2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Mazda CX-30

Design and Style

Redesigned for 2024, the Subaru Crosstrek has rugged styling with practical and durable features that are ready for your weekend and vacation adventures on any kind of terrain. The Crosstrek is available in Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims, along with the all-new Wilderness trim that elevates its off-road capability with a higher ride height, all-terrain tires, and additional protective body panels. The Base trim features LED steering-responsive headlights, daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a rear roof spoiler. Higher-spec models offer LED fog lights, 18-inch wheels, mirrors with integrated turn signals, and roof rails. The Wilderness trim has unique hexagonal LED fog lights and matte black 17-inch wheels. The CX-30 displays Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy, creating fluidity and motion even when the car is stationary. It’s available in 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select Sport, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 Turbo Premium, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim levels, each of which blends elegance with a sporty character. Standard exterior features for the 2.5 S trim include LED headlights and taillights, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and power mirrors. Moving up the model line gets you features such as rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch wheels, roof rails, a moonroof, a power liftgate, and heated mirrors with turn signals.

Performance and Capabilities

The Crosstrek comes standard with the Subaru symmetrical all-wheel-drive system for superb off-road capability. Under the Base and Premium hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The other trims get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission. As well as providing confident handling on the trails and in poor weather conditions, the Crosstrek offers a comfortable ride on the highway. The suspension irons out bumps and imperfections on the road. With the base engine, you’ll get up to 27 mpg around town and 34 mpg on the highway. The bigger engine returns up to 27 mpg and 33 mpg for city and highway driving. The base engine for the Mazda CX-30 is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Turbo models feature a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. With 93 octane gasoline, the output increases to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission delivers power to the standard all-wheel-drive system. Mazda cars are renowned for their sporty handling, and the CX-30 is no exception. It offers a refined ride on the open road, and the suspension easily absorbs surface impacts. On the winding back roads, the sharp steering and vehicle dynamics give you a thrilling driving experience. The base engine returns up to 26 mpg and 33 mpg for city and highway driving, while the figures for the turbo are 22 mpg and 30 mpg, respectively.

Interior Comfort and Technology

In the Crosstrek’s spacious cabin, the sleek, modern lines reflect the ruggedness and practicality of the exterior. You get up to 20 cubic feet of cargo space along with roomy seating for five. Lowering the rear seats gives you a cargo area of 54.7 cubic feet. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control maintains a comfortable temperature for everyone. The Base model has an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a four-speaker sound system with satellite radio. The Premium trim adds an 11-inch touch screen, Wi-Fi capability, and six-speaker audio with HD Radio. The CX-30’s cabin has an upscale feel and offers five-person comfortable seating. Behind the rear seats is 20.2 cubic feet of storage, while folding the rear seats results in 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space. All but the base 2.5 S trim feature dual-zone automatic temperature control. In the 2.5 S trim, the Mazda Connect infotainment system has an 8.8-inch central display, a multifunction commander control, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration, and a six-speaker audio system. Available amenities include a 10.25-inch display, an eight- or 12-speaker sound system, and satellite and HD Radio.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2024 Crosstrek comes with the Subaru EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies as standard. This includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane departure alert, lane-keeping assist, sway warning, automatic emergency steering, and pre-collision braking. The two top trims add blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic reverse braking. The 2024 CX-30 offers standard radar cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention alert. You’ll find a surround-view monitor and traffic sign recognition on higher trims.

Pricing and Value

Both the Crosstrek and CX-30 represent good value for money. The starting MSRP for each 2024 Crosstrek trim is:

• Base: $25,195.
• Premium: $26,345.
• Sport: $29,195.
• Limited: $31,095.
• Wilderness: $32,195.

For the 2024 CX-30, the starting MSRP for each trim is:

• 2.5 S: $24,995.
• 2.5 S Select Sport: $26,500.
• 2.5 S Preferred: $28,790.
• 2.5 S Carbon Edition: $29,790.
• 2.5 S Premium: $31,990.
• 2.5 Carbon Turbo: $32,790.
• 2.5 Turbo Premium: $34,990.
• 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: $36,800.

Consumer Reports says that these compact SUVs offer higher-than-average reliability among new cars. According to Subaru, 97% of the Crosstreks sold in the last 10 years are still on the road. Because of their reliability and popularity, both the Crosstrek and CX-30 should prove to be good investments and hold their value better than other vehicles in their class.

2024 Crosstrek vs. CX-30: Which Compact SUV Is for You?

The Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30 are pretty closely matched. The Crosstrek will appeal to adventure-spirited drivers, while the CX-30 has an elegant yet sporty character. Contact us today at Hiley Subaru of Fort Worth, Texas, to schedule a test drive of the 2024 Crosstrek to help you make an informed decision.