Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Mazda MX-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 Crosstrek Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The MX-30 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MX-30 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the MX-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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The MX-30 has not been tested, yet.

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 5 more horsepower (148 vs. 143) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 492 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The MX-30’s range is only 100 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 36 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 13 hours and 40 minutes.

For better traction, the Crosstrek Hybrid has larger tires than the MX-30 (225/55R18 vs. 215/55R18).

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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 MX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Crosstrek Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The MX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek Hybrid has a 3.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MX-30 (8.7 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 11 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MX-30 (100.8 vs. 89.8).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 6.6 inches more rear legroom, 5.5 inches more rear hip room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the MX-30.

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The MX-30 has no towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the MX-30 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Crosstrek Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MX-30 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek Hybrid’s exterior PIN entry system. The MX-30 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Mazda MX-30 by almost 479 to one during 2022.