Compare the2027 Honda CR-V VS 2026 Mazda CX-30

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-30’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The CR-V has a standard Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CR-V’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the CR-V and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

	CR-V	CX-30
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	17.1%	26.7%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	216 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

	CR-V	CX-30
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	115 lbs.	230 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	71	121
Hip Force	613 lbs.	623 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CR-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 14th.

The CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (190 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the CR-V Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

	CR-V	CX-30
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16.3 sec

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the CX-30:

			MPG
CR-V
	FWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/36 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/34 hwy
		TrailSport 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/31 hwy
CX-30
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the CR-V Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CR-V’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available Hybrid). The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda CR-V uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CR-V has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (14 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda CR-V higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (4 to 6). This means the CR-V produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

The CR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the CR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

	CR-V 1.5T	CR-V Hybrid	CX-30
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	12.6 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	12.2 inches	10.4 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			11.9 inches

The CR-V stops much shorter than the CX-30:

	CR-V	CX-30
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the CX-30 (235/60R18 vs. 215/65R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V LX has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

For superior ride and handling, the Honda CR-V has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CR-V flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CR-V’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the CX-30 (106.3 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-30.

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-30 pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-30 2.5 S Premium (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-30 (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the CR-V uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid is quieter than the CX-30:

	CR-V	CX-30
Full-Throttle	72 dB	84 dB

The CR-V has 11.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (106 vs. 94.1).

The CR-V has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 4.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (39.3 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (76.5 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The CX-30 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The CR-V has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

The CR-V uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-30 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 10th.

The CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring Hybrid’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CR-V’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The CX-30’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda CR-V’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda CR-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-30.

The CR-V is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Honda CR-V retains 61.29% to 65.48% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 60.49% resale value of the 2026 Mazda CX-30 after five years, which can save the Honda’s owner.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Mazda CX-30 by over seven to one during 2025.