[Scythe]

I recommend water on the side, and plenty of BBQ sauce.

 

[2021plasmayellow]

Ok, still a bit fishy to me (this person didn’t even acknowledge what anyone said?). But I’ll yield for peace.

 

[sonicfox]

I'm a new owner of a 2021 Limited, but I had also considered the Mazda CX-30. I drove both of them back to back. They both offered a very smooth ride with plenty of power. The CX-30's seats were more comfortable and had a quieter cabin, but the the Crosstrek rode a bit softer. When deciding between the two, it came down to what made more sense for me personally. First of all, I felt more confident driving the Crosstrek because visibility was definitely better than the CX-30. Also, with it's larger fuel tank and better fuel economy, there will be less trips to the gas pump. The CX-30 had a couple more convenience features like rain sensing windshield wipers and an electronic parking brake (with auto hold). However, it didn't have heated side mirrors like the Crosstrek. For me, heated mirrors were more important.

As for the looks of both vehicles, it's subjective of course. However, the Crosstrek seemed better put together. The black cladding on the CX-30 I drove sort of puffed out more on one side of the car than on the other. The plastic used just seemed cheap too.

I also considered long term reliability as well since I plan to keep the car for as long as it lasts. I feel that both engines will be reliable, but you always hear more about the problems with CVTs. I decided I would just buy the extended warranty on the Crosstrek. I think I will be happier owning and driving it in the long run as opposed to the Mazda. It seems like the people who pick the CX-30 over the Crosstrek is because they have only driven the "slow" Crosstrek with the traditional engine to compare it to, or they think it's more "premium" and stylish. Perhaps, I would have chosen the CX-30 too had I not driven the 2021 Limited with the more powerful engine. As for styling, I actually prefer the looks of the Crosstrek better. For some reason, I think I'd get sick of the Mazda's looks after awhile. Now, if the Crosstrek had the Mazda seats and the quieter cabin, it would be perfect!

 

[Raleighmclemore]

what’s peoples fascination with performance numbers?

I don’t understand it & I’m even a car guy

Do you all drag race soccer moms stop light to stop light street outlaws style on your daily commutes? pretend your Ken Block & shooting a gymkhana video in the office parking garage? or playing Ironman Stewart racing the Baja 1000 down a dark & lonesome gravel road?



I swear I will never race for pink slips again as the last top fuel dragster I challenged just beat me (at the 1,000 foot mark...maybe I could have pulled it out had I lowered the drivers seat and crouched and if we had gone entire the quarter mile!) with a 3.623 elapsed time at 338.17mph.
My Crosstrek came on the cam and hit its stride but I think I had the dirty side of the track so I was a little behind with a 16.9 at 83 mph. It was close and I had to give up the Subaru but I bought a used Funny Car (it has fenders and pretend lights) so now I can go to the 7-11 in about 2 1/2 seconds but it takes a bit of time pull pedestrians off of the hood, rebuild the engine and pack the chute.

I found the Mazda much nicer inside but the rear seat seemed intolerable for old folks my size when the 18 year old grand daughter demands to show me her driving skills while the Crosstrek is pretty ok for me sitting in back. The Subaru offered Traffic Cone Orange so there was that too.

 

[sonicfox]

To make it clear, I've never driven the Crosstrek with it's traditional 2.0L engine, so I don't know if it's "slow" or not. This is my first Subaru of any model. I don't care about power, but I do like a smooth ride, and I thought both the Limited and the CX-30 were equally smooth. I can only assume the CX-30 as compared to the 2.0L would provide a more enjoyable ride. Anyhow, the main reason I compared the two was because I wanted LED headlights which come standard in the CX-30 and is only available in the Limited trim of the Crosstrek. The 2.5L engine was just a nice bonus.

 

[MRM69]

I drove the CX-30 before buying my '21 Sport and it is a nice car, no doubt about it. There were a few reasons why I picked the Sport, some of them you touched on already. The 2.5 is really quick, with plenty of power in all the right places to get you away from other cars on the roadways if needed. The Crosstrek seemed better suited for being off-road which is better for me as an avid cyclist, primarily MTBing. The Sport interior is great for my dog and easy to clean up, and there is a ton of aftermarket support for the vehicle. The CX-30 is great looking, but was a bit too "polished" for my needs. Also, the cargo area is not as roomy on the CX-30 and the rear opening is smaller. It may have been on this site, or somewhere else on the web, but I read about a Crosstrek owner who carried a kennel in the back of their car who bought a CX-30 only to find they couldn't fit the kennel through the hatch.

Being a Mazda I'm sure it will last forever and hold up pretty well, but for me the Crosstrek Sport was just a better "do-it-all" car.

 

[Butch_Coolidge]

I’m driving my 16 Trek premium khaki, and have no problems or plans for replacement anytime soon.


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[erader]

I’m driving my 16 Trek premium khaki, and have no problems or plans for replacement anytime soon.


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i'm driving my 2016 crosstrek and I think there is a better than 50% chance i'll be buying a new crosstrek this year.

the Mazda does not have the offroad capability of the crosstrek nor the performance in snow. that's the biggest difference to me.

 

[tamanaco]

I also tested the CX-30 before buying my 2021 Limited with leather interior. The CX-30 seemed a little more "plush" while the Crosstrek was a bit "rugged"... but still elegant. One thing that bother me a lot about the CX-30 was the right side blind spot. The Limited has the blind spot warning, but I still turn my head to double-check if there's a car there. 30+ years old habit. I couldn't see much out of the right side of the CX-30. Btw, I believe a CX-30 Turbo is now available and it might make some folks look at the CX-30 in a different light.

 

[Sarang]

the Mazda does not have the offroad capability of the crosstrek nor the performance in snow.

This is the confusing part to me, like cross shopping the wrangler and the prius. Both good, but at very different things.

 

[sonicfox]

This is the confusing part to me, like cross shopping the wrangler and the prius. Both good, but at very different things.

Actually, Mazda's has a good AWD system, and the CX-30 is very capable of handing snow and some off-road conditions as well. The Crosstrek just fit my needs better.

 

[erader]

This is the confusing part to me, like cross shopping the wrangler and the prius. Both good, but at very different things.

why is it confusing? the crosstrek has almost 2" more of ground clearance and fulltime AWD

 

[Sarang]

why is it confusing? the crosstrek has almost 2" more of ground clearance and fulltime AWD

That's what I'm saying. The crosstrek is capable, the Mazda is not. The comparison between something capable and not capable is confusing.

 

[Butch_Coolidge]

i'm driving my 2016 crosstrek and I think there is a better than 50% chance i'll be buying a new crosstrek this year.

the Mazda does not have the offroad capability of the crosstrek nor the performance in snow. that's the biggest difference to me.

You can probably get good money if you decide to trade in and are somewhat aggressive. I would buy a trek again, if I was looking for a new vehicle. I keep my vehicles for over 200k, and am pleased not to have a car payment. I’m not concerned about off roads, but I’m definitely pleased with the assistance it’s provided in nasty weather.


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[erader]

You can probably get good money if you decide to trade in and are somewhat aggressive. I would buy a trek again, if I was looking for a new vehicle. I keep my vehicles for over 200k, and am pleased not to have a car payment. I’m not concerned about off roads, but I’m definitely pleased with the assistance it’s provided in nasty weather.


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I figure with 110k-115k miles I can get $10k in trade-in. if I wait a couple more years i'll be lucky if its worth half that with the miles I drive. I already made one big repair this year ($1500) that was a warning shot.

I don't have car payments or a mortgage. I don't roll that way

 

[erader]

That's what I'm saying. The crosstrek is capable, the Mazda is not. The comparison between something capable and not capable is confusing.

yeah if there's a choice then you don't need a crosstrek. I would also look at the honda HRV too if thats the case

 

[tamanaco]

My old notes on the CX-30 before I bought the Crosstrek

• Has less room in the back seats (Legroom)
• The back seats headrests get on the way when using the rear view mirror
• Four wide pillars interfere with blind spot visibility
• The front door top edge of is too high to rest your arm comfortably when the window is open
• Infotainment does not have touch screen
• Smaller gas tank if you get AWD... I believe
• Mazda's front wheel bias AWD is not as good as Subaru's symmetrical AWD
• Lower mileage per gallon

 

[dbluefish]

Unless you want an Audi, I think Subaru's AWD is among the best out there. That was why I never bothered with the CRV. A Subie is a Subie.

 

[JEH]

I haven't driven a CX-30, but it's my sense that it's the car equivalent of the beautiful girl you'd want to be seen with at the prom, but who would get tiresome afterwards. The Crosstrek isn't quite as glamorous a date, but ends up being the better lifetime companion.

Well said --- I've owned a CX 30 for about a year and a half now and like it. However, keep thinking about the Crosstrex (former owner of 2 previous Subarus).

 

[NewbieSubie1]

I haven't driven a CX-30, but it's my sense that it's the car equivalent of the beautiful girl you'd want to be seen with at the prom, but who would get tiresome afterwards. The Crosstrek isn't quite as glamorous a date, but ends up being the better lifetime companion.

My neighbour has the cx30 and while it is a beautiful interior, riding over bumps is painful. Also find the black cladding just ugly on such a sleek vehicle. The cladding on the Crosstrek is intended and plays the part of a true off roader even if lightly. Her model is the mid level trim with the upgrade package with sunroof, memory seats and leather interior. Still no proximity key. Have to fish out your keys and press a button. Have we become lazy or what?! 😂
in any case, I´m glad with my choice of a 2022 limited model. Just wish it would get here faster!