The Subaru Crosstrek and the Mazda CX-30 compete in the same subcompact SUV class but are very different. While they cater to modern-era SUV buyers who value versatility, efficiency, and the freedom to explore, their personas separate them both from each other and other models in their crowded segment.
Mazda classifies the CX-30 as a crossover SUV, but it looks and drives like a hot hatchback. That is especially true in versions with its up-level turbocharged engine, which makes it one of the most powerful models in its class. Yes, the CX-30 has all-wheel drive (AWD) and a bit more ground clearance to authenticate its SUV status. But its short overall length and relatively low roofline mean it has the handling chops and agility to play the hot hatch game. It will go off-pavement and slog through snow, but it feels most at home on twisty roads that enable it to work its special Mazda magic.
The Crosstrek offers magic of a completely different sort. Subaru designed it for those who crave adventure and enjoy exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. It embodies Subaru's ruggedness and versatility ethos, featuring its signature AWD system and high ground clearance to match.
Drivers who want to trade the pavement for dirt and gravel will find the Crosstrek offers the confidence to take a detour down a scenic mountain trail. Subaru has long been known for vehicles that can handle harsh conditions, and the Crosstrek is no exception, providing both reliability and a spirit of exploration.
Choosing between the Crosstrek and the CX-30 ultimately comes down to understanding what driving experience you value more than which is better for the same task. Both vehicles are capable commuters, but one feels composed climbing a rocky trail while the other is in its element scooting down a canyon road. This comparison will give you more details that can help you decide which is better for you.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek Sport
Subaru offers the 2025 Crosstrek in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness. While many other subcompact SUVs provide front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD options, every 2025 Crosstrek comes with AWD. The entry-level Crosstrek Base starts at $25,695, while the most expensive Crosstrek is the off-road-oriented Wilderness, which starts at $32,495. Prices do not include the $1,420 destination charge.
Subaru provides Crosstrek owners with complimentary roadside assistance for three years or 36,000 miles, but it does not include complimentary scheduled maintenance. Buyers get a four-month SiriusXM All-Access Radio trial and the SiriusXM Travel Platinum Plan. Subaru's Starlink Safety and Security connected services, which require a subscription, offer various features, and the optional Starlink Concierge service can help with navigation and reservations. Those seeking in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot capability can get it by subscription on all trims except the Base model.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 lineup offers five trims with normally aspirated engines and three turbocharged trims. The brand offers S, S Select Sport, S Preferred, S Carbon Edition, and S Premium variants with a conventional four-cylinder engine and Carbon Turbo, Turbo Premium, and Turbo Premium Plus trim. All 2025 CX-30s are AWD.
The S is the least expensive CX-30, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $24,995. The Turbo Premium Plus sits at the top of the lineup with an MSRP of $36,950. Prices do not include the $1,420 destination charge.
The 2025 CX-30 offers free roadside assistance for three years or 36,000 miles. Like most 2025 model-year Mazdas, it provides one year of complimentary Mazda Connected Services. Mazda includes a vehicle status monitor, remote start/stop, vehicle finder, and "send-to-car" navigation. A 3-month/2-GB trial of a Wi-Fi hotspot is also complimentary.
Advantage: Mazda CX-30
Why? The Mazda has a lower base price and offers a much wider variety of choices.
2025 Mazda CX-30
The Subaru Crosstrek does not rank among the top three models in the Small SUV segment in the JD Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership.
The Crosstrek also does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2024 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek offers a three-year/36,000-mile standard warranty and a powertrain coverage of five years or 60,000 miles.
The Mazda CX-30 does not rank among the top three models in the Small SUV segment in either the 2024 VDS or the 2024 IQS. Its warranty coverage matches the Crosstrek.
Advantage: Neither
Why? It’s a straight-up tie.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek Sport
The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek offers buyers two powertrain choices. The Base trim comes with a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque.
The Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims get a slightly more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine generating 182 hp and 178 pound-feet of torque. Both engine options pair with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that delivers power to all four wheels.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates Crosstreks with the 2.0-liter engine and most with the 2.5-liter engine at 29 mpg in combined driving. The exception is the Wilderness with the 2.5-liter engine with a lower combined rating of 27 mpg.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 gives buyers the choice of normally aspirated and turbocharged engines with AWD standard across the board. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with cylinder deactivation. It offers 191 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque. The up-level engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque. Mazda pairs both engines with a six-speed automatic transmission with Sport and manual shift modes.
The EPA rates the 2025 CX-30’s fuel economy at 29 mpg combined for normally aspirated variants and 25 mpg combined for turbocharged versions.
Advantage: Mazda CX-30
Why? The CX-30 offers more powerful base and up-level engines, and its fuel economy is comparable to the Crosstrek.
2025 Mazda CX-30
At this point, it is reasonable for any consumer to expect a brand-new vehicle to include the following safety features:
So, how do the Crosstrek and CX-30 stack up? Let's take a look.
Noted for safety, Subaru equips the 2025 Crosstrek with the latest version of its EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) package. Compared to the previous system, it features an enhanced stereo camera with a broader field of view, an additional monocular camera, and an electric brake booster.
In addition to safety features that are commonly available, Subaru offers automatic emergency steering on Crosstreks with blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings. Subaru also introduced a new standard rear-seat reminder system across all trims in late 2024.
Most versions of the 2025 Crosstrek earned the highest-possible five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the agency has not carried that rating over to the top Wilderness trim as of this writing. While it hasn’t rated the 2025 model, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the structurally identical 2024 Crosstrek a Top Safety Pick for the 2024 calendar year. However, the Institute has yet to carry that rating over for the 2024 calendar year.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 features a robust roster of standard ADAS in its i-ActivSense safety package. In addition to the systems listed above, the standard lineup includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Upper trims offer traffic-sign recognition, traffic-jam assist, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and rear automatic emergency braking.
The NHTSA gave the 2025 Mazda CX-30 five stars for overall safety. While the IIHS has yet to rate the 2025 model, it named the nearly identical 2024 CX-30 a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2024 calendar year.
Advantage: Mazda CX-30
Why? Both SUVs provide a substantial level of safety, but the CX-30 edges the Subaru in the number of ADAS available.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek Sport
Subaru fits the base 2025 Crosstrek with a Starlink Multimedia system that features dual 7-inch digital displays. The upper screen houses audio controls, while the lower screen manages the climate system, EyeSight settings, and the X-Mode traction system. It includes AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM All-Access satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A larger 11.6-inch display with the same functionalities and a six-speaker audio system are standard in all other Crosstrek trims, and a Harman Kardon 10-speaker audio system is available as an upgrade on the Limited trim.
Subaru's Starlink Connected Services offers Crosstrek buyers a variety of features, such as SOS emergency assistance, automatic collision notifications, stolen-vehicle recovery, maintenance alerts, and vehicle health reports. The Starlink Convenience package adds remote functions like door lock and unlock.
The Crosstrek's CVTs have some commendable features. The Base trim's CVT includes a low-shift mode, X-Mode, and hill-descent control. The Premium, Sport, Wilderness, and Limited trims further enhance this with an eight-speed manual mode with faux gear changes via paddle shifters.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 goes against the norm by eschewing touch-sensing in its standard 8.8-inch and up-level 10.25-inch center display. Rather than touching the screen, users must manipulate a console-mounted controller, which can be awkward. The base system offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM/FM radio, and a 7-inch driver information display.
Higher trims substitute the 10.25-inch display and add touchscreen functionality for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated navigation, and a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM.
The turbo trims include eight-speaker Mazda Harmonics Acoustics audio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system is available. All CX-30 trims offer Mazda Connected Services complimentary for one year. They include mobile 911 automatic emergency notification, infotainment system voice command, multi-function commander control, Radio Broadcast Data System program information, and SMS text messages with audio delivery and reply functions.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 is one of the few models in its segment to offer Alexa Built-in. Featured for the first time in the 2025 model year (on all but the base trim), the new functionality enables CX-30 drivers to use voice commands to change the temperature, play streaming content, and control their smart home devices while in the vehicle. The CX-30 also features optional Mazda Online Navigation, which offers expanded mapping data with live traffic and the ability to do over-the-air updates.
Advantage: Neither
Why? The Subaru and Mazda systems have their positives and their foibles. The CX-30 offers minimal touchscreen functionality but includes Alexa integration, while the Crosstrek doesn't.
2025 Mazda CX-30
The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek seats five and features an updated interior that maintains a familiar Subaruesque design. While some rivals deliver more creative cabins and upscale materials, the Crosstrek focuses on a straightforward and functional interior. Durable cloth seats are the norm, while leather upholstery is available on higher trims. The newly redesigned front seats provide solid support, and all trims come with dual-zone automatic climate control.
Emphasizing practicality, most Crosstrek trims have manually adjustable front seats, while the Limited trim offers a power-adjustable driver's seat. Heated front seats are standard on the top trims but unavailable on the Base model. The Wilderness trim features StarTex water-repellent upholstery.
The Crosstrek provides 19.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats for cargo and gear. When you fold down the 60/40 split rear seats, the cargo room expands to 54.7 cubic feet. Each Crosstrek comes with a rear cargo tray to help with everyday tasks.
One of the 2025 Mazda CX-30’s differentiators is its interior, which buyers can deck out in a fashion that rivals—or surpasses—many luxury-brand vehicles. With a driver-focused instrument nacelle, the dash presents a broad horizontal swath to the occupants, with the infotainment screen peeking out from its top. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard in all but the base S trim. The base S has cloth seats. Mid-level trims have synthetic leather, and the top trims get genuine leather. The opulence is balanced by the fact the CX-30 has one of the smallest interiors in the class.
Mid- and upper-level trims feature eight-way power-adjustable driver's seats and heated front seats. Several of the top trims get a heated steering wheel. The rear bench seats feature 60/40 split-folding seat backs that fold flat.
The sporty CX-30 has a small overall cargo space compared to others in the class. It will accommodate a respectable 20.2 cubic feet of luggage behind the rear seats, but with those seats folded, the CX-30 offers a relatively paltry 45.2 cubic feet of cargo room. A power-operated liftgate is available on the top trims.
Advantage: Subaru Crosstrek
Why? The Crosstrek offers more total cargo space.
If you’d like to learn more about these small SUVs, be sure to read our expert reviews of the Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Crosstrek Limited, Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, Mazda CX-30, and Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please remember that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on November 1, 2024, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of MotorTrend, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack currently hosts the Sports Byline Network program "America on the Road," available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Audacy, Amazon Music, and other outlets.
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