One thing that goes unmentioned by other reviewers is the Crosstrek has a nice big 17 gallon tank. Appreciate this because I hate going to gas station.
I had the joy of experiencing the traction handling abilities of the CX-30. In a recent snow storm I had to drive up a mostly 4 degree incline with the cresting of the hill approaching 6 degree. The 3 inches of fresh snow had a thin layer of ice under it and that made the surface of the paved street very treacherous and slick. The CX-30 performed admirably. I could feel the electronics apply power and brake to the individual wheels so the the car could maintain traction and therefore momentum. Went up the hill evenly at 16 mph without traction assist on. Very impressive!
I spent the last 6 months doing research, test driving and test driving. It came down to these two for my choice. I finally decided on the CX30 turbo. I was looking for an AWD commuter that would be fun to drive, comfortable and luxurious. These really are two different vehicles for people with 2 different tastes and needs. I hike and kayak but don't need the AWD system of the Subaru to do this with. Mazda has done an outstanding job on the interior, fit and finish of the CX30.
We had a 18 cross trek. Subaru gave us a 2 1 off road cross trek as a loaner. I drove it for several days. I thought we should upgrade, but Subaru didn’t have much to off sp I went to Mazda and looked at the cx 30 turbo. It blew the Subaru away in most driving conditions. We bought one immediately. I thought after back to back the off road capability of the Mazda was as good as the Subaru
I spent months researching the two. Test drives, watching videos, comparing specs and reviews. Finally, I decided and actually felt really good about my decision. Then my fiancé looked at the interior of the Mazda and held out her hand for my wallet. I think I made the right choice
I went with the 2022 CX-30 CE AWD recently while shopping around for a small crossover & comparing all the ones of interest in-person. I'm happy with the choice.
I chose the cx-30, I line in the city and don't really do off road. I really like the way you point out the strength of each vehicle. I prefer the sporty drive of the cx-30
I am pleasantly surprised that you brought up the Crosstrek's suspension and chassis tuning for off road. It feels like a Jeep over potholes and whatnot. Really sturdy and confidence inspiring
This is probably the most fair comparison I have watched. Good job. I have the new Mazda Turbo AWD and it drives beautifully on city roads. It does not handle bumpy conditions too well at all. I don't drive many of those conditions so, I think I made the right choice for me. Both cars are really nice and were on my short list as I was getting ready to buy.
My wife has a CX-5, the fit, finish, and built in Japan is much better. I've owned three Subarus, next car will be a Mazda. Mazda usually puts a lower profile tire on their vehicles for cornering feel, when you get new tires consult with the shop and get a taller tire, that will smooth out your ride.
We just got the crosstrek outdoor. Have always owned FWDs or 4x4 trucks. And for my driving style and all around places we go. Be that on highway or ruff roads. I’m am amazed that I never even consider a Subaru before. I am a driver and this does have almost every bell and whistle other then a sunroof. Heated seats heated steering wheel paddle shifters, and it just took a minute to get use to the way it handles. Other then wanting a fancy looking interior with means nothing to the feeling of feeling safe on the road. And having friends that own Mazda’s and the issue they have had I’d go with the proven reliability.
That was an excellent review. I particularly like the way you highlighted the sharp contrast between the two regarding their live-ability on rough roads. I love Mazdas, but the Subaru seems to have that important criterion locked down.
Front facing camera on the crosstrek is a gamechanger. I still lean more towards cx-30 due to the interior. You really can’t go wrong with either one though
If You want the same or even greater ability combined far more comfort, Get the Subie Forrester.............I NEVER one time banged the front bumper on the ground with My Forrester.........I do EVERY day with MY new CX30..........14" bumper clearance versus 8" for the CX30........12" door clearance versus 8 for the CX30..........Vastly more interior room/comfort for the Subie and Plush ride.....Versus bone jarring/coffee spilling in the CX30.........My present rides....2016 Forrester//2021 CX30............Paul
I own a CX-30 Turbo Premium. Great car in many ways. Looks good and runs fast on smooth roads. But on any bumpy or rough road this car is absolutely AWFUL! The suspension is completely insufficient. You feel every little bump through the ridiculously skinny steering wheel. Also the gas tank is just to small, not enough range.
To help make a decision do a search on vehicle recalls for both subaru and mazda over the past 5 years. There is a reason why Mazda has taken the top spot for reliability in the recent comsumer reports rankings.
Thank you for the helpful, informative comparison; since I live in the city and drive on roads like the ones shown in the video only a handful of times a year, the CX-30 seems to be the better fit for me. I will need to test drive both, though, to see just how much firmer the ride on it is compared to the Crosstrek since publications like Consumer Reports give a markedly higher grade for ride (and noise/refinement) to the latter.
They are the only ones say this. It had me a bit concerned but I watched and read hundreds of reviews and could not find anyone else agreeing with Consumer Reports on this issue. I like CR and am not knocking them, but they seem to have a bit of a myopic view on this.
@@Rhoneman That's true; none of the other reviews I've seen knock the CX-30's ride quality/noise quite to the same extent as CR, but I give more weight to the opinion of the latter since they're supposedly impartial being that they buy their own cars and, therefore, have no need to appease the car manufacturers as other reviewers who depend on manufacturers sending them cars might. At any rate, a road test of both should settle this for anyone trying to decide between the two.
This was a surprisingly even-handed comparison. I agree that the Mazda CX30 is the better of the two on-road, for it's premium interior, powertrain (with conventional automatic trans), and handling, while the Crosstrek is the most comfortable off-road or on poorly-surfaced roads. I like the Mazda better, overall, but I'm looking for more comfort in my next vehicle (and, where I live, the Subaru dealer is *much* closer).
I love the Mazdas look and it looks more premium than the Crosstrek. The real kicker though is resale value. As someone that buys their cars so I don't have to worry about car payments, I find Mazda's shockingly low resale value to be the main issue with the car. They depreciate like German cars and I think that's sad because they are much more reliable than those. Subarus seem to hold their value for a lot longer, similar to Lexus and Toyota, and for that reason, I would choose the Crosstrek. I bought a 2012 Outback 2.5i Limited new and it's still running well, so I probably won't have to buy a new car, but if I did the Crosstrek would be my choice just because I can buy it new but then sell it in five years and it will probably sell for a similar price to what I paid for it
Quite accurate. The Subie wins hands down on resale value. Even if you compare local dealer stock, crosstreks are hard to find, whereas the Mazdas are plentiful. That is a big tell of what you can expect when you're ready to sell.
I was looking for an AWD/4WD hatch last year, to replace our Suzuki SX4. I typically like Honda or Toyota for reliability, ease of repair, and economy. The CHR and HRV didn't seem to get very good reviews. I researched the Crosstrek and found the Subie aftermarket. I got a 2016 2.slo/CVT Crosstrek Limited. I can find a turbo, armor, intake spacers, cotton airfilters, exhaust, adjustable coilovers, anti-swaybars, winchmounts, hitches, a rear locker, MT or AT tires, etc. This little AWD averages 40+MPG if I just set the cruise around the speed limit. The boxer is easy to work on. The ride and handling seem pretty good for it being a lifted econohatch. The sturdy roofrails and hitch mean that I can haul stuff like a big SUV. It'll tow 1500lb. I'm a pretty happy guy.
As weekend driver, I choose crosstrek sport when I go to hiking, skiing, camping and other outdoor activities. 8.7 ground clearance and the Subaru AWD system, double x mode, provide me enough confidence to go over most of the terrain and weather condition. For city daily driver, you mean want to choose Mazda.
Excellent review! Thorough,balanced and filled with info that real world drivers find desirable features they want in their vehicles and what type of ride and performance to expect under varied conditions. Really enjoyed your video,thanks!!
The Crosstrek is a bit weird in it’s feeling. On rough and rugged surfaces, it soaks them up and feels amazing. On relatively smooth pavement where there might be just some minor inconsistencies and imperfections, the suspension sounds and feels like it’s hitting hard as hell.
nice concise review. No rabbiting on about the infotainment system. very practical and fair. FWIW, I have driven subies for the last 23 years, a legacy brighton wagon that I took on frequent backwoods canoe trips and after it got too rusty (16 yrs) a Forester. Still think they do the job.
Why though. They are two totally different beasts. If you want a Subaru Crosstrek, the comparable rig for that would be a rav-4. If you want a Mazda CX-30, the comparable rig would be a Hyundai Kona.
Buy The Outdoor version it’s just the Best! The 2.5 is amazing 🤩. The interior of the trek is Pretty nice. I had 2018 and the 2021 with the 2.5 is the way to go! Crosstrek was named the best SUV in Canada for 2021.
As a former three time Subaru owner: the Mazda CX-30 is built in Japan and the fit-finish is better quality. The Mazda 2.5L engine is an inline 4cyl engine, the Subaru boxer engine will develop head gasket problems at 90,000 miles. The Subaru has a CVT transmission and the Mazda uses a six speed auto transmission built in Japan by Mazda.
Thanks for the review. It was well done and to the point. It was objective and it touched on many of the important things that a driver needs to assess when making a decision on which vehicle to buy.
It really really depends on where u are living now, what is the weather condition looks like or where u will be living for the rest of your life, for me, in the heavy snow city where has 6 months winter in the entire year, I would go for Crosstrek 2.5.
When talking about headlights it's important to know the cost of replacement , some are in the thousands to replace , more important if dealing in a slightly used car these things you should know .
I will take brighter headlights to ones with lower replacement cost. The costs can be significant down the line but you have to see Mazda lights to believe.
The US versions of the Crosstrek have the LED headlamps in the “Limited” trim along with a couple of other features. They do not have a forward parking camera though.
cx30 - better/nicer interior. crosstrek - roomier interior, better mpg, higher ground clearance, better, more time proven awd system? exterior is subjective, though I do prefer the styling of the crosstrek, and thats coming from someone who finds the CX5 to be gorgeous. too much damn plastic on the cx30.
why take an SUV that cant go off-road though? CVTs aren't as bad as they used to be and if you don't want to go off-road then just spend less and buy a Mazda 3.
I'm choosing the crosstrek. I was between both of these 2023 versions and the fuel range on the cx30 is so bad due to it's smaller tank size. I'm trading in my bigger vehicle because I want better MPGs and the crosstrek will be able to handle more terrains and it just overall works best for me
I just can't bring myself to buy another Subaru. The "utilitarian" aspect seems appealing but my experiences were just way too bad to buy another one, especially at $4 over MSRP markup.
@CNCMatrix where I live our dealer doesn't mark up over sticker. Sorry you're experiences were less than favorable. We currently have 2 foresters, 2019 forester sport with 140k miles and a 2004 forester xt with 150k miles, my daughter has my old 2017 lifted crosstrek and has about 150k, we did have a hybrid crosstrek but I admit fuel economy wasn't as good as I hoped it would be so we got the regular one after. I hope you found a car that works better for you, there are plenty in the Subaru family who love the capability of the Subaru. We just spent 12 days driving 6k miles while camping out of our Subaru from Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Montana, up to Banff Canada, through Washington, California, Nevada Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, the car was absolutely flawless and comfortable with the 2 of us and our Tandem mountain bike on the roof rack.
IM the owner of this Mazda,but we dont have this Subaru in France.Mazda is more beautiful for myself,but I like to watch the difference between Europeean and Canadian model,however this car comes out from the same factory!Some détails,you have Michelin tyres and we have Bridgestone(French vs Japanese) and ...very important we only have a 2liters for this model.2.5 is for Mazda 6 sedan and CX-5.Thank for this very good video and explanation.I give you a tomb
These look like terrific Vehicles, if you have people you drive around, the back seats of these vehicles are tight, very tight. Since this is in Ontario, and I live in Los Angeles, I think parking might be easier with the Subaru Crosstrek. Subaru is usually more expensive, but I think they are a very well made car. Mazda however, has really improved over the years. Cars are just getting so much better and the Engineering is just been improving each year. Used cars too!
I do not own either one, but IMO the biggest difference between the two is the transmission. Subaru uses the dreaded CVT unless you get a manual or the plug in hybrid (which gets the Toyota twin electric motor transmission). MAZDA saw the warranty costs other manufacturers were seeing with CVTs and stayed with the tried and true regular automatic which is much more reliable. I absolutely love the Crosstrek, but I also absolutely love the CX30 and it does not have a CVT. Winner.
Just had a drunk driver smash into our beloved 2016 Subaru. Considering the speed the car protected us well, so I have confidence in the Subaru crash-worthiness. to me the Subaru is the real thing, while the Mazda is just pretending it can go off the beaten path. Having said that the Subaru was my wife's car and she rarely adventured in it, not since I got my Hilux truck, with a roof tent, lockers etc. So the Mazda may be a better choice for her... Really dunno. Need to test-drive the Mazda. We tried the CX-3 before, and that was far too cramped inside. The 30 is a bit bigger, so interesting...
Only a few things that I dun like about crosstrek are cvt, no Led head beam, no sir con vent n usb in the back. About Cx30 are small trunk, no usb in the back row. N of course pricing is absolutely high. Personally I like the cx30 , but still not decided yet among cx30 gt, crosstrek outdoor or Ltd, Corolla cross xle, kona n line.
The CX30 is a front wheel drive vehicle 1st. The awd system as with many kicks in when slippage happens. The Crosstrek is a fulltime 60/40 split and can be a 50/50 bias when warranted. Remember, Subaru is an awd designed platform from the start. The Crosstrek is a more usable product when it comes to space, etc. Sitting in the CX30 reminds me of sitting in a bathtub. Back seat room is basically non-existant if you are over 4ft tall and have these things called legs. On the led lights I personally would rather have halogens for a multitude of reasons. Once out of warranty if things go bad you have to replace the whole headlight assembly which is not cheap. The Subaru's leds for instance are $785 to replace because the lights are integrated into circuit boards. You can't just replace a bulb. That $785 is for 1 headlight keep in mind. Also, if you are not handy under a hood the vehicle will need to go to a shop so you will also eat labor costs as well as downtime. A halogen bulb can be replaced in a driveway by an owner with 2 or more functioning braincells. Bulbs are cheap as well. The halogens also generate enough heat to handle any buildup cause by sleet, freezing rain, etc. Lastly while leds are nice for the driver they are not for oncoming traffic. There is actually talk at the fed level about implementing regulations to dial the output back on leds in the automotive industry for this very reason. Also the Crosstrek has .1 more ground clearance than a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.
At the end of 2023 got CX-30 Carbon for 31 grand, all taxes included. For the same price you could get Crosstrek 2.0L, but it would be severely underpowered! So the choice was quite simple 😊
Subaru needs to put their 2.4 turbo in the Crosstrek, to compete with Mazda's available 2.5 turbo in the cx-30. That engine makes the cx-30 the easy choice for me.
I like both, but the rugged looks of the Crosstrek a bit more. Also, a little more MPG and cheaper price. Which one would y’all say is more reliable and easier on the maintenance?
The design of the Subaru boxer engine and CVT transmission make it a higher maintenance machine. The Mazda has a very open access 4 cylinder, easy to work on, and a conventional 6 speed transmission which traditionally last longer.
Slight correction on the cx 30 power plant..the 2.5 4 cyl motor is not an optional engine for the cx30 its the base power plant and produces 186 hp and 186 pd ft of tourqe not 182....the motor for the Subaru may be optional i cannot confirm or deny that info, but your engine stats for the cx 30 was a tad inaccurate .. .
@@lesgreen9909 i own two subarus and never once have had a gasket issue. A couple wheel bearings yes but no gasket problems. That was the old EJ engine that has not been used in a very long time
the lack of an A/C air duct/vent for the rear passengers is really disappointing for such a car. They have it in Forester, why not for Crosstrek? It's embarrassing
Vi varios videos de Subaru XV y nadie entiende cual es la filosofía de la marca. Se quejan de la potencia y la caja. El XV no es un auto de prestaciones deportivas, el enfoque está puesto en la eficiencia. Un motor bóxer aspirado de Subaru dura 700.000 KM. SI te compras una Tiguan, te dura 200,000 con mucha suerte. Lo mismo la caja CVT. No se rompen jamás. Son eternas. SI se te rompe una caja electrónica de 7 velocidades tienes que tirar el auto por un barranco y cobrar el seguro. El XV es un auto 100% racional. Para usar en todos los terrenos. Si te compras un Peugeot, se ven mas lindos, turbo, caja electrónica, pero no anda bien en ningún terreno, incluido el asfalto y se te va a desarmar en 3 años.
If you want a cabin that looks good and a car that gets shit mpg but goes faster than the comp - get a Mazda. If you want something who's AWD actually does something - get a Subaru you're literally comparing two vehicles that offer two totally different lifestyles. Anybody that's looking at a Subaru Crosstrek, is not looking at a cx-30, if they know what they're doing..
I live In maine so driving conditions are much like Canada and I would say subarus are just the only logical option if you want something that can handle the salted roads, very deep snow on the roads, and frost heaves, pot holes, and backroads. No point spending more than you need to just to feel luxurious when you know damn functionality is all that matters
Subaru sadly still behind with interior updates still using outdated dash gauges when most others are digital now, ugly buttons and boring infotainment .
In my opinion, the lettering on the seats of the Crosstrek looks tacky, not futuristic. The Mazda interior knocks it out of the park, but the large amount of cheap-looking plastic slathered around the wheels and exterior spoils the exterior. The Subaru styling is overall mediocre, particularly the wheels. Close your eyes, and the Crosstrek is a good car for rough terrain.
@@adriannalundasan7570 funny... you wrote Tacoma but after facepalming yourself realizing it’s a pickup... Changed it to Land Cruiser. But 2021 Land Cruiser is only 8 speed auto. Took you a while to find the wrong answer genius.
FYI Crosstrek Sport didn't do so well in The Fast Lane's slip test: ua-cam.com/video/WPBnhfh9HoM/v-deo.html They didn't do one for the CX-30, but the CX-5 basically uses the same system and it aced the same test: ua-cam.com/video/CucAYGqHolc/v-deo.html
@@weetbix2083 I just think it's about time that we start acknowledging manufacturers for coming out with fully capable AWD systems, which are equal (if not better) than Subaru's own. Subaru in particular has been riding on this reputation of having god-like performance for quite some time, and that has a tendency to introduce a lot of bias to these reviews. Yet there's no shortage of "real world" tests being performed where Subaru's cars struggle in some instances (even with X-mode). Honestly I think the company has gotten soft and complacent in some areas, because they simply haven't had any serious competition (at least in their price range) until more recently.
@@mmiski Subie uses several different symmetrical AWD systems. Some are better than others. A rear locker is available for Crosstreks, BTW. Also..MT and AT tires, skids, winchmounts, hitches, rockers, bumpers, etc.
Great comparison. One is the Wrangler of CUVs, other is the sports sedan (BMW 3 series?). CX30 now comes in a turbo with 45-65mph of 3sec flat vs 4.5 for NA. You have to take CX30 slow on bad roads, it is damped but stiff.
They discontinued the manual gearbox for 2024. Great job ShitBarU 👍 More "econo" shitboxes filled with a bunch of garbage nobody actually needs to get where they're going, like "eyesight". I have eyes, I don't need it to tell me I'm out of my lane and beep at me like I'm a Fing idiot. I've been driving a vehicle for over 25 years. I don't need the extra nannies and bullcrap. They complain about the government giving them restrictions on safety, yet go far out of their way on every other feature that people don't want.
One thing that goes unmentioned by other reviewers is the Crosstrek has a nice big 17 gallon tank. Appreciate this because I hate going to gas station.
I had the joy of experiencing the traction handling abilities of the CX-30. In a recent snow storm I had to drive up a mostly 4 degree incline with the cresting of the hill approaching 6 degree. The 3 inches of fresh snow had a thin layer of ice under it and that made the surface of the paved street very treacherous and slick. The CX-30 performed admirably. I could feel the electronics apply power and brake to the individual wheels so the the car could maintain traction and therefore momentum. Went up the hill evenly at 16 mph without traction assist on. Very impressive!
That’s the way I felt. The cx 30 turbo did everything the Subaru did, plus just had tons more power
That torsion beam though 😢
I spent the last 6 months doing research, test driving and test driving. It came down to these two for my choice. I finally decided on the CX30 turbo. I was looking for an AWD commuter that would be fun to drive, comfortable and luxurious. These really are two different vehicles for people with 2 different tastes and needs. I hike and kayak but don't need the AWD system of the Subaru to do this with. Mazda has done an outstanding job on the interior, fit and finish of the CX30.
We had a 18 cross trek. Subaru gave us a 2 1 off road cross trek as a loaner. I drove it for several days. I thought we should upgrade, but Subaru didn’t have much to off sp I went to Mazda and looked at the cx 30 turbo. It blew the Subaru away in most driving conditions. We bought one immediately. I thought after back to back the off road capability of the Mazda was as good as the Subaru
I spent months researching the two. Test drives, watching videos, comparing specs and reviews. Finally, I decided and actually felt really good about my decision. Then my fiancé looked at the interior of the Mazda and held out her hand for my wallet. I think I made the right choice
I went with the 2022 CX-30 CE AWD recently while shopping around for a small crossover & comparing all the ones of interest in-person. I'm happy with the choice.
Nicely done... unbiased review.
The best car is the one that best suits your type of driving and your needs.
I chose the cx-30, I line in the city and don't really do off road.
I really like the way you point out the strength of each vehicle.
I prefer the sporty drive of the cx-30
One of the better side by side reviews I have seen. I own both and would choose the Mazda for everyday driving.
Hi Jon McCargar, dont mind asking, how was the reliability of the subaru xv ? Is considering one for a second suv
because you are clever ✌️
I am pleasantly surprised that you brought up the Crosstrek's suspension and chassis tuning for off road. It feels like a Jeep over potholes and whatnot. Really sturdy and confidence inspiring
This is probably the most fair comparison I have watched. Good job. I have the new Mazda Turbo AWD and it drives beautifully on city roads. It does not handle bumpy conditions too well at all. I don't drive many of those conditions so, I think I made the right choice for me. Both cars are really nice and were on my short list as I was getting ready to buy.
My wife has a CX-5, the fit, finish, and built in Japan is much better. I've owned three Subarus, next car will be a Mazda. Mazda usually puts a lower profile tire on their vehicles for cornering feel, when you get new tires consult with the shop and get a taller tire, that will smooth out your ride.
That crosstrek 23 in the snow is such a champ
We just got the crosstrek outdoor. Have always owned FWDs or 4x4 trucks. And for my driving style and all around places we go. Be that on highway or ruff roads. I’m am amazed that I never even consider a Subaru before. I am a driver and this does have almost every bell and whistle other then a sunroof. Heated seats heated steering wheel paddle shifters, and it just took a minute to get use to the way it handles. Other then wanting a fancy looking interior with means nothing to the feeling of feeling safe on the road. And having friends that own Mazda’s and the issue they have had I’d go with the proven reliability.
That was an excellent review. I particularly like the way you highlighted the sharp contrast between the two regarding their live-ability on rough roads. I love Mazdas, but the Subaru seems to have that important criterion locked down.
Front facing camera on the crosstrek is a gamechanger. I still lean more towards cx-30 due to the interior. You really can’t go wrong with either one though
Only for Canada model, not for USA
@@drunksquirrel2051 oh that makes sense. Thanks for the feedback
@@drunksquirrel2051 yeah you get the heated steering wheel too it must be cold there, Lol
Great review. I personally would prefer the CX30 for the luxury and style but both cars are the best in their class.
Just what I was looking for! Concise and with a wealth of local knowledge (for Quebec winters)
Glad it was helpful!
If You want the same or even greater ability combined far more comfort, Get the Subie Forrester.............I NEVER one time banged the front bumper on the ground with My Forrester.........I do EVERY day with MY new CX30..........14" bumper clearance versus 8" for the CX30........12" door clearance versus 8 for the CX30..........Vastly more interior room/comfort for the Subie and Plush ride.....Versus bone jarring/coffee spilling in the CX30.........My present rides....2016 Forrester//2021 CX30............Paul
I own a CX-30 Turbo Premium. Great car in many ways. Looks good and runs fast on smooth roads. But on any bumpy or rough road this car is absolutely AWFUL! The suspension is completely insufficient. You feel every little bump through the ridiculously skinny steering wheel. Also the gas tank is just to small, not enough range.
I have the Limited trim with the LED head lights that follow the direction of the car. Excellent vehicle but I do love that Mazda too.
To help make a decision do a search on vehicle recalls for both subaru and mazda over the past 5 years. There is a reason why Mazda has taken the top spot for reliability in the recent comsumer reports rankings.
This is funny considering CR's 2024 results.
Thank you for the helpful, informative comparison; since I live in the city and drive on roads like the ones shown in the video only a handful of times a year, the CX-30 seems to be the better fit for me. I will need to test drive both, though, to see just how much firmer the ride on it is compared to the Crosstrek since publications like Consumer Reports give a markedly higher grade for ride (and noise/refinement) to the latter.
They are the only ones say this. It had me a bit concerned but I watched and read hundreds of reviews and could not find anyone else agreeing with Consumer Reports on this issue. I like CR and am not knocking them, but they seem to have a bit of a myopic view on this.
@@Rhoneman That's true; none of the other reviews I've seen knock the CX-30's ride quality/noise quite to the same extent as CR, but I give more weight to the opinion of the latter since they're supposedly impartial being that they buy their own cars and, therefore, have no need to appease the car manufacturers as other reviewers who depend on manufacturers sending them cars might. At any rate, a road test of both should settle this for anyone trying to decide between the two.
This was a surprisingly even-handed comparison. I agree that the Mazda CX30 is the better of the two on-road, for it's premium interior, powertrain (with conventional automatic trans), and handling, while the Crosstrek is the most comfortable off-road or on poorly-surfaced roads. I like the Mazda better, overall, but I'm looking for more comfort in my next vehicle (and, where I live, the Subaru dealer is *much* closer).
Same situation Subaru is down the street and they seem to be everywhere but Mazda dealership is about an hour away. Did you get either? Thanks
I love the Mazdas look and it looks more premium than the Crosstrek. The real kicker though is resale value. As someone that buys their cars so I don't have to worry about car payments, I find Mazda's shockingly low resale value to be the main issue with the car. They depreciate like German cars and I think that's sad because they are much more reliable than those. Subarus seem to hold their value for a lot longer, similar to Lexus and Toyota, and for that reason, I would choose the Crosstrek.
I bought a 2012 Outback 2.5i Limited new and it's still running well, so I probably won't have to buy a new car, but if I did the Crosstrek would be my choice just because I can buy it new but then sell it in five years and it will probably sell for a similar price to what I paid for it
Quite accurate. The Subie wins hands down on resale value. Even if you compare local dealer stock, crosstreks are hard to find, whereas the Mazdas are plentiful. That is a big tell of what you can expect when you're ready to sell.
I was looking for an AWD/4WD hatch last year, to replace our Suzuki SX4. I typically like Honda or Toyota for reliability, ease of repair, and economy. The CHR and HRV didn't seem to get very good reviews. I researched the Crosstrek and found the Subie aftermarket.
I got a 2016 2.slo/CVT Crosstrek Limited. I can find a turbo, armor, intake spacers, cotton airfilters, exhaust, adjustable coilovers, anti-swaybars, winchmounts, hitches, a rear locker, MT or AT tires, etc. This little AWD averages 40+MPG if I just set the cruise around the speed limit. The boxer is easy to work on. The ride and handling seem pretty good for it being a lifted econohatch. The sturdy roofrails and hitch mean that I can haul stuff like a big SUV. It'll tow 1500lb. I'm a pretty happy guy.
As weekend driver, I choose crosstrek sport when I go to hiking, skiing, camping and other outdoor activities. 8.7 ground clearance and the Subaru AWD system, double x mode, provide me enough confidence to go over most of the terrain and weather condition. For city daily driver, you mean want to choose Mazda.
Given these are both fantastic small SUVs I went with getting one of each!
Excellent review! Thorough,balanced and filled with info that real world drivers find desirable features they want in their vehicles and what type of ride and performance to expect under varied conditions. Really enjoyed your video,thanks!!
Been waiting for this comparison. Great video!
The Crosstrek is a bit weird in it’s feeling. On rough and rugged surfaces, it soaks them up and feels amazing. On relatively smooth pavement where there might be just some minor inconsistencies and imperfections, the suspension sounds and feels like it’s hitting hard as hell.
i would agree there :)
nice concise review. No rabbiting on about the infotainment system. very practical and fair. FWIW, I have driven subies for the last 23 years, a legacy brighton wagon that I took on frequent backwoods canoe trips and after it got too rusty (16 yrs) a Forester. Still think they do the job.
Great review, very good comparison.
No nuts and bolts discussion. What about the difference in the rear suspensions?
Subaru has this Winter event right now. I got the outdoor trim for $185 bi-weekly all in even tax for 3 years lease.
Did you put any money down on that deal and which model did you get? Thanks
I can’t get these guys in NY to come down much
@@michaels999 $0 down. I live in Calgary Canada tho.
I got the Outdoor model (Sport in the US)
The two cars I am looking to choose from. Thank you so much!
Why though. They are two totally different beasts.
If you want a Subaru Crosstrek, the comparable rig for that would be a rav-4.
If you want a Mazda CX-30, the comparable rig would be a Hyundai Kona.
Buy The Outdoor version it’s just the Best! The 2.5 is amazing 🤩. The interior of the trek is Pretty nice. I had 2018 and the 2021 with the 2.5 is the way to go! Crosstrek was named the best SUV in Canada for 2021.
@@clou1969 Thx for your advice
As a former three time Subaru owner: the Mazda CX-30 is built in Japan and the fit-finish is better quality. The Mazda 2.5L engine is an inline 4cyl engine, the Subaru boxer engine will develop head gasket problems at 90,000 miles. The Subaru has a CVT transmission and the Mazda uses a six speed auto transmission built in Japan by Mazda.
The head gasket hasn’t been an issue since 2009 it’s insane how many people still think it’s happening
The cx30 is built in Mexico now and the cx5 is still built in Japan.
@@sq7531 agree, used the wrong model, my wife has a CX5, zero problems.
@@Mike-vd2qt may I ask what year cx5 your wife has? I want one but am concerned about the cylinder deactivation. Cx30 2021 took it out
@@vm6674 It is a 2017 with 2.5L non turbo, six speed auto trans. zero problems,
Why is Mazda’s console screen position in that weird spot and waisted a lot of space could have use for bigger screen, just weird
Thanks for the review. It was well done and to the point. It was objective and it touched on many of the important things that a driver needs to assess when making a decision on which vehicle to buy.
It really really depends on where u are living now, what is the weather condition looks like or where u will be living for the rest of your life, for me, in the heavy snow city where has 6 months winter in the entire year, I would go for Crosstrek 2.5.
When talking about headlights it's important to know the cost of replacement , some are in the thousands to replace , more important if dealing in a slightly used car these things you should know .
I will take brighter headlights to ones with lower replacement cost. The costs can be significant down the line but you have to see Mazda lights to believe.
The US versions of the Crosstrek have the LED headlamps in the “Limited” trim along with a couple of other features. They do not have a forward parking camera though.
Yes, canada has limited too, just cost more.
The outdoor is us version sports trim.
Justin excellent review as usual....thanks for the great comparison
Thanks Chris!!
Great info. Still on the fence between the two.
cx30 - better/nicer interior. crosstrek - roomier interior, better mpg, higher ground clearance, better, more time proven awd system? exterior is subjective, though I do prefer the styling of the crosstrek, and thats coming from someone who finds the CX5 to be gorgeous. too much damn plastic on the cx30.
Great concisa and clean review TK very much
Pretty useful comparison, just what I was looking for! 😃😃😃👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Mazda has automatic transmission. Subaru has cvt. I'll take the Mazda anyday. No cvt's for me
why take an SUV that cant go off-road though? CVTs aren't as bad as they used to be and if you don't want to go off-road then just spend less and buy a Mazda 3.
CVT is much better! You don't know Subarus latest CVT :D
Most cvt comments or knowledge are misinformed. Cvts are in most models but Subaru has been developing this much longer then most other models.
CVT gets bad rep from shitty cvts like honda uses. My 15 impreza is at 232k miles. Do your 60k fluid change on the cvt and difs and you're fine.
I hate cvt's, The Subaru cvt is hands down the best which is why I am now the owner of a Crosstrek with the cvt.
My 2011 Equinox has a replaced CVT transmission, previously I had Lancer with a CVT that failed as well. Yea, I'll take the Mazda.
The Equinox doesn't have a CVT.
Equinox has a CVT?
Great review. Not so snowy in Belgium, Europe, so I love my Mazda CX30, suits me ;)
I'm choosing the crosstrek. I was between both of these 2023 versions and the fuel range on the cx30 is so bad due to it's smaller tank size. I'm trading in my bigger vehicle because I want better MPGs and the crosstrek will be able to handle more terrains and it just overall works best for me
Great choice
I just can't bring myself to buy another Subaru. The "utilitarian" aspect seems appealing but my experiences were just way too bad to buy another one, especially at $4 over MSRP markup.
@CNCMatrix where I live our dealer doesn't mark up over sticker. Sorry you're experiences were less than favorable. We currently have 2 foresters, 2019 forester sport with 140k miles and a 2004 forester xt with 150k miles, my daughter has my old 2017 lifted crosstrek and has about 150k, we did have a hybrid crosstrek but I admit fuel economy wasn't as good as I hoped it would be so we got the regular one after. I hope you found a car that works better for you, there are plenty in the Subaru family who love the capability of the Subaru. We just spent 12 days driving 6k miles while camping out of our Subaru from Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Montana, up to Banff Canada, through Washington, California, Nevada Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, the car was absolutely flawless and comfortable with the 2 of us and our Tandem mountain bike on the roof rack.
IM the owner of this Mazda,but we dont have this Subaru in France.Mazda is more beautiful for myself,but I like to watch the difference between Europeean and Canadian model,however this car comes out from the same factory!Some détails,you have Michelin tyres and we have Bridgestone(French vs Japanese) and ...very important we only have a 2liters for this model.2.5 is for Mazda 6 sedan and CX-5.Thank for this very good video and explanation.I give you a tomb
These look like terrific Vehicles, if you have people you drive around, the back seats of these vehicles are tight, very tight. Since this is in Ontario, and I live in Los Angeles, I think parking might be easier with the Subaru Crosstrek. Subaru is usually more expensive, but I think they are a very well made car. Mazda however, has really improved over the years. Cars are just getting so much better and the Engineering is just been improving each year. Used cars too!
Very good review. Thank you.
I do not own either one, but IMO the biggest difference between the two is the transmission. Subaru uses the dreaded CVT unless you get a manual or the plug in hybrid (which gets the Toyota twin electric motor transmission). MAZDA saw the warranty costs other manufacturers were seeing with CVTs and stayed with the tried and true regular automatic which is much more reliable. I absolutely love the Crosstrek, but I also absolutely love the CX30 and it does not have a CVT. Winner.
Just had a drunk driver smash into our beloved 2016 Subaru. Considering the speed the car protected us well, so I have confidence in the Subaru crash-worthiness. to me the Subaru is the real thing, while the Mazda is just pretending it can go off the beaten path. Having said that the Subaru was my wife's car and she rarely adventured in it, not since I got my Hilux truck, with a roof tent, lockers etc. So the Mazda may be a better choice for her... Really dunno. Need to test-drive the Mazda. We tried the CX-3 before, and that was far too cramped inside. The 30 is a bit bigger, so interesting...
Great video!
Only a few things that I dun like about crosstrek are cvt, no Led head beam, no sir con vent n usb in the back.
About Cx30 are small trunk, no usb in the back row. N of course pricing is absolutely high.
Personally I like the cx30 , but still not decided yet among cx30 gt, crosstrek outdoor or Ltd, Corolla cross xle, kona n line.
The CX30 is a front wheel drive vehicle 1st. The awd system as with many kicks in when slippage happens.
The Crosstrek is a fulltime 60/40 split and can be a 50/50 bias when warranted.
Remember, Subaru is an awd designed platform from the start.
The Crosstrek is a more usable product when it comes to space, etc.
Sitting in the CX30 reminds me of sitting in a bathtub. Back seat room is basically non-existant if you are over 4ft tall and have these things called legs.
On the led lights I personally would rather have halogens for a multitude of reasons. Once out of warranty if things go bad you have to replace the whole headlight assembly which is not cheap.
The Subaru's leds for instance are $785 to replace because the lights are integrated into circuit boards. You can't just replace a bulb.
That $785 is for 1 headlight keep in mind. Also, if you are not handy under a hood the vehicle will need to go to a shop so you will also eat labor costs as well as downtime.
A halogen bulb can be replaced in a driveway by an owner with 2 or more functioning braincells.
Bulbs are cheap as well.
The halogens also generate enough heat to handle any buildup cause by sleet, freezing rain, etc.
Lastly while leds are nice for the driver they are not for oncoming traffic.
There is actually talk at the fed level about implementing regulations to dial the output back on leds in the automotive industry for this very reason.
Also the Crosstrek has .1 more ground clearance than a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.
At the end of 2023 got CX-30 Carbon for 31 grand, all taxes included. For the same price you could get Crosstrek 2.0L, but it would be severely underpowered! So the choice was quite simple 😊
Subaru needs to put their 2.4 turbo in the Crosstrek, to compete with Mazda's available 2.5 turbo in the cx-30. That engine makes the cx-30 the easy choice for me.
If a choice boils down to which one is faster in a compact cuv, you need to find a different vehicle to drive.
@@danielfair4675 no
I like both, but the rugged looks of the Crosstrek a bit more. Also, a little more MPG and cheaper price. Which one would y’all say is more reliable and easier on the maintenance?
The design of the Subaru boxer engine and CVT transmission make it a higher maintenance machine. The Mazda has a very open access 4 cylinder, easy to work on, and a conventional 6 speed transmission which traditionally last longer.
award-winning type review here.
Concise and clear review
Good review!
Slight correction on the cx 30 power plant..the 2.5 4 cyl motor is not an optional engine for the cx30 its the base power plant and produces 186 hp and 186 pd ft of tourqe not 182....the motor for the Subaru may be optional i cannot confirm or deny that info, but your engine stats for the cx 30 was a tad inaccurate ..
.
My main gripe with the Mazda is the tiny gas tank.
many thanks to the high ground clearance, uncle sam doesn't have to fix the potholes everywhere. No doubt subaru's sales is through the roof
If only every other car around me wasn’t a crosstrek I’d like it more. See them everywhere
Nice video. I was looking at these 2 cars. I’m considering the crosstrek limited. It will be my 3rd Subie
Watch out for the those head gaskets going.
@@lesgreen9909 yes, I had that happen on both cars but nothing else went wrong on my current Impreza. She’s 10 years old now.
@@lesgreen9909 i own two subarus and never once have had a gasket issue. A couple wheel bearings yes but no gasket problems. That was the old EJ engine that has not been used in a very long time
Great video.
Previous years Mazda CX-30s had 187 HP... Did they change that to 182?
Well done! Thank you.
Do they have the same tires ?
Subaru should update the look of the crosstek. It looks like a ten year old model or even older.
the lack of an A/C air duct/vent for the rear passengers is really disappointing for such a car.
They have it in Forester, why not for Crosstrek?
It's embarrassing
$$
Is the Subaru Crosstre called in other countries Subaru XV?
Question, which one is reliable
What if frequent travel on BC highway, which one is better?
zoom zoom
So what's the verdic?
Excellent review, Justin. Please add fuel economy to the analysis in the future.
I don't even know why they even offer yellow halogen in new cars like what?
very good vehicle comparison
nice job. thanks.
I rather have a CX30 2.0 crossover more features 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
How come they never talk about the tech stuff like eyesight when comparing these types of vehicles
Vi varios videos de Subaru XV y nadie entiende cual es la filosofía de la marca. Se quejan de la potencia y la caja. El XV no es un auto de prestaciones deportivas, el enfoque está puesto en la eficiencia. Un motor bóxer aspirado de Subaru dura 700.000 KM. SI te compras una Tiguan, te dura 200,000 con mucha suerte. Lo mismo la caja CVT. No se rompen jamás. Son eternas. SI se te rompe una caja electrónica de 7 velocidades tienes que tirar el auto por un barranco y cobrar el seguro. El XV es un auto 100% racional. Para usar en todos los terrenos. Si te compras un Peugeot, se ven mas lindos, turbo, caja electrónica, pero no anda bien en ningún terreno, incluido el asfalto y se te va a desarmar en 3 años.
bro i was watching re zero why I am here when I wake up
If you want a cabin that looks good and a car that gets shit mpg but goes faster than the comp - get a Mazda.
If you want something who's AWD actually does something - get a Subaru
you're literally comparing two vehicles that offer two totally different lifestyles. Anybody that's looking at a Subaru Crosstrek, is not looking at a cx-30, if they know what they're doing..
I live In maine so driving conditions are much like Canada and I would say subarus are just the only logical option if you want something that can handle the salted roads, very deep snow on the roads, and frost heaves, pot holes, and backroads. No point spending more than you need to just to feel luxurious when you know damn functionality is all that matters
Subaru sadly still behind with interior updates still using outdated dash gauges when most others are digital now, ugly buttons and boring infotainment .
Crosstrek comes with a 6 speed manual and has A large aftermarket upgrade option, so more me that’s an automatic win.
Sorry it is a CVT, might have 6 steps to simulate.
@@AmitojdeepSinghBrar You can get the Crosstrek with a manual trans, but only with the 2.0. The 2.5 is CVT only.
In my opinion, the lettering on the seats of the Crosstrek looks tacky, not futuristic. The Mazda interior knocks it out of the park, but the large amount of cheap-looking plastic slathered around the wheels and exterior spoils the exterior. The Subaru styling is overall mediocre, particularly the wheels. Close your eyes, and the Crosstrek is a good car for rough terrain.
I would pick the Mazda I don't even need to see a review of a Mazda I know I would pick the Mazda 100%
Subaru ❤️
I’ll take home the one with an actual gears. No rubber bands.
K. Go away then
So what brand new manual AWD SUV available in North America would you recommend? Please enlighten us with your wisdom...
@@payasofeo69 land cruiser
@@adriannalundasan7570 funny... you wrote Tacoma but after facepalming yourself realizing it’s a pickup... Changed it to Land Cruiser. But 2021 Land Cruiser is only 8 speed auto. Took you a while to find the wrong answer genius.
I’ll take the crosstrek.
FYI Crosstrek Sport didn't do so well in The Fast Lane's slip test: ua-cam.com/video/WPBnhfh9HoM/v-deo.html
They didn't do one for the CX-30, but the CX-5 basically uses the same system and it aced the same test: ua-cam.com/video/CucAYGqHolc/v-deo.html
Take those "lab" tests with a pinch of salt. Nothing can substitute real world conditions. Its like EPA gas milage and real world driving figures.
@@weetbix2083 I just think it's about time that we start acknowledging manufacturers for coming out with fully capable AWD systems, which are equal (if not better) than Subaru's own.
Subaru in particular has been riding on this reputation of having god-like performance for quite some time, and that has a tendency to introduce a lot of bias to these reviews. Yet there's no shortage of "real world" tests being performed where Subaru's cars struggle in some instances (even with X-mode).
Honestly I think the company has gotten soft and complacent in some areas, because they simply haven't had any serious competition (at least in their price range) until more recently.
@@mmiski Subie uses several different symmetrical AWD systems. Some are better than others. A rear locker is available for Crosstreks, BTW. Also..MT and AT tires, skids, winchmounts, hitches, rockers, bumpers, etc.
Great comparison. One is the Wrangler of CUVs, other is the sports sedan (BMW 3 series?). CX30 now comes in a turbo with 45-65mph of 3sec flat vs 4.5 for NA. You have to take CX30 slow on bad roads, it is damped but stiff.
Me that drives a nissan versa from 2014 sits in anything else: is this a luxury car?
thanks
Subaru is on a shity CVT gear box, so there is no competition.
They discontinued the manual gearbox for 2024.
Great job ShitBarU 👍
More "econo" shitboxes filled with a bunch of garbage nobody actually needs to get where they're going, like "eyesight".
I have eyes, I don't need it to tell me I'm out of my lane and beep at me like I'm a Fing idiot.
I've been driving a vehicle for over 25 years. I don't need the extra nannies and bullcrap.
They complain about the government giving them restrictions on safety, yet go far out of their way on every other feature that people don't want.
Why does he call them machines? Very odd. I would like to see them compare with the new toyota corolla cross
If washer fluid is the only thing the mazda has, it's a clear win for Subaru 😂