2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Subaru Crosstrek

Mazda's CX-30 and Subaru's Crosstrek are both subcompact crossover SUVs designed to appeal to first-time car buyers. If you're interested in learning more about the differences and similarities between the 2022 Mazda CX-30 and the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek, then you've come to the right place.

Design & Style

The interior of the Mazda CX-30 is regarded as one of the best in its category, and it offers about the same amount of legroom and cargo space as its competitors. The base upholstery material is cloth, but there are several upholstering options available, including synthetic leather upholstery, genuine leather upholstery, and the option of a leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob. Other features that may be added to the interior include heated front seats, a sunroof, LED lighting, and a driver's seat that is power-adjustable in 8 different ways and has memory settings.

The interior of the Crosstrek is considered by some owners as being extremely basic, despite the fact that it is spacious and comfortable. Seats with cloth upholstery and front seats that are manually adjustable are standard; however, owners have the option of upgrading to leather upholstery, which comes with heated front seats, a power-adjustable front seat, and a power-adjustable driver's seat, in addition to a moonroof. The Mazda wins hands down because of its classier and more refined appearance all around.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2022 CX-30 a perfect score of 5 stars for its performance in all categories. The site gives it a near-perfect rating of 9.8 out of 10. The 2022 CX-30 comes standard with a system of safety features called i-Activsense, which includes adaptive cruise control collision warning, smart brakes, pedestrian recognition, full beam control, driver attentiveness alerts, and collision warning alert with lane assist.

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek achieves an excellent safety rating of 9.4 out of 10 points. According to the NHTSA, the Crosstrek has a 5-star overall score, 4-star vehicle crash rating, 5-star side collision rating, and 4-star roll rating. In conclusion, both the Crosstrek and the Mazda CX-30 are committed to safety, but the CX-30 has somewhat more safety features and competitive technology to help drivers.

Performance

The CX-30 excels in the segment of compact SUVs because of its responsive steering and well-balanced handling. While the standard engine's 186 hp leaves something to be desired, the available turbocharged 250 hp engine makes for a fun and exciting ride. The performance and handling of this car are on a level with the Mazda 3 as well as other sporty versions.

Similarly to the CX-30, the conventional 152 HP engine in the baseline model of the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek offers plenty to be desired. As a result of the suspension, the vehicle leans and sways erratically through curves. The Crosstrek's all-wheel-drive system is useful in inclement weather, and the SUV-like ride quality, fast steering, and easy agility make it a pleasant daily driver. Both vehicles have respectable SUV performance and can be fitted with more powerful engines if desired, but the CX-30 is the superior choice.

The Bottom Line

Despite having roughly comparable base costs, gas mileage, and safety and dependability ratings, the two vehicles have various advantages and disadvantages in terms of cabin comforts, safety technology, and overall performance. The Mazda CX-30 is the ideal choice if you want a compact SUV because it excels in every category, including performance, safety ratings, and interior quality.