10 Honda HR-V Competitors

2018 Honda HR V blue ・ Photo by Honda

If you are one of the million-plus people shopping for a compact or subcompact SUV this year, there’s good news - you have plenty of options. The bad news, however, is that (as we all know), too many options make the buying decision rather difficult. That’s where we come in. Sure, you can spend a few days running to every automaker dealership to test drive its small SUV offering, but we have a better idea: let this list of 10 Honda HR-V Competitors guide your buyer journey.

Here we’ll lay out each subcompact crossover/SUV option and break down each model’s respective features. If you’re looking for the best performance, or fuel economy, or utility, you can refine your top picks and therefore spend less time testing unqualified vehicles. Oh, and though we don’t include it here, don’t forget to check out the Honda HR-V – it’s definitely worth considering too!

Mazda CX-3

Built in Japan, the Mazda CX-3 was first introduced in 2016 and hasn’t changed much since then. Fortunately, the recipe doesn’t really need to be altered. Slotting below the CX-5 in Mazda’s SUV lineup, the CX-3 is offered in front or all-wheel drive and comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic. Front-drive CX-3 models are rated at 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. AWD cuts these figures by two mpg. Regardless of trim (of which there are three), the CX-3 makes 146hp and 146 lb-ft of torque.

Though that doesn’t sound like much grunt, the CX-3’s nimble handling more than compensates for its meager output. If you value driving engagement, we’d highly recommend the CX-3. An eye-catching exterior design and premium interior complement the crossover’s handling prowess. If there’s one thing the CX-3 lacks, it’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Prices for the 2018 Mazda CX-3 start at $21,050, including destination fees.

Photo by Mazda

Jeep Renegade

Jeep has quickly found its way into every SUV segment, including the subcompact market. The Renegade invites consumers into the Jeep brand by offering a taste of the ruggedness of its siblings (the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee) at a much more affordable price. This is one of our favorite utility-oriented Honda HR-V competitors.

The entry-level Jeep Renegade Sport is powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 160 horsepower and is paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Standard features include a full suite of passive safety systems, 16" styled steel wheels, ABS and stability control, power windows, power locks, and a backup camera. Prices for the 2018 Renegade start at $18,845.

Photo by Jeep

Fiat 500X

Craving a little Italian flourish for your crossover? The Fiat 500X pumps the trendy 500 city car body with rugged touches, ride height, and greater versatility. Though it lacks the off-road prowess of its Renegade cousin, the 500X is more than ready for the adventurous souls.

The entry-level 500X “Pop” comes standard with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 160hp. Like the Renegade, the 500X’s only engine is paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Other standard features include a full suite of airbags, air conditioning, 16" steel wheels, cruise control, a backup camera, and a 7.0-inch infotainment system. Fiat’s 500X starts at $19,995, plus destination.

Photo by FIAT

Hyundai Kona

New on the scene for 2018, and targeting the Honda HR-V’s customer set, is Hyundai’s Kona crossover. This funky little SUV builds on Hyundai’s growing momentum in the mainstream automotive market. With a distinctive face, plenty of body cladding, and sleek LED taillights, the Kona is instantly recognizable even among the hoards of small SUVs on today’s roads.

Power comes from your choice of a 147-hp 2.0-liter inline-four with a six-speed automatic transmission or a 175-hp turbo 1.6-liter inline-four with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive is available. Standard convenience features include a 7.0-inch center display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Prices kick off at $20,480 (including destination fees).

Photo by Hyundai

Kia Soul

The other Korean contender (after the Hyundai Kona) is Kia’s plucky Soul. If a tall frame and faux-rugged design cues aren’t your thing, the Soul’s handsome hatchback styling may appeal. A favorite of the young (and young at heart), the Soul offers a long list of convenience features and a compelling starting price of $16,200 before taxes and fees.

Power comes from a choice of a naturally aspired 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 130hp, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder tuned to deliver 161 horsepower, or a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boasting 201 hp. Entry-level models can be had with a six-speed manual, but an automatic is standard on all other trims. Also available is an all-electric version with 90 miles of range.

Photo by Kia

Subaru Crosstrek

Giving the Jeep Renegade a run for its money, the Subaru Crosstrek woos adventure-hungry consumers with standard all-wheel drive and chiseled styling. Down on power (152hp) and up on price ($22,710 to start) compared to the Jeep, the Subaru leans on its proven reliability and iconic boxer four-cylinder engine.

All-new for the 2018 model year, the Crosstrek wears Subaru’s latest design language well, including standout features like sleek LED taillights and fresh 18-inch wheel designs. Inside, the Crosstrek is more spacious and feature-rich than its predecessor. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a backup camera, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen display are standard highlights. Buyers can choose from a six-speed manual or CVT transmission to go standard AWD, torque vectoring, and an X-mode off-road driving mode.

Photo by Subaru

Nissan Kicks

Taking over for the broadly praised Nissan Juke is the Kicks crossover. Swinging the pendulum away from the Juke’s outlandish styling, the Kicks is a mild-mannered subcompact SUV with styling borrowed from Nissan models like the Murano. To be transparent, we (or any other media for that matter) have yet to drive the Kicks, so we can only offer the objective facts about its powertrain and features.

Under the hood is a 1.6-liter inline-four engine making 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque. This paltry bit of power is channeled through a CVT transmission to the front wheels (AWD may come later, along with a beefier powertrain). Standard goodies include automatic emergency braking, automatic headlights, and Bluetooth connectivity. Prices have yet to be announced, but for segment-low power, we’d estimate an affordable figure.

Photo by Nissan

Chevrolet Trax

In a field dominated by foreign brands, where does America fit in? Both of the Honda HR-V’s domestic challengers are offspring of GM, but only one suits our fancy. The 2018 Chevrolet Trax champions ride comfort, capacity, and interior technology, but falls short on performance, compelling styling, and interior quality.

Power comes from a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 138 horsepower. The only available transmission is a six-speed automatic, which sends power to the front or all four wheels based on chosen configuration. Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and air conditioning. A Wi-Fi hotspot is also available. The Chevrolet Trax is priced beginning at $21,995, including all fees.

Photo by Chevrolet

Buick Encore

Despite sharing a platform and dimensions with the Chevy Trax, the Buick Encore is far more compelling and would be our pick for an entry-luxury compact crossover. Apart from an overly tall and narrow exterior design, the Encore impresses with excellent standard features, nimble handling, interior volume, and choice build materials.

The Encore is powered by the same 1.4-liter turbo motor found in the Trax, which means similarly unimpressive acceleration. However, improved output (153 horsepower/177 lb-ft of torque) is included with higher trims. Standard goodies include an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, active noise cancellation, OnStar with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED daytime running lights, and 18-inch wheels. For all this, Buick asks a reasonable $22,990 (plus fees and taxes).

Photo by Buick

Toyota C-HR

Last on our list (and in our books least,) of the Honda HR-V’s competitors is the Toyota C-HR. Whether the wild styling suits your fancy or not, the poor visibility, lack of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and woeful straight line performance is universally underwhelming. We aren’t ruling out the “Coupe-High Rider” completely though – it is, after all, an impactful design amidst a more conservative segment.

The 2018 C-HR is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 144 horsepower. While that’s not the lowest figure in this segment, the C-HR’s portly 3,300 pounds (nearly 350 lbs more than the Mazda CX-3) asks a lot of the engine. Based on Toyota’s TNGA platform, the C-HR handles quite well and offers a solid 29 combined mpg. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch center display, Bluetooth, a backup camera, and pre-collision automatic braking. Pricing starts at $22,500.

Photo by Toyota