2023 Hyundai Kona v Mazda CX-30 Comparison | All-new Korean small SUV takes on one of Japan’s finest 

Hi Fans, we made a mistake with our graphics at 01:33. The cars on test were the Kona Premium N Line 1.6 AWD and Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina FWD.

I love the Mazda CX-30. I was skeptical...but I bought one a few months ago. It is my favorite purchase of all-time. It just oozes with a very premium experience and is absolutely fun to drive. The problem with the Kona is that it's a Hyundai. After three experiences with Hyundai-Kia -- all bad -- I've left and never looked back.

The previous Kona was good...but I REALLY like this new version. The light bars at the front and back are really clean. It's edgy, but not over the top. Big fan of the tech as well. The smallish windows for that claustrophobic feeling in the Mazda was a dealbreaker from the get go. This was really well presented and fair. Excellent presentation skills - clear and concise. Keep up the awesome work!

I kept 10 grand and bought the CX-30 Pure at $35,000 drive away. Loaded with all the safety gear. Perfect upgrade from my 2017 Mazda 3. My kid now drives so the back seat will rarely get used so not an issue.

Pretty much for me it’s the decision between the driving experience and luxury, or the features/functionality and practicality. For my lifestyle, i am going with the Kona. I agree the interior is more luxurious in the Mazda, but for the price point the Kona offers way more features, tech and most importantly space. It also just feels more fun and sporty, whereas the Mazda is more traditional and refined - Both are great cars but for me the choice is all about the lifestyle you have.

New CX-30 owner here ( bias alert LOL!) The build quality, solid drivetrain, and drive quality of the CX totally sold me the minute my bum was on the seat ... Drives like a go-kart and yet is still on rails 99% of the time . "Mwoar! Tech" is marvelous, but simplicity and practicality play a part in the day to day use of something, touchscreens etc belong on mobile devices , and there is a reason most states make it illegal to be holding and using your mobile devices when driving ... If you look at the presenter when he is scrolling thru the Hyundai menu , he has to lean forward to do it , and his eyes are below windscreen level, which automatically means his attention is NOT in front of him , but INSIDE the car . In the Mazda the Side info screen is brought UP to the normal road observing line of sight. Your focus changes , but you still are aware of changes in front of you . The command dial and associated switchgear are intuitive after a few drives and I for one don't miss a touchscreen in any way shape or form . Resale value is high on a CX , I dont think the same will be true of the Kona . Mazda treat you like family ( I have found so far anyway) All that said I think the reviewer did get the appeal aspect of the cars right in the summary ... The CX might be a little more "dependable" but over the years that will wear better on you thank the ageing geeky tech guy they compared the Kona to ;) In 10 years the Mazda will still be elegant and refined if cared for ... and the Kona will become a paunchy sallow dude in a Star Wars T-shirt trying to convince you that Pacman was the greatest game ever :)

The Mazda has Adaptive LED Headlights, aka matrix LED high beams. It's a pretty advanced technology that goes unmentioned in most reviews. It makes night time road trips much more enjoyable.

I drive an European CX-30 and can say I love the elegance, the refinement, the quality of this car. It is simply enjoyable. Almost everything you touch on the inside is soft and nice, unlike most other cars out there. And you migh have skipped the dual bottomed trunk, for some reason there is a space below the aparent bottom and just under that you have the safety kit etc. I simply removed the upper bottom to get more space. The HUD is also wonderful, nowadays I rarely use the "normal" screen for speed etc. There is also something I don't understand: blocking (locking) back windows also blocks the front right one and even I have to unlock them in order to close/open the other 3 windows (maybe some Japanese thing, I don't know). Another thing i just like is the size and confort offered by the door handle and the arm rest, they are at the same height, the size is very good so I reach the steering wheel while holding my arms on them; this is soo good. Most cars have a small, "childish" arm rest, unpractical.

how well do slim led lights work compared to much larger round head lights? also thin indicators are dangerous during the day in full sunlight, impossible to see.

Just had delivered my Kona N Line S Luxury - Hybrid delivered here in the UK and so far I love it. Yes it bings and bongs at you every few seconds warning you of eveything around you but I have found it smooth, quiet and a joy to drive!

gr8 comparison, looking forward to the Kona EV review :)

I just checked out a 2024 Kona here in southern nevada. A deal breaker for me, was that on full brightness, the panels were hard to read in bright light. Here in the desert, we get lots of bright light that will wash out the panels during the day.

I'm evidently not in your target audience, but I would have much preferred a review of the base models of each car. In any case, I think you should compare similar engines (e.g., 2.0L NA) and similar drive trains (e.g., FWD) in every such comparative review!

Fab review…. Magnificent work!

Excellent review!

This is a very good review well done. However I will call this out time & time again. Please do not call 10,000kms service intervals sub standard. As a mechanic down in Melbourne I can guarantee you if you service these cars as intended at the 10k intervals they will out last any opposition for Germany etc that prefer longer distances. It is a fact. Services are cheap replacing an engine because you couldn’t be bothered to do the basics of owning a car which is service the dam thing is very expensive. I get so frustrated at manufacturers pushing out service intervals. It just leads to more & more catastrophic problems later on when the cars are 3-5 years old with many Ks on them because they are not getting serviced enough.

Kona is just too busy for me. The CX30 more refined, more upscale looking and that is why I purchased it over any other vehicle. I have the turbo model, which is great on the highway but I’m not speedster.

90 extra litres boot space in the Kona is a lot bigger. But as you say, the Kona wins again. Old tech screen in the Mazda look dated for 50K, and not even touch screen. Only thing that is nice in the Mazda is the HUD. Only Kona new electric has it. But Kona wins again otherwise.

just bought a 2020 cx30 gt tech, absolutely love it. amazing car

Watching car reviews makes me wonder what the hell people are doing intheir vehicles. All the tech stuff is lost on me. Im driving and maybe listening to music. Engaging and fun to drive, cx30 turbo all the way

I have same dilemma. Mazda is great, all positives are there, however... Rear and trunk space is an issue for me. Other than that it is a bit strange that mazda is actually bit more expensive in higher trims. Kona is better if you want 'everything'.

I have a CX-30 on order. That HUD is worth all that big screen stuff & more. You just never look at the dash. The instant you hop in it’s all class. I notice many lines on the Kona don’t line up especially the tail gate & the dash layout doesn’t flow & how often do you adjust the passengers seat? Once? It was hard to tell but it looks like Hyundai / Kia still don’t back light the air conditioner controls so if you are unfamiliar with them you need to turn on the interior light to see them at night!! I recently had a Kia Sportage 2022 Model for a couple of months & this should be pointed out by any car review as unacceptable. Each to his own but the Mazda is a classy small SUV rather than an attention seeking school project gone wrong

which one is Quiter when cruising? Kona or cX30?

Even though you have selected the Mazda CX30 with the 2.5L engine the comparison probably should have been with the Hyundai 2.0L, in my opinion. Otherwise quite a good comparison.

Love CX-30. So elegant.

How tall are you? Just want to size my kids for the rear seats of the Mazda CX-30.

There is an update coming to the cx30 in the next few months which brings updated technology including a bigger screen.

The interior does seem more hi-tech, but it also looks very cheap and plastic compared to the Mazda.

I'll take the Mazda any day ... AND the long term reliability will be better.

Why won’t reviewers call out Mazda for not having a touch screen. It’s important if you use Apple CarPlay.

Kona ❤

waiting for kona to be released here in AUS.. not until NOV :(

They’re incomparable in design. Masda looks like produced 20years ago

Great comparison I literally had these two on my list. I was right though, sticking to the Mazda. Edit: So after a month of research and test drives- I went with the Mazda CX30. Top spec came in 2.5k cheaper than the Kona. The Mazda felt much more refined and better built. I liked the Kona but just never wowed me. And at 52k for top spec with a sunroof it’s way too much for city small Hyundai. The only thing the Kona had over the CX30 was remote start and phone app access, and AWD which is ridiculous for a city car.

Does Mazda offer a turbo in Australia? I feel you should have done a turbo to turbo comparison.

Mazda rules❤

CX-30 owner who swaps cars through the week & the annoying bits stand out more. That damn magnifying driver’s side door mirror, short windows / high door line makes it feel a little claustrophobic, ride is a little too firm, though everyone says interior is premium it is a little bland, ride is a little overfirm, when beeps & warnings happen the info doesn’t stay on displays long enough to see what you did. Upsides, it’s a comfortable & pleasant place to sit, the motor transmission combination works quite well & rarely gets caught out, great graphics & detail in HUD, feels well planted on fun bends.

C type connection, I don't know but the end that plugs into your phone maybe C type, but all phone have USB at the end where you plug into power source. So, C type at the power source doesn't make sense..

Rica etsem altyazı seçeneklerine Türkçe dil seçeneği ekleyebilir misiniz ? Sizi anlamak ve takip etmek istiyorum !

Well you compare luxury trim mazda with sport trim kona would have been better comparing the kona ultimate trim with its leather seats etc

Maxda interior is so outdated took the Kona N line for a test drive last week and drives very nicely and the interior is outstanding. Currently driving 2022 top of the range xv Subaru and would prefer the 2023 Kona

Great review , glad you pointed out the HUD in the Mazda and its features. I like the look of the Kona but that air scoop/deflector in the rear is almost hideous. Good creature comforts and yes a little roomier in the Kona for rear seat passengers. Also I am glad they dropped the DCT in the Kona. Those fuel comparisons though clearly show the Mazda is the winner and judging by comfort, drive you looked more happier in the Mazda, plus struggled less not having to look over screens and being distracted. Higher rev noise levels in the Kona means that engine is struggling. Your turns in the Kona looked very uncomfortable as your face said it all 😂.I have not drove the new Kona but believe the steering wheel will cover alot of the screens and really make alot of it difficult to see. Interior finish, quality, design hands down goes to Mazda. Costing is very high on the Kona top of the range also , almost to the point a Mazda CX-5 Akera Turbo is almost the same price.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Kona 1.6t N Line drive away. $53,337 ( just got quoted by a dealer online) Mazda CX-5 2.5t Akera drive away $55,950 These cars are not even in the same class.

2:42 the tail bar is misaligned at the sides 😬

Not once did we hear the Kona’s bells, and safety chimes or Mazda’s. Were they turned off? No mention in the video as to how annoying some of these chimes can be. You had your eyes off the road speaking to the camera plenty of times. Where were the chimes or even a mention of the safety chimes in either car? Bells and chimes can degrade the driving experience, particularly in urban driving.

“Headroom in the back is fine”......Dude your head was touching the roof, and you had NO Legroom !!

the CX30 was on 18" wheels, the Kona on 19" and overall the Mazda is smaller. so fuel economy should be better on the mazda

Idk what theyre doing to u in Australia but a Kona N Line is 31 and 32k a CX30 (all awd in US) turbo w 250hp and 320! Lbft is 33k to 36k. Mazda is much quicker.

The Kona looks totally rugged in- and outside of its design - and the interior quality and design is lightyears away from the CX-30!!! Looks like a Suzuki Swift or something in this class of cars! Todays recipe of nearly all manufaturers - BIG SCREENS instead of an easy to read gauges....everything just has to be different than before, no matter if it makes sense or not !!!

CX-30 !

You did not use a turbo Mazda , but Kona gets a turbo ....what joke , not fair match-up .Kona bias here, the CX-30 with 256 hp /320 torque gives a better drive experience by far , the drive is what matters to me , not the tech or dead space I drive around all the time , it's the drive and handling , pure power ...not a bigger screen or sun roof ....Kona is nice , but KIA has a dreadful recall record for 4or5 years ...no thanks .

Here in the USA, all Mazda's have AWD

The prior generation Kona was forgettable to say the least, but this new generation Kona N-Line eats the CX-30 for breakfast. I have been in Mazda’s, and I actually don’t think they have class leading interiors. Especially not anymore now that everyone else stepped up their game. And lets be honest, the CX-30 backseat is only suitable for small children.

Kona is like sitting in a 5 yo boy's rc car.. CX-30 all the way!

While Mazda's design might be boring compared to the Hyundai's, I think it will last much longer & can easily achieve an evergreen design status.

For me mazda all the way with look premium and reliable

10 k service there is somthing as the same cars have 19 k in europe and uk

The kona for me

Had a look at the new Kona last week. Looked and felt cheap. Checked out a CX 30 and ordered one it was leagues ahead of the Kona in all departments.

Mazda design looks from 1990's Kona all modern and sleek from the future. Kona is a winner even for more money.

Cx30 has a premium quality interior, sleek design exterior, less petrol thirsty and many many more extras and 4000$ cheaper vs Kona and guess what, Kona is a winner. I feel someone had been paid before the last vote ;-)

CX30 is pure luxury without the luxury price. MAZDA low-key luxury . Kia is cheap and feels cheap too.

Kona!!

australia doesn't get the CX-30 Turbo, and maybe not even the Kona N. CX-30 gets its soul from the Turbo AWD, not this non-sense you're runnin' here.

I was out when he said non turbo Mazda.

Got rid of the Kona EV that became very unreliable (random intermittent changes of speed when using the adaptive cruise on empty roads as well as on motorways) and had problems (paintwork) that Hyundai failed to address as the warranty ran down. Changed to a CX-30 and would never consider going back. Much better build quality and a great drive. The Japanese know how to build cars and properly support them , I would never touch a Hyundai/Kia/Genesis again.

The Mazda is a new car, but has the features of a 5 year old car, but charging todays prices e.g. the centre screen is not even a touch screen, has old auto and very old engine

Mazda fan, look what happened to Sony by Samsung .

Its hilarious how everyone that sides with the CX30 in the comments are the ones that have one on order or already bought one. Biased much? The design is incomparable, and if you think otherwise, you're just a fool. The CX30 looks like it was designed in 2010. In fact, my old 2010 Mazda 3 looked far better at that time. Besides the HUD, the kona is miles ahead considering design, technology, features, space, and even price. The extra $1200 is peanuts for all the extra features that the Kona offers. Sorry mazda fanboys, this ones a blowout

This comparison is like comparing Miley Cyrus with Taylor Swift. Miley might be the better singer but Taylor is all class 😅

Japan sleek all the way.

When I look at these $35k+ cars I can;'t help but think the value will diminish so quickly over the next few years as we get more hybrid and EV options.

Hyundai all the way! Korean cars already took over Japanese cars. Also when you say Hyundai means safety, design, warranty and technology.

Kona for kids, Mazda for the adults.

Not even mention that Mazda reliability shits on any korean brand!

Mazda by a country mile.

Lol if the Sonata, Excel, Elantra, Terracan, Lantra were the most ugliest cars back in the 90s and 2000s and still look ugly, Mazda and the other Japanese cars have always been loved not hated, i love Japanese cars. The old Tiburon look as hell 🤣🤣🤣

Mazda looks like 2007 car even compared to previous Kona

Mazda👍🏻

The Mazda fob is cheaper looking, the Hyundai is awd and fast while the engine on the Mazda is noisy as crap

bad review, cx 30 ftw any day of the week

Masda’s interior elegant???? 😂😂😂😂😂 really??? 🙈

Mazda all day

Team Japan, the Mazda outshines the Hyundai

It’s really embarrassing how you try so hard to compare these two. Come on buddy … Mazda is completely outdated and styled.

CX-30 back seat might as well not exist, immediately crossed it off my list as soon as I saw it. And that's not even getting into the super uncomfortable seats, poor visibility, and dumb infotainment setup. Mazdas drive great but they're overrated.

Mazda is the best!

I'd go with Japan

The Kona might be "better" when it is new, but in 3-5 years the Hyandai/KIA vehicles show their lack of reliability. Go with a Mazda you will be grateful you did in the long run. (I have owned both Mazda & KIA vehicles)

Mazda is a car for a grown man. Hyundai is for kids, who get excited with tinsels and trinkets. I’ve got my CX-30 for nearly 2 years now and find it the best car I ever had or drove. That is pure pleasure.

can't believe they're still selling cars where only tiny kids can fit into the back, just sort it out ffs

Can not compare. Not apple to apple

Test drove the CX-30 and wasn't impressed at all.

I don’t trust Hyundai, Japan all day for me.

the face of that Kona looks ugly to me.

The Kona engine will fail!

Mazda

Hyundai is starting to look ugly. Hate the new front lighting. The Mazda has always had an ugly front end.

how is this even something people compare? Mazda is luxurious and kona looks like some plasticky thing designed by committee.

Compare with Kona, Mazda looks like a used car..

The Kona is ugly and won't age well.