Certain Hyundai and Kia models saw a 10-fold increase in thefts in just the past three years, a wildly dramatic increase in the wake of a series of social media posts showing people how to steal the vehicles.
What would you recommend? I’m looking into the subcompact suv category. I’ve been choosing between the Crosstrek, HRV, Corolla Cross, and CX30. Based on research and watching/reading reviews, the Crosstrek is the best bang for buck in terms of combined performance, reliability, cabin space, and aesthetics for the price.
The HRV, while its interior is refined, is too underpowered for its size and only has 2WD for the same price as the Crosstrek which has AWD as standard. Also, there have been reports of the back glass spontaneously shattering.
The Corolla Cross has a tight cabin despite being a big vehicle. Very basic in design as well, and a little underpowered, unless you go for the hybrid which is more expensive.
The CX30 is too small inside and the most expensive of the bunch. I think it’s a solid vehicle, but I can get more car for my money with a Crosstrek.
The Crosstrek on the other hand has a pretty good reputation, AWD as a standard, a huge 11in infotainment screen, lots of safety features, and better performance over the HRV and Corolla based on review comparisons. The interior is pretty basic and not as pretty as the HRV and CX30, but I think the 11in screen makes up for it. I test drove it this week and I liked how it drove. Note that I’m coming from a small and underpowered Kia Soul so it doesn’t take much to wow me.
I was gonna recommend a newer mazda (newer than 2014) as it is often best for the money from what I’ve seen lately, but if you are in the subcompact market, Crosstreks are pretty hard to beat. Been reviewing the market as well to maybe get a newer car in a year or so I’ve looked a reviews on a lot of drivetrains. I’ve heard of some issues with older crosstreks (mostly just issues with oil consumption, and some CVT fears), although if you are getting new/very slightly used they probably would be great choice (probably better with the 2.5l engine). I am a bit biased as my mother used to have a outback with an EJ engine (those would reliably blow a headgasket, or two in her case), which probably has tarnished my view of boxer engines for long term reliability, which is why I generally don’t recommend them.
I’ve heard of some issues with older crosstreks (mostly just issues with oil consumption, and some CVT fears), although if you are getting new/very slightly used they probably would be great choice
I hear ya. I’m looking into the newest model (2024) where so far I haven’t seen any drivetrain/engine issues. Obviously it’s still a very new model, but AFAIK the new boxer engines are better than the previous generations. I know the Mazda CX models are great, but just in the subcompact crossover category, I think the Crosstrek beats the CX30 by a slim margin. More car for money as I mentioned.
What would you recommend? I’m looking into the subcompact suv category. I’ve been choosing between the Crosstrek, HRV, Corolla Cross, and CX30. Based on research and watching/reading reviews, the Crosstrek is the best bang for buck in terms of combined performance, reliability, cabin space, and aesthetics for the price.
The HRV, while its interior is refined, is too underpowered for its size and only has 2WD for the same price as the Crosstrek which has AWD as standard. Also, there have been reports of the back glass spontaneously shattering.
The Corolla Cross has a tight cabin despite being a big vehicle. Very basic in design as well, and a little underpowered, unless you go for the hybrid which is more expensive.
The CX30 is too small inside and the most expensive of the bunch. I think it’s a solid vehicle, but I can get more car for my money with a Crosstrek.
The Crosstrek on the other hand has a pretty good reputation, AWD as a standard, a huge 11in infotainment screen, lots of safety features, and better performance over the HRV and Corolla based on review comparisons. The interior is pretty basic and not as pretty as the HRV and CX30, but I think the 11in screen makes up for it. I test drove it this week and I liked how it drove. Note that I’m coming from a small and underpowered Kia Soul so it doesn’t take much to wow me.
I was gonna recommend a newer mazda (newer than 2014) as it is often best for the money from what I’ve seen lately, but if you are in the subcompact market, Crosstreks are pretty hard to beat. Been reviewing the market as well to maybe get a newer car in a year or so I’ve looked a reviews on a lot of drivetrains. I’ve heard of some issues with older crosstreks (mostly just issues with oil consumption, and some CVT fears), although if you are getting new/very slightly used they probably would be great choice (probably better with the 2.5l engine). I am a bit biased as my mother used to have a outback with an EJ engine (those would reliably blow a headgasket, or two in her case), which probably has tarnished my view of boxer engines for long term reliability, which is why I generally don’t recommend them.
I hear ya. I’m looking into the newest model (2024) where so far I haven’t seen any drivetrain/engine issues. Obviously it’s still a very new model, but AFAIK the new boxer engines are better than the previous generations. I know the Mazda CX models are great, but just in the subcompact crossover category, I think the Crosstrek beats the CX30 by a slim margin. More car for money as I mentioned.