Battle of the cute utes: Honda HR-V is spacious, Mazda CX-3 is sporty - Reading Eagle
The hottest segment in the U. S. auto market is getting hotter with the addition of new subcompact SUV offerings from Honda and Mazda. New for 2016 are Honda's HR-V and Mazda's CX-3. Both are small utility vehicles with starting prices near $20,000, aimed at what Mazda calls "new buyers, early adopters, empty-nesters and right-sizers," and what Honda calls "balanced individualists. The segment already is overheated, with sales doubling from 205,467 units in 2011 to a projected 400,000-plus in 2015. Fighting for attention in the mini- or subcompact-crossover market are the Subaru Crosstrek, Nissan Juke, Jeep Renegade, Fiat... Hyundai and Scion are planning subcompact SUVs too. "This segment is hot because SUVs are hot, and these are small SUVs that cost barely more than a common economy car," said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "SUVs work for small families, retirees and college students. Honda already has been dominant in the small crossover category. The HR-V is 10 inches shorter and 2 inches slimmer than its sibling. Bearing paddle shifters ordinarily reserved for sportier cars, the HR-V has a peppy power band and makes good use of the 1. 8-liter, four-cylinder engine, which makes 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable transmission spreads the power around well, so the HR-V only. Source: readingeagle.com
