Don't misread this posting. I think the HRV is cool, and I very well might buy one. But I'm cross-shopping, and I'd like to hear if anybody else has been, and how they compare the alternatives.
Please, please, only responses from people who have actually driven the competition!
I've test-driven the Soul and Renegade so far, and I've sat in the HRV at the NYC show. I'm really undecided right now. A lot will depend on that HRV test drive. But I'm optimistic.
Jeep Renegade: Kind of a NASCAR styling vibe that puts me off a bit. Same external size as the HRV. Very, very high seating position that I like. Pathetic gas mileage. Peppy. Serious reliability questions. List price is high, but it's already discounted $3,000 if you look around. Choice of engines. Manual available in all trims. Wife liked it a lot. The Trailhawk is the real thing offroad - none of the others even comes close.
Kia Soul+: Polarizing styling. Holds resale value pretty well. Peppy engine. Get a lot of content for your money. Can't get a manual with the higher trims. OK gas mileage. Widely discounted by $3,000 off MSRP. Helps that I own one and like it a lot. Widely praised in multiple reviews as a "class above" vehicle. I don't like the new interior - the vertical dash makes me feel cramped. New redesign coming in September, with 1.5 turbo, better performance and styling. No AWD at this time, if that's your thing. Extremely reliable. As an owner, I've never liked how the seat height adjusts.
Honda HRV: Invisible styling - blends in. Probably holds resale value very well. Can get manual in 2WD and EX trim with some colors. Very good gas mileage. I think a nice content level. Storage is just as good as Soul and Renegade, but not better. I expect to get a $1,000 discount from my buyers club.
Mazda CX3: Not on my list. Too small inside. But pretty.
I'm really undecided. Anybody else on here actually drive a Renegade or a Soul or anything else as part of cross-shopping? I'd like to hear from you if you have. I'm not really interested in the opinion of somebody who's just bad-mouthing another brand if they've never actually bothered to test drive it - that's just being a Honda fan-boy. Although it's fair if you say "I hate the styling and I'd never test drive it for that reason".
Please, please, only responses from people who have actually driven the competition!
I've test-driven the Soul and Renegade so far, and I've sat in the HRV at the NYC show. I'm really undecided right now. A lot will depend on that HRV test drive. But I'm optimistic.
Jeep Renegade: Kind of a NASCAR styling vibe that puts me off a bit. Same external size as the HRV. Very, very high seating position that I like. Pathetic gas mileage. Peppy. Serious reliability questions. List price is high, but it's already discounted $3,000 if you look around. Choice of engines. Manual available in all trims. Wife liked it a lot. The Trailhawk is the real thing offroad - none of the others even comes close.
Kia Soul+: Polarizing styling. Holds resale value pretty well. Peppy engine. Get a lot of content for your money. Can't get a manual with the higher trims. OK gas mileage. Widely discounted by $3,000 off MSRP. Helps that I own one and like it a lot. Widely praised in multiple reviews as a "class above" vehicle. I don't like the new interior - the vertical dash makes me feel cramped. New redesign coming in September, with 1.5 turbo, better performance and styling. No AWD at this time, if that's your thing. Extremely reliable. As an owner, I've never liked how the seat height adjusts.
Honda HRV: Invisible styling - blends in. Probably holds resale value very well. Can get manual in 2WD and EX trim with some colors. Very good gas mileage. I think a nice content level. Storage is just as good as Soul and Renegade, but not better. I expect to get a $1,000 discount from my buyers club.
Mazda CX3: Not on my list. Too small inside. But pretty.
I'm really undecided. Anybody else on here actually drive a Renegade or a Soul or anything else as part of cross-shopping? I'd like to hear from you if you have. I'm not really interested in the opinion of somebody who's just bad-mouthing another brand if they've never actually bothered to test drive it - that's just being a Honda fan-boy. Although it's fair if you say "I hate the styling and I'd never test drive it for that reason".