Which small car: Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Mazda CX-3 or Honda HR-V

A Honda fan needs a hatch or SUV. The top candidate wears a familiar badge

Honda Civic. Pic: Supplied.

THE QUESTION

In the past I’ve come to you for car advice. My partner is enjoying the Hyundai i30 that you recommended. Now I’m interested in a replacement for my 2009 Honda Accord Euro. It’s travelled 120,000km and I’ve been very happy with it. If Honda had continued to sell this car in Australia I would have replaced my car by now. What would you recommend for me in the current market? The car is used for business and a family of two. What about the Honda Civic hatch and Mazda CX-3? I am leaning towards the Civic because of my good experience with the Accord.

Don Moore, email

THE ANSWER

You are cutting across car classes with your potential purchases but that’s a good thing if you are chasing the right result. The Civic is a small hatch and the CX-3 is a compact SUV. There is something important to consider — the smaller SUVs sold in Australia are usually based on a car that sits below the one you might expect. So the CX-3 is based on the Mazda2, not the Mazda3, and the Honda HR-V is based on the Jazz and not the Civic. It’s important, not just because of the size but also the general refinement and (most significantly) the price premium on small SUVs. The Jazz starts at $14,990 and yet the HR-V opens at $24,990. Honda dropped the Accord Euro because American buyers wanted something bigger in the cabin and didn’t care about the sharper handling of the Euro. So the car some called “The Homer” survived in Honda’s model mix.

The Honda Civic hatch. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

 

CHOICES

HONDA CIVIC HATCH

From about $24,990 drive-away

The styling is fussy in places but the new hatch is a welcome return to form. Honda did some cheap, uninspiring work during and after the GFC but this one is impressive in the cabin, quiet and good to drive. The new five-year warranty shows Honda Australia is trying hard.

Honda CR-V. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

HONDA CR-V

From about $33,590 drive-away

If you want to stay with a Honda and you like the idea of an SUV, the bigger CR-V is much more refined and enjoyable and will feel closer to the Euro than the HR-V. It’s been renewed this year with impressive refinement and the Honda quality you like, although it could be too big (there is a seven-seat version) and a bit too ponderous in the driving.

Mazda’s CX-3. Pic: Supplied.

MAZDA CX-3

From about $23,745 drive-away

The most car-like of the baby SUVs is much smaller than the Civic, especially in the boot, but has its strengths. Access is easy, it’s perky in traffic with a 2.0-litre engine and front-wheel drive and outward vision is good. It’s not cheap, the basic Neo has a tiny infotainment screen and there’s no reversing camera.

Mazda3 Maxx hatch. Pic: Supplied.

WILDCARD

MAZDA3

From about $24,059 drive-away

If you’re already visiting a Mazda showroom for the CX-3, then cross-shop the Mazda3 against the Honda. It’s a long-time favourite that is good to drive and has a similar classy feel to the Accord Euro, although it trails the new Civic a little on class in the cabin. It’s good value, too, compared with the CX-3.

VERDICT

Nothing available today really sits in the same space as the Accord Euro, as cars have become bigger and sporty driving feel has been sacrificed for SUV styling and practicality. If you’re a true Honda fan there is no reason not to buy the new Civic, provided you can live with the slightly overdone bodywork.