Which of these brightly coloured crossovers has a character that’s true to its funky hue?
Which of these brightly coloured crossovers has a character that’s true to its funky hue?
THEY say that a car’s colour is a reflection of its owner’s personality. But when it comes to fun and funky cars like these crossovers, a car’s colour might actually be hinting at its character, too.
Though it looks green, the Hyundai Kona’s paint job is actually called Acid Yellow. Whatever the name of the paint, the Kona certainly looks zesty and dynamic. And its chunky unpainted fenders aren’t just there to lend it an off -roader vibe, because the Kona is the only contender here with all-wheel-drive.
The passionate and sporty looking competitor in this story is the Mazda CX-3, which comes in a shade called Soul Red. It’s the only nonturbo model in this shootout, but it’ll be banking on its 2-litre engine and well-tuned chassis to outshine its competitors.
Throwing its hat into the ring is the otherworldly Toyota C-HR. Its coupe-like design and sunny yellow paintwork give it the most striking presence, but it’ll also be eager to demonstrate the capabilities of its turbocharged powertrain.
HYUNDAI KONA 1.6 vs MAZDA CX-3 2.0 vs TOYOTA C-HR 1.2
KONA
Hyundai’s turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder with 174hp and 265Nm is the most powerful of the trio, offering the strongest lowend torque and quickest century sprint time.
ENGINE & GEARBOX
ENGINE & GEARBOX
Toyota’s turbocharged 1.2-litre 4-cylinder with 114hp and 185Nm has the lowest output, but its smooth-revving nature is second to none.
HYUNDAI KONA 1.6 vs MAZDA CX-3 2.0 vs TOYOTA C-HR 1.2
KONA
BACKSEAT
Most spacious backseat is also the most supportive. Kona has the only rear cabin with a centre armrest, and the big doorbins make this space the most practical, too.
CX-3
BACKSEAT
Comparatively narrow CX-3 is better for two adults instead of three. The short backrests aren’t ideal for occupants taller than 1.75m, but the well-padded bench ensures that their bums will be seated quite comfortably.
C-HR
BACKSEAT
C-HR’s low roofline makes ingress/egress the trickiest, especially for seniors. However, the bench itself is great for tall folks with large feet, as it has the tallest backrests and the most generous footwell space.
HYUNDAI KONA 1.6 vs MAZDA CX-3 2.0 vs TOYOTA C-HR 1.2
LAST WORD
Given how Toyota is better known for its bland breadandbutter cars, the C-HR is nothing short of shocking. Even more shocking, however, is the mild performance that belies the C-HR’s wild exterior and driver-oriented cockpit. The C-HR has the most leisurely acceleration and a ride quality that is cushy rather than sporty.
That said, the C-HR’s turbocharged 1.2-litre is the most refined motor here, while its CVT is the best we’ve tested so far. The C-HR’s only real drawbacks are its low roofline and stiff pricing. But if you want something stylish without having to suffer (too much) for it, then the sunny C-HR is for you.
If you’re passionate about driving, then the Mazda CX-3 is your ride. Its engine revs keenly and its gearbox is always eager to drop a cog or two. We also love the CX-3’s head-up display and excellent infotainment.
While we love the CX-3’s soul-stirring character and can even live with the higher road tax its 2-litre motor attracts, it’s hard to look past the narrow backseat and small boot, which reduce the car’s overall practicality.
The most irresistible crossover in this story is the dynamic Hyundai Kona. Toyota may have dared to produce something as shocking as the C-HR, but Hyundai has gone a step further, for the Kona’s character actually matches its exterior hue and design.
The Kona’s dynamism is backed up by its ondemand all-wheel-drive and wonderful turbocharged 1.6-litre motor, which lets it zip about town with ease.
The Kona’s other strengths are its commodious cabin, roomy boot and great onboard connectivity. The Kona’s only missteps are its plasticky interior and slightly firm ride, and the $20,000 VES surcharge levied on the Hyundai adversely affects its value-formoney proposition. But these are small penalties to pay for a colourful crossover that out-funks and outruns the competition in this shootout.
HYUNDAI KONA 1.6 (A)
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
CO2 EMISSION 153g/km
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
SIZE 215/55 R17
TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESP
TURNING CIRCLE 10.6m
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
ROOMIEST BACKSEAT, BEST IN-CAR CONNECTIVITY, PUNCHIEST ENGINE
LOTS OF HARD PLASTIC, GEARBOX HESITANT AT LOW SPEEDS, SLIGHTLY FIRM RIDE
MAZDA CX-3 DELUXE 2.0 (A)
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
CO2 EMISSION 146g/km
REAR Torsion beam, coil springs
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
SIZE 215/50 R18
TRACTION AIDS ABS, DSC
TURNING CIRCLE 10.6m
WARRANTY 5 years/100,000km
TIGHTEST BACKSEAT, SMALLEST BOOT, BIGGEST ROAD TAX BILL
TOYOTA C-HR LUXURY 1.2 (A)
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
CO2 EMISSION 144g/km
REAR Double wishbones, coil springs
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
SIZE 215/50 R17
TRACTION AIDS ABS, VSC
TURNING CIRCLE 10.4m
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
MOST DRIVERORIENTED COCKPIT, COMFIEST RIDE, SMOOTHEST DRIVETRAIN
HIGHEST PRICE, TRICKIEST BACKSEAT ACCESS, LEAST EXCITING PERFORMANCE
