vs.
Power
MPG (combined)
Ground Clearance
Towing Capacity
Interior Space
Choosing between the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2025 Mazda CX-30 often comes down to what you value most: trail-ready capability and spaciousness (Crosstrek) or on-road punch and premium feel (CX‑30). Both are compact, all-wheel-drive crossovers with strong safety tech and everyday comfort, but they diverge in performance character, ground clearance, towing, and interior packaging.
Capability vs. sportiness: Crosstrek brings standard Symmetrical AWD, 8.7 inches of clearance (9.3 in. on Wilderness) and available dual-function X‑MODE. CX‑30 focuses on crisp handling with standard i‑ACTIV AWD and an available turbo engine that’s among the class’s quickest.
Powertrains: Crosstrek offers 152‑hp 2.0L or 182‑hp 2.5L BOXER engines. CX‑30 starts with a 191‑hp 2.5L and offers a 227‑250‑hp turbo.
Efficiency: Crosstrek tops out at an EPA‑estimated 29 mpg combined (2.0L or 2.5L non‑Wilderness). CX‑30 is 29 mpg combined with the 2.5L and 25 mpg combined with the turbo.
Space: Crosstrek provides more passenger volume (100.5 cu ft) while the CX‑30 offers a touch more cargo space behind the rear seats (20.2 cu ft vs. 19.9).
Towing: Crosstrek is rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs (Wilderness) or 1,500 lbs on other trims. Mazda states the CX‑30 is not designed for towing in the U.S.
Safety: CX‑30 earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2025; Crosstrek posts strong component scores but does not hold a 2025 award under the latest tougher IIHS criteria. Subaru cites a 5‑Star Overall NHTSA score for Crosstrek; dealers report a 5‑Star Overall for the 2025 CX‑30 as well.
The Crosstrek is about confident traction and composure on rougher roads. It uses a 152‑hp 2.0‑liter on Base and a 182‑hp 2.5‑liter on Premium, Sport, and Limited (plus unique tuning and cooling on Wilderness). A Lineartronic® CVT with simulated 8‑speed manual mode is standard, as is Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD. Dual‑function X‑MODE with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings enhances loose‑surface control; Wilderness adds more aggressive gearing and 9.3 inches of clearance.
Mazda tunes the CX‑30 for eager responses. The standard 2.5‑liter makes 191 hp and 186 lb‑ft, paired with a 6‑speed automatic and standard i‑ACTIV AWD. The available turbo transforms it: up to 250 hp and 320 lb‑ft on 93 octane (227 hp/310 lb‑ft on 87). Independent testing pegs the Turbo around 5.8 seconds 0–60 mph, making it one of the quickest small crossovers you can buy.
What that means for you
Pick Crosstrek if you want surefooted light off‑road capability, smoother ride compliance, and drivetrain features tailored for dirt, sand, and snow.
Pick CX‑30 Turbo if acceleration and a more athletic on‑road feel matter most. The naturally aspirated CX‑30 still feels lively versus most rivals.
Crosstrek (EPA est.)
2.0L: 27/34/29 mpg (city/hwy/comb)
2.5L: 26/33/29 mpg
Wilderness 2.5L: 25/29/27 mpg.
CX‑30 (EPA est.)
2.5L: 26/33/29 mpg
2.5 Turbo: 22/30/25 mpg.
If you’re comparing mainstream engines, they tie at 29 mpg combined; the Crosstrek Wilderness trades a bit of economy for added capability, while the CX‑30 Turbo trades economy for speed.
Crosstrek’s core advantage is clearance and traction management: 8.7 inches on most trims and 9.3 inches on Wilderness, plus approach/departure angles as high as 20.0°/33.0° on Wilderness. Subaru also publishes roof‑load ratings useful for rack systems (up to 700‑lb static on select trims). Towing is rated at 1,500 lbs on most trims and 3,500 lbs on Wilderness.
CX‑30 sits lower at 8.0 inches of minimum ground clearance. Mazda provides Off‑Road Traction Assist for uneven surfaces, but the brand’s U.S. owner’s manual states the CX‑30 is not designed for towing. If you need to pull a small trailer or pair the vehicle with a roof tent and heavier gear, Crosstrek is the safer fit.
Crosstrek maximizes room for people: 100.5 cu ft of passenger volume (99.0 with moonroof). Behind the rear seats you get 19.9 cu ft (20.0 in Wilderness) and up to 54.7–54.9 cu ft with seatbacks lowered. Seat comfort is strong up front with 42.9 inches of legroom; rear legroom is a usable 36.5 inches.
CX‑30 feels upscale inside with excellent materials and interface design. Measured space is tighter for passengers at 94.1 cu ft, but cargo behind the rear seats is slightly larger at 20.2 cu ft (and 45.2 cu ft seats folded). If you haul taller camping gear or passengers often, Subaru’s extra passenger volume helps; for grocery runs with the seats up, Mazda nicks a narrow win.
Every Crosstrek includes EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology with pedestrian detection. IIHS rates its pedestrian crash prevention Good and headlights Good, but under the institute’s latest tougher crash protocols, Crosstrek scores Marginal in the updated moderate overlap and Acceptable in the updated side test, so it does not appear on the 2025 award list. Subaru cites a 5‑Star Overall Vehicle Score from NHTSA for the 2025 model.
The CX‑30 comes standard with Mazda i‑ACTIVSENSE (SBS automatic emergency braking, BSM with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, lane‑keep, adaptive cruise, and more). For 2025 it earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and dealers report a 5‑Star Overall NHTSA rating for the 2025 model year as well.
Subaru lists five trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness. Subaru shows the Crosstrek as starting at $26,560 (excludes destination), while independent outlets list prices that include destination charges (e.g., Car and Driver notes an entry price of $27,980).
Mazda offers eight CX‑30 models: 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, 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Official press pricing starts at $25,195 for the base 2.5 S and $26,850 for the widely stocked 2.5 S Select Sport. The Turbo Premium Plus starts at $37,150.
Choose the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek if you want:
Standard AWD with trail-friendly tuning, class-leading ground clearance, and available X‑MODE.
More passenger space, simpler roof‑load guidance, and factory-rated towing (especially the 3,500‑lb Wilderness).
A calm, comfortable ride that still handles dirt roads and bad weather with confidence.
Choose the 2025 Mazda CX‑30 if you want:
Sportier driving dynamics and an available turbo that accelerates like a hot hatch.
A premium-feeling cabin and feature-rich trims, capped by Top Safety Pick+ recognition.
Slightly more cargo space behind the rear seats when you’re not folding them down.
Ready to compare them in person? Visit Conley Subaru in Bradenton to test‑drive the 2025 Crosstrek and see how it fits your commute, hobbies, and weekend plans. Our team can walk you through trims, accessories, and financing.
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