Mazda CX-30 vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

If rear seat room and an accommodating cargo area are high on your wish list, skip the Mazda CX-30. If those things don’t matter as much as good looks, an upscale interior, rewarding driving dynamics, promising reliability, and top-notch safety ratings, then this Mazda delivers. This year, new Aire Edition trim levels, drivetrain and suspension enhancements, and a larger infotainment screen make the CX-30 even more appealing.

Verdict: We like the 2026 Mazda CX-30, but it’s not the right choice for everybody. The back seat and cargo area are cramped, and the infotainment controls are fussy. Otherwise, the CX-30 looks and feels like entry-luxury instead of entry-level.

Competition amongst small crossover SUVs is fierce. The 2026 Honda CR-V faces off against the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, and roughly a dozen other strong-selling compact SUVs from nearly every automaker. And, on balance, the Honda CR-V has handled the competition well. With over 400,000 units sold in 2024–more than half of which were CR-V Hybrids–Honda has plenty to feel good about with the CR-V. But while the CR-V has been thriving, Honda has been finding success with another name, too: TrailSport. This year, the two success stories finally met.

Verdict: The CR-V is one of the best compact crossovers on the market, and the hybrid powertrain only makes it better. If adventure and off-road driving are truly in the cards for you, however, the CR-V TrailSport may not be the right choice.