Mazda CX-30 vs Subaru Crosstrek
Small crossovers · head to head, 2020–2027
The Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstrek were both sold for 8 model years (2020–2027). Among the CX-30's own years, its best bet is 2024; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Crosstrek's own years, its best bet is 2023; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Mazda CX-30
Crossover · 2020–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2021
Subaru Crosstrek
Crossover · 2013–2027
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy CX-30 year says nothing about whether it beats a Crosstrek. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Mazda CX-30 | Subaru Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly brakes and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Mazda CX-30 | 2026 Subaru Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $26,375 to $37,900 base price by trim, 8 trims | $26,995 to $34,995 base price by trim, 7 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl, 186–227 hp 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 186–227 hp | 2.5L 4-cyl, 162–180 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 162–180 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 25–27 mpg | 26–36 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | 20.2 cu ft | 18.6–20 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 45.2 cu ft | 50.6–54.9 cu ft |
| Max towing | — | 1,500–3,500 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 4 | 0 · 8 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| CX-30 2.5 S lowest price, $26,375 | CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus highest price, $37,900 | Crosstrek Base lowest price, $26,995 | Crosstrek Limited Hybrid highest price, $34,995 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Wired only | Standard | Wired only | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | — | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | — | Optional |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Optional |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | Standard | — | — |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (CX-30, Crosstrek).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Mazda CX-30
7 manufacturer programs on file: 3 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Special Service Program (SSP) to extend the warranty coverage for a specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat in the coolant control valve on certain CX-5, Mazda3, CX-3, Mazda6 and CX-30… (SSPD8, 2020–2023 models)
- Extended coverage For all Mazda dealers, an FAQ document for this Class Action Settlement and all documents for SSPD5 will be available on Mazda Global Service Support (MGSS) on or before May 13, 2024 concurrent with notification to the Settlement Class. (SSPD5, 2021–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. (CSP12, 2020 models)
Subaru Crosstrek
7 manufacturer programs on file: 5 extended coverage, 2 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension. (2017–2020 models)
- Extended coverage As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing a Warranty Extension of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Infotainment head units for the models listed. (2021–2023 models)
- Extended coverage Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years. (09-129-24, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage This letter provides information regarding the warranty extension for the Telematics Data Communications Module (DCM). (2017–2018 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2020, 2022–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: CX-30 2025; Crosstrek 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the CX-30, from $26,375 against $26,995. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Crosstrek at 36 mpg (CX-30: 27), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.