Compare the2023 Subaru ImprezaVS 2023 Mazda CX-30

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Impreza are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Impreza and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mazda CX-30:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Impreza, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 5.2% to 6% less likely to roll over than the CX-30, which received a four-star rating.

There are over 16 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Impreza’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Impreza has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-30’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Impreza lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The CX-30 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Impreza 5-door gets better mileage than the CX-30:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Impreza uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Impreza higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (5 to 7). This means the Impreza produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

The Impreza offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Impreza offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Impreza stops shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the Impreza Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (225/40R18 vs. 215/65R16).

The Impreza’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The Impreza Sport’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Turbo/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Impreza has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Impreza Premium/Sport/Limited has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Impreza Premium/Sport/Limited flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Impreza 2.0i Limited 5-door handles at .80 G’s, while the CX-30 Premium pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Subaru Impreza may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the Mazda CX-30.

The front grille of the Impreza Sport/Limited uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Impreza 5-door has 6.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (100.9 vs. 94.1).

The Impreza has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (20.8 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Impreza has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (55.3 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Impreza. The CX-30 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Impreza is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-30. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Impreza’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Impreza Base). The CX-30 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Impreza has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the CX-30 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Subaru Impreza comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Mazda CX-30 isn’t available as a sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mazda CX-30 isn't recommended.