[Glenlivet]

My wife hates car shopping so I do the grunt work and show her just two or three finalists. The HRV EX was one. The other two are the Mazda CX30 and the RAV4 Hybrid. Totally different vehicles but each meets some but not all of our needs. Today at the Honda dealer I was favorably impressed by the HRV and mentioned that I wish I could drive it home to show my wife. Home is an hour away. The sales manager tossed me the key fob and said “Bring it back Monday morning.”

so I’ve been given the chance to take it for a really thorough test drive. I like everything about it...except the seats. It feels like I’m sitting on a wooden plank!

 

[Fearturtle44]

Yep, seats have been an issue for some on this Forum. For me three years in, no problems. Good luck on whatever vehicle you choose.

 

[Dammit]

I have the HRV and my bride has a RAV4, both 2016s. The RAV is bigger, quieter, and more expensive. There are things about it that I really don't like (powered rear hatch for example), but it is a great vehicle. Mazdas are pretty good as well. The two things I'd change about my HRV - make it quieter and give it a few more horses under the hood. But, overall I love it. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices.

 

[dctokyo2002]

My wife hates car shopping so I do the grunt work and show her just two or three finalists. The HRV EX was one. The other two are the Mazda CX30 and the RAV4 Hybrid. Totally different vehicles but each meets some but not all of our needs. Today at the Honda dealer I was favorably impressed by the HRV and mentioned that I wish I could drive it home to show my wife. Home is an hour away. The sales manager tossed me the key fob and said “Bring it back Monday morning.”

so I’ve been given the chance to take it for a really thorough test drive. I like everything about it...except the seats. It feels like I’m sitting on a wooden plank!

I would go with the Mazda CX30 over the HR-V, I was able test test drive and it wins hands down.The engine ( 46 more horsepower ) and transmission are tops for the class and the seats are the best. That is why I am moving over to the CX-30 at the end of my lease this month. Plus it has a lot more SAFETY AND SECURITY features.

 

[Fearturtle44]

Mazda makes some good cars. The CX-3 was one of my choices until the local Dealership closed. I’m surprised that Mazda came out with the CX-30 as it fits in between the CX-3 and CX-5 (Already small SUVs). But the market loves SUVs over sedans these days. Wonder if Mazda will drop the CX-3 and the CX-30 will become their SUV starting point. The extra HP is nice and you are not losing much MPG.

Good luck with your car when you get it.

 

[dctokyo2002]

Mazda makes some good cars. The CX-3 was one of my choices until the local Dealership closed. I’m surprised that Mazda came out with the CX-30 as it fits in between the CX-3 and CX-5 (Already small SUVs). But the market loves SUVs over sedans these days. Wonder if Mazda will drop the CX-3 and the CX-30 will become their SUV starting point. The extra HP is nice and you are not losing much MPG.

Good luck with your car when you get it.

To be honest I have really enjoyed my HR-V, great car but I am looking for more safety and security features like the CR-V has but wish to stay with a small SUV/CUV. The CX-30 fits what I am looking for in size and safety and security features.

 

[72tx340]

my front driver seat squeeks aweful!

 

[Phalkon30]

Mazda makes some good cars. The CX-3 was one of my choices until the local Dealership closed. I’m surprised that Mazda came out with the CX-30 as it fits in between the CX-3 and CX-5 (Already small SUVs). But the market loves SUVs over sedans these days. Wonder if Mazda will drop the CX-3 and the CX-30 will become their SUV starting point. The extra HP is nice and you are not losing much MPG.

Good luck with your car when you get it.

I love the look of the CX-30, but it's got less cargo room for lower MPG. I know the HRV isn't perfect but I really think they pulled off a tough combination to beat in some ways

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[TwoWheelsDown]

I love the look of the CX-30, but it's got less cargo room for lower MPG. I know the HRV isn't perfect but I really think they pulled off a tough combination to beat in some ways

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I agree wholeheartedly. My 75k mile experience with my HR-V...the passenger seat creaks, the carpet is okay, the seats are not super comfortable and lack adjustability, there's a rattle in the map lights that I never figured out, the ride is pretty bouncy (more bouncy than my Mazda3 with 200k miles), I dented the hood while casually leaning on it, the power windows are pretty slow...that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

But on the flipside, the utility (magic seats, cargo space) is great, the maintenance and operating costs are minimal (c'mon, only 4 quarts of oil, 4 quarts of coolant, 2 quarts of MTF), the factory short-throw shifter is great, and it's only had one warranty repair for something that was broken before I took delivery with 9 miles on it. It's also made to fit a certain price bracket. It's not going to be the quietest, or the most comfortable, or the most powerful, or have the best materials, or the best features.

Instead, at least speaking for my early-build LX 6-speed manual, the car is a reliable transportation appliance that will get you there and back, not break the bank, and not spend more time in the shop than on the road.

To put it into perspective, in an more apples-to-apples comparison, if my HR-V got crushed by a tree tonight and I had to replace it, I'd be taking a good, strong look at the Kia Soul and a lesser look at the Hyundai Venue. Only reason I wouldn't get another HR-V is because they canned the manual option.

 

[Daniel San Pedro]

Horrible smell after it rains, misaligned body panels, underpowered engine, AC struggles in South Florida heat, jerky clutch specially when engine/tranny cold (manual transmission), even worse performance when very humid, rev hang, seems like it has a lot of space for sunglasses/phone/etc, but really does not, boring tail lights/headlights for anything older than 2019 models (the headlights improved), very bouncy ride, high road and wind noise, leaves ALWAYS get stuck in those huge gaps in the hood and windshield.
Good things: cargo space, price point, reliable power train, doesn’t take much money for gas and repairs.
I regret my purchase (2017 EX). Can’t wait to trade it in, but still have some time before I’m able to do so. Patience is key.

 

[Fearturtle44]

A thorough test drive would have told you to move on to another vehicle.

 

[Daniel San Pedro]

A thorough test drive would have told you to move on to another vehicle.

I totally agree. I screwed up, and I'm the only one to blame. I know better now for the next vehicle.

 

[kevinkelm]

Only had mine a couple months. This is what I dislike coming from a BMW.
No power fold mirrors. stereo and speakers suck. Backup camera sucks. Can’t clean water off of windows by rolling them down.
All of these can be upgraded so I’m working on that now and overall I think it’s a great little car.

 

[ggregory]

What do you dislike about the HRV?

the left front seat bottom on the 2018 HR-V LX is uncomfortable

 

[TwoWheelsDown]

Only had mine a couple months. This is what I dislike coming from a BMW.
No power fold mirrors. stereo and speakers suck. Backup camera sucks. Can’t clean water off of windows by rolling them down.
All of these can be upgraded so I’m working on that now and overall I think it’s a great little car.

All about perspective. I am happy to have a stereo that plays music out of all four speakers consistently and that has a backup camera period. I had a truck that had 4 speakers and usually only one or two would work on a given trip.

the left front seat bottom on the 2018 HR-V LX is uncomfortable

I agree; for me it's like sitting on a church pew. But I can make it 2-3 hours. After that it's time for a rest stop/stretch break anyway.