Mazda 3, Honda HRV, Volvo V40

Hoof_Hearted

Need a new car soon and like the three mentioned above. I would have to pay a premium for the Honda as they seem expensive used, but I like the low boot lip. Mazda looks most fun but Volvo is very well equipped. Anyone have any experience of these models. Difficult to view them at the moment, but I don't fancy buying one online.

EssexExile

Not had those models but I moved from a Honda CR-V to a Volvo XC60 and I wouldn't go back to a Honda. An entirely different level of equipment and refinement.

Grumpy_chap

The Mazda and the Volvo are regular hatchbacks, while the Honda is a SUV.
I've not had any of the models but, of the 3 and if it were me, I'd go for the Volvo - especially as they seem very keenly priced as a used buy.  BUT, this is really just me expressing what my personal preference would be and others have a different personal preference for all sorts of reasons.  I don't have any data that supports my preference either way.

bhjm

land HRV subcompact crossover SUV, not really and SUV.
looks like as soon the car is higher than a saloon it`s called SUV.

Grumpy_chap

As an alternative, if the OP likes Honda and happy with a regular hatchback, the Civic has to be a consideration.  Seen some on Autotrader at attractive rates.

cymruchris

I've had a Volvo S40 the saloon relative of the V40 - the worst car I've ever, ever, ever, ever owned. It doesn't have the perceived Volvo strength and reliability I had expected. It 'broke' far too many times for my liking, the suspension was awful, the fuel economy nothing special, and by the time I sold it the gearbox was knocking more often than the front door of a den of ill repute. I would avoid a Volvo again for my entire life. I found parts availability a pain as well - as there were at least three different versions of whatever I needed to replace - and the chassis number didn't narrow it down. I had to live for a few months with a worn drive shaft as nobody could actually work out which one fitted. Just in case I didn't mention it at the beginning, It was my worst nightmare car ever. 

Honda is Japanese - and has a much better build quality - and will go wrong less often - but if and when it goes wrong, it won't be as cheap as some other brands. 

Mazda is also Japanese - and although has better build quality than the Volvo in the engine - the bodywork isn't as well put together. Mazda's do have a habit of rusting away. So it does depend on what age of car you're looking at. Is it a NEW car - or a new car to you but used?

Hoof_Hearted

To clarify, I'm looking for something 3-4 years old with lowish mileage. In general, the HRV is about £3,000 more than the other cars mentioned. The Volvo looks the best value for money, but Cymruchris's comments makes me wonder if it would be a good buy. I thought Volvos had a good reliability record. The Civic, which I like, has a very slopey back which wouldn't be so good for the large mutt.

Grumpy_chap

I think the S40 and related V40 estate mentioned by Cymruchris was discontinued many years ago.  The later V40 hatchback is closely related to the Focus.  I think recently dropped from the Volvo range.

noclaf

I am in a similar dilemma to the OP albeit only looking at hatchbacks.
For refinement, seat comfort, equipment and overall looks the V40 is my preference however I do worry about long-term reliability esp when it comes to electrics, the more complexity and features...generally the more to go wrong IMO. Boot space seems slightly limited on the V40 compared to other hatchbacks.
I would assume the more recent Mazda 3's would not have an issue with rust like the older models but paintwork on Mazda seems to be an issue generally. I would expect v good reliability overall on the Mazda 3. I just wish they had produced higher numbers of cars with the 165 bhp engine and leather seats.
Personally I would be swaying towards the V40...

cymruchris

Reliability and Volvo don't mix well on the s40/v40 range. 'It shares many components with the ford focus' they said - then when I needed parts they couldn't work out what I had - and in one case neither the volvo or the ford part appeared to be correct. Definitely the Honda - why do you think the price is higher? The volvo has all the toys, but they go wrong, so more to sort out

Grumpy_chap

cymruchris said:

Reliability and Volvo don't mix well on the s40/v40 range. 

Are you referring to the Volvo S40 saloon / V40 estate - discontinued about 7 / 8 years ago?

The OP is talking about a car 3-4 years old, so would be referring to the latter Volvo V40 hatchback (only, no saloon / estate options) dropped form the model range only late last year (2019).  Replaced by the XC40.