infotainment system is definitely very consumer pleasant and fast to reply, however if you’d like a touchscreen you’ll have to look elsewhere. In the event you go for the Premium Plus, you’ll have extra digital camera angles, with a prime view and aspect views to associate with your rear backup digital camera to assist park this crossover.

For the remainder of the inside format, it’s a clear and simplistic design, with the buttons and dials to your twin zone local weather management and entrance and rear defrosters discovered beneath the infotainment system. There will likely be piano black trim for the middle console, which is able to develop into a trouble to scrub over time, however general the the CX-30’s inside is likely one of the greatest we’ve come throughout in the case of consolation.

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona alternatively isn’t essentially going to wow you in the case of consolation and tender 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 perfect 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 will likely be a full digital gauge cluster that we see within the new Tucson and Santa Fe, and in the case of performance and determination, that is what you’d anticipate in luxurious autos as you’ll have the flexibility to scroll by quite a lot of data. As talked about earlier there is no such thing as a head up show supplied 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’ll have onboard navigation. Mounted simply beneath this display are fast entry buttons, however due to the responsive and refinement of this consumer interface, you’re going to search out that this head unit is likely one of the most consumer pleasant and in-depth on this phase. Regardless of the Kona’s inside not being essentially the most refined or visually interesting, the know-how out there outclasses rivals to create the notion that this crossover is an entry degree luxurious automobile with a tech bundle that would rival Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti. Under you’ll discover the buttons to your entrance and rear defrosters, however apparently sufficient you gained’t have twin zone local weather management. Outfitted on our mannequin and in addition supplied on the CX-30 was a wi-fi telephone charging pad to as soon as once more present modern-day facilities.

Compared side-by-side, there’s going to be trade-offs. You both go along with consolation or know-how, and this may merely come right down to your individual private preferences.

Practicality

The Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona discover themselves in the identical state of affairs in the case of inside room and general practicality, as autos of this dimension are solely going to be conducive for a household of 4 fairly than being able to squeeze a 3rd individual 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 house, dimensions are nearly an identical, 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 prime precedence, it could be price some larger rivals, nevertheless needless to say you’re going to sacrifice many options, together with the upscale and plush interiors each crossover have.

Efficiency

The place some customers 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 take pleasure in driving, the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona use conventional automatics and now have elective turbocharged 4 cylinder engines to make them one among a handful of crossovers on this phase that deliver 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 largest disadvantage is with the 6 velocity computerized. It pairs effectively 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 computerized or a sooner shifting transmission. Most drivers will discover the CX-30 turbo to be greater than satisfactory, 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 will likely be paired with a 7 velocity twin clutch computerized. There’s no query that for those who’re severely a Kona, you will 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 will not be going to be pleasant, 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 on the spot, 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 in the course of the evaluation, 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 enhance 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 how 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 truthful as potential.

Beginning off with the CX-30, the Turbo Premium is available in with a beginning value of $32,450 with AWD coming customary. the Hyundai Kona Restricted will begin at $28,250 with AWD being a $1400 possibility, 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 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 almost certainly it can fall proper in keeping with the CX-30 Premium Plus which goes to value proper round $35k.

General

In conclusion, whenever you issue within the know-how that’s made out there to you at round $30k, the Hyundai Kona turns into a really attractive possibility. On the flip aspect, the Mazda CX-30 goes to have a greater inside and a faster acceleration time, so each autos have their professionals and cons, and it simply comes right 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 effectively 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 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 value level nobody else is on this phase, which is why the 2022 Kona is one among our early candidates for the perfect 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 greatest, and perhaps you’ll discover out that the Mazda CX-30 is a greater general crossover for you.

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