2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 presented a subtle yet impactful exterior update, featuring new LED headlights and taillights that offered more distinctive illumination. This change aimed to address the common issue of owners inadvertently driving without their regular lights on. The CX-5 also sported new bumpers, a revised grille, a redesigned rear liftgate, and fresh alloy wheel designs. The top-tier Signature trim received body-colour lower exterior trim, emphasizing Mazda's ambition to position itself as a premium brand. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel, especially in the Signature trim, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided enhanced comfort, and the driving position was sportier, offering a more natural relationship to the steering wheel and controls.

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The HR-V's interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille that concealed the vents and touch-sensitive reading and map lights. The centre console's sculptural shape added to the thoughtful design, and the quality of materials in the EX-L trim belied the HR-V's entry-level status. Despite the fastback design, visibility remained excellent, with larger rear seat windows and rear windshield compared to the previous model.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a base Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a revised 6-speed automatic transmission for improved responsiveness. All CX-5 models came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), and the fuel consumption for this powertrain was rated at 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged engine option provided 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. The turbocharged engine also featured the revised transmission and standard AWD, with a fuel consumption rating of 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter and smoother ride with reduced body roll and improved handling.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This marked an improvement over the previous model, with an increase of 17 horsepower and 11 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic the sound of a traditional automatic transmission during acceleration. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available by pulling the shifter back a notch. The new front and fully independent rear suspensions, along with widened tracks, contributed to a surprisingly fun driving experience on mountain roads. However, the HR-V was not overpowered, and the absence of multiple powertrain options was notable compared to competitors like the Kia Seltos and Ford Bronco Sport.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and handling with new furnishings that provided a more comfortable and supportive driving experience. The driving position was sportier, and all models except the base trim included a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The interior featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout was a source of frustration, as the Mazda Connect infotainment system lacked a touchscreen display and natural voice recognition. Cargo space was adequate, with 871 litres of luggage volume behind the rear seats and a maximum capacity of 1,680 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, while a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a centre console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls, parking brake, and hill-descent control. The HR-V sacrificed a centimetre of rear-seat headroom for its fastback look, with headroom measuring 1,002 millimetres in the front and 965.3 millimetres in the rear. Cargo space was 691 litres with the rear seats up and 1,559 litres with them folded, slightly smaller than the previous model. The HR-V's cargo capacity was among the largest in its class, and the new hinge design for the 60/40 split rear seats allowed for a higher seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. The interior offered 2,794 litres of passenger volume in LX and Sport trims and 2,775 litres for EX-L, with improved front legroom.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display and Bluetooth connectivity. However, the display was not touch-sensitive, and the system lacked natural voice recognition. Instead, users had to rely on centre console and steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with text-messaging support and Mazda Connected Services. The GT trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, which provided satisfactory audio quality. SiriusXM satellite radio was also available.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen for its infotainment system, with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, with wired versions on LX and Sport trims and wireless versions on EX-L. The EX-L trim also included a 9-inch infotainment display, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. All HR-Vs came with a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch colour touchscreen display. Additional features included three USB-A ports, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, remote start, and Wi-Fi capability.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 was equipped with a comprehensive i-Activsense package of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard, with front and rear parking sensors on the EX-L trim. The HR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.