I’ve owned my Mazda CX-30 for 10 months now and I love it. It’s so simple and well built whilst still being affordable and reliable. I have the 2.5L N/A car with AWD and it isn’t the quickest thing but it is more than adequate unless you’re quickly trying to merge. I plan on keeping this car for 8 years or more and I think it’s going to be a reliable safe and fun daily driver.
I had mine for 14 months. Very fun little car and it is very practical. The awd and extra ground clearance is very useful when driving in snow. Sure it's not a wrangler or a bronco but the cx-30 will outhandle those in regular driving
Does that poorly designed cladding ever feel right? It's honestly not terrible but there are some very specific things that leave a bad taste in my mouth, otherwise I would've bought one 3 months ago
Ever since I visited Mazda's factory in Hiroshima in 2019, I fell in love with the CX-30. A year later, I got one, and it's the best daily driver I've ever had.
It’s built in Japan and assembled in Mexico and they built a magnificent new facility there and have the Japanese trane them and are building a high quality automobile!!!
I recently bought a 2022 Crosstrek Sport. I love the bigger 2.5L engine as it provides plenty of power, and the CVT is fine to me. I did look into the cx-30 Turbo, but since I live in snow country, the added ground clearance plus the proven awd system of Subaru pushed me to the Crosstrek. My huge turnoff on the Honda was the lack of power, so that quickly dropped out of the running for me, as I was trading in an older WRX.
I got the same model, 22 Crosstek Sport, it’s definitely not a sports car, but it perfect everyday driver for my myself, my wife and hauling dogs and groceries. It’s great for long trips and fast enough for interstate passing.
I've been more than happy with my 2022 CX-30 Carbon Edition (after a few more cosmetic black-out mods), which isn't a turbo trim. The Mazda CX-30 is the best vehicle in this size/price segment IMO.
Nice comprehensive overview of these 4 vehicles, I really appreciate the amount of time and thoroughness you devote to such comparisons, Tyler. Cheers~
After shopping around back in early February for a small crossover, I went with a 2022 Mazda CX-30 Carbon-Edition (w/black wheels & side mirrors). No complaints here, but I did have to black out (using black satin vinyl) the front/side chrome trim, silver roof rails, roof area between the rails & triangular recessed license area on hatch to make the vehicle's generically-uniform black cladding & bumper look like a more natural/integrated part of the vehicle. Night & day aesthetics difference after doing that.
I bought the 6 speed Crosstrek to live in and I keep second guessing my decision. There still doesn’t seem to be much competition considering what it can do. I wanted the reliability and more fun of the manual transmission so it was basically the only option there. Also, it has a tow rating and I have a small trailer to tow. The AWD system and ground clearance was really important since I have a tendency to drive around on forest service roads a lot and encounter snow in the mountains. MPGs are also way higher than the rating. I get 35-37 on the highway. No idea around town since I don’t do that. FYI, to solve the rev hang problem, you have to completely let up on the gas before pushing the clutch in. It’s just a timing thing and very annoying but you can deal with it.
@@alyssamartinez4412 as someone with the 6mt the second guessing is the transmission. I love the Crosstrek but i think it would be a lot better with the CVT unfortunately 😅
FINALLY! have been waiting for a comparison like this one for ages! I already have my Crosstrek and wouldn´t trade if for any other but wondered how it would fare against all these new options. Glad it is still very competitive. Keep the good work man, too bad you couldn´t include the Seltos or Corolla Cross, but I love your care reviews and this is still an amazing test
Crosstrek and HRV. Lots of noise, no speed. No thanks. Buzzbombs. Can’t be fun to drive if it doesn’t go fast. 5.9 vs 9.0 to 60. Not in the same universe as the CX-30. Mazda wins this by 31 lengths.
@@sandsmarc not everything is about raw speed, the Mazda is fun for sure, I know I have driven it and had a CX-5 before, but this CX-30 becomes a joke with a smaller rear seat than a Mazda 2 and roadster-sized windows that give me claustrophobia... other than that, I love it, design is really pretty and well, japanese build quality. But for me, a six speed stick shift, the better AWD system AND More ground clearance become joyful driving over just acceleration numbers any day of the week 🙂
Victor Teran This might be true if the acceleration numbers were fairly close. But 9 seconds vs 5.8 seconds isn’t even the same universe of performance. Plus, the Mazda power curve is low in the revs so you don’t have to beg the engine for passing power. It’s just there, and there is no perceptible turbo lag. A car with a pig slow engine cannot be very fun to drive. It just can’t. The ability to accelerate is at least 1/2 of the equation. And the CX-30 is in another league than these other pigs, especially the Subaru and the Honda. I won’t even get into the luxury of the CX-30 including heads up driving display, rain sensing wipers, the flat out amazing 12 speaker Bose sound system with Centerpoint control, the adaptive LED headlights that literally turn in the direction you are driving, and much, much more. Plus the thing corners amazingly for the segment with fantastic steering feel. No comparison really. Which explains why the reviewer said he liked it best personally. The Mazda also just looks way better.
Passed on all of these and got the 2022 Kona Limited AWD and love it. Tech loaded, quick, nice Harmon Cardon sound system and comfy ride. Great bang for the buck.
I like the Kona, and for normal driving the turbo is great. The DCT is not really well suited for off-roading though. Not sure how it would do in snow.
@@edsmith9855 it's fine on non-paved country roads wet or dry not necessarily serious off-roading. I wouldn't take it into the outback. And I've had it in the snow and ice once and it did exceptionally well even with regular street tires. In the city it's a champ!!!
I have my Honda HRV for few days now .. Frankly I really like it ... I even drive it on econ as most road speed is 50K around here ... on high way I had no issue so far but you meed to switch to normal mode.. love the car so far ...
I actually just got the Honda HRV Sport and I agree, I absolutely love the car. It's a ton of fun to drive, but when I was driving on highways I noticed how sluggish it felt at times. Before I got the HRV I had a MINI Cooper S Countryman, and that little car had a surprising amount of power to it. Aside from that, I'm absolutely loving the HRV. I think my only other complaint is that when driving for long periods of time, the seats felt a bit uncomfortable but I still have less than 1000 miles on it so I guess we'll just have to wait and see if they break in at all lol
i can't say much about the others but I am in love with my mazda cx-30. There was no break in, the 1st time I drove it, i know we are meant to be together. My only complain is that since i bought it 2nd hand from a dealership, so i wouldn't know what else the previous owner/s did but I do not have access to the heated seats buttons and the buttons where you can set your seats for the driver and the passenger. but all in all, i love the suspension and the acceleration
Your bit about the throttle response on the vw was hilarious and spot on. We currently have a Tiguan and keep it in sport mode pretty much all the time.
I have the upgraded engine in my Crosstrek, the base engine was super sluggish even unloaded but with mine I fill it up four people and camping supplies for all of us and it feels great even driving up the mountains
I was going to buy the HR-V, but the dealer wanted 3 percent more for cash ! I found another, much more reputable dealer and bought a 3 year old, certified CR-V All wheel drive with 15,900 miles for the same money and I'm not driving a matchbox toy. Love my CR-V !
Thanks for being honest about your height in your videos. Head room is a significant concern for me and I've watched numerous car reviewers say "I'm about 6' tall and look at how spacious this car is." I suppose they're legally okay claiming 5'6" is about 6', but it's a little shady. When I was looking for a new compact car, there was a trip to a dealership that didn't work out (Toyota) because the roof turned out to be lower in person than it appeared in an about 6 footer's car review. For those with similar needs, the Honda Civic has the most headroom - FYI.
I went with a 6MT Crosstrek cause, well... it's the only one available with a stick, lol. AWD and good ground clearance is important where I live too. It is a little slow, but it's good enough. And, despite what the sticker MPG rating is, I have been getting low 30mpgs on longer highway trips. Put a Nameless axle-back exhaust on it and it is a sweet car.
I also went with the 6MT Crosstrek for the same reason, small crossover/hatchback + MT + Longitudinal boxer engine + rally-like 50/50 symetrical AWD + 8.7 inches of ground clearance + great visibility + japanese-built reliability... to me nothing in this segment and in many others beats that, perfect swiss army knife car!!! takes a while to learn how to drive smoothly and infotainment I rather just use my cellphone, but I dont care much about that. I wonder about the Nameless exhaust since I heard of it being done but thought it was a trivial raceboy add-on. Is it THAT good?
@@victorteran9766 I got the Nameless Executive Axle-back. I like it. It's got a nice tone without being really loud. The MBRP exhaust on my Fiesta ST was obnoxious and drone-y, but the Nameless Executive just adds that nice bit of tone/noise. And yeah, lack of infotainment is a non-issue for me. It's got Android Auto and that's perfectly enough. And I'm glad there is no Eye-Sight system too with a manual transmission.
I was set on getting a Crosstrek as my family’s next car, especially since I pushed my father towards one around 3 or 4 years ago. Then I came across the CX-30. The design, styling (well, maybe not the cladding), driving experience,and power sold me. I’ve had my all black, turbo model for 3 months and am very happy with it.
The CX-30 turbo is a great package. It was also a great value when you could actually buy one for 30K. It has gotten quite pricy now though. The cheapest I have seen them listed in my area is mid 30s now. Of course a Crosstrek with the 2.5L (Sport or Limited) is close to 30K, so it is all relative I guess.
@@edsmith9855 what are you talking about? MSRP for cx-30 base is 23k and 2024 Crosstrek is $25k. I really hope you're not allowing yourself to get ripped off by insanely greedy dealerships over charging. Just order directly from factory.
Just bought a 2023 CX-30 2.5S for my wife. Love it. Plenty of power and great gas mileage. Have been getting 38 on the interstate driving 70 - 75 mph. We have taken 2 long trips. We have plenty of room for a cooler in the back and our 2 suitcases. We also have a 2018 Subaru Forster, which we love. Only thing I don't like is the $90.00 oil and filter change from my Subaru dealer. Started taking it to a local mechanic who does an oil and filter plus tire rotation for $55.00,
I bought the taos a couple days ago, and jerky transmission is an understatement. I find myself trying to "relearn" how to drive to try and mitigate it, to no avail. I do love it though, ultimately.
Passing power with a relaxed feel: what a great way to describe Mazda’s 2.5L skyactiv g turbo engine. I have this engine in my CX-50 and from day one I loved the feeling of not having to rev the crap out of the engine. I think it has a good sound, too. Doesn’t sound stressed out like economy engines do.
Been looking for a comparison like this! Thank you! Currently have a cx 30, but the new hrv looks so nice from the outside, but the mazda interior is so nice, idk what to do 😅
Exactly. Video lost all credibility due to this. Faulting the Crosstrek on "cheap interior" and commenting how slow it was...but then compare it to the high trim Mazda with upgraded turbo engine...makes no sense.
@@jakef2518 I talked about the 2.5 and showed primarily the limited trim model (the car I reviewed in 2021). It's cheap feeling either way and I showed this, but I can tell you just want to hate so go ahead, I guess that helps me with the algorithm too.
I went to test drive all of them (2024). I immediately fell in love with the HR-V, but the love faded with the slow acceleration and lack of cup holders, vents and usb ports for rear seats (most of these are present on the competition). Mazda CX-30 feels luxurious inside and has a 360° camera (some trims), but the trunk is too small. Subaru was the cheapest feeling among them, although the AWD is really the best in the segment (go to choice if you drive offroad). Ended up getting the Taos because it felt luxurious enough, fast enough, big enough and the panoramic sunroof, although I am concerned about reliability.
You always do good work, but this was an especially well-done video. In particular I thought your script was tight with loads of good & useful information. Good job.
Having many many years of Subaru ownership under my belt I can tell you IMHO the Subaru will outlast anything that is turbo charged by a long ways if you keep vehicles for a long time. Yes, I've owned turbo charged vehicles. It's just an opinion. Buy what you like and drive it like you stole it.
i live in Europe. Here we have different Honda HR-V and i never driven one. Personally i have two of tested cars - CX-30 and Subaru XV (crosstrek but a bit different). IMO, crosstrek is a better car. It rides better, it's build better, it's much more confortable, it's more specious. I can't also agree on build materials quality. The plastics are much better then CX-30's. Botho of my cars are AWD but Mazda have the tendency to understeer and subaru behave like it's glued to the ground. Very fun car to drive. Here in europe we also have VW T-roc which is about same size as CX-30 and i've tested it. Do not offer most of the tech of mazda and it seems very cheap inside. Really poor car. TEOS seems very similar.
The aftermarket support for the Crosstrek is something the others can't touch. For my Crosstrek I can find winchmounts, armor, rear diff-locker, suspensions, hitches, AT/MT tires, a turbo kit, etc. What kind of aftermarket goodies do the others have available? The Crosstrek easily exceeds EPA hwy MPG ratings too. Just set the cruise around the limit and stay in a middle lane.
@@edison7139 extended warranty senior claims administrator for the last decade. Subaru’s have multiple problems across their lineup. Most common issue is valve body which required a cvt replacement. Subaru leads the industry in post-factory warranty cvt claims.
CX-30 - so average fuel efficiency, average trunk space, non intuitively configured radio,shoulder pinching seats, and limited head room in backseat. I love it!
I bought a 2022 crosstrek 6mt. I like the little car. Rides nice, great Mpg. I'm not selling or trading this car, I'll keep it as long as I can. I already did a fluid film treatment to keep the rust away. I like that Subaru offers a manual even if it's not the most powerful. Potential repair costs of the CVT is a deal breaker for me. The manual is perfect
@@headreddedstepchild6177 it is a product sold in retail autoparts stores or amazon, it's a viscous lanolin based product that you spray in rust prone areas. if you live in the northern climates it's necessary if you dont want a rolling tetanus shot. $45 per gallon, and a gallon is about what you use on a car. you apply with a gun and a compressor, or airless sprayer.
@@headreddedstepchild6177 Fluid film is only for the underbody, I'd do a little research on it to understand it but I use it because my welder told me that it is much better to regularly use fluid film on my toyota tacoma's rusty frame than seal it at ziebart. Paint protection tackles a different issue than fluid film.
Subaru all day long! Built the toughest and most competent for this segment in the segments true sense not to mention thousands cheaper than the rest as well as exceptional resale value. Also more rugged looking. I will say that the Mazda is the best looking and has the best interior. But if you use the vehicle for actual utility purposes I question how long the Mazda’s posh would hold up relative to the Subaru.
Great review. The Taos would be the best for me. I must admit it is difficult to see the complaint for 0 to 60 mph when gas prices have been so high for so long. Manufacturers are getting hammered by municipalities and consumers for better MPG NOT MPH. CVT transmission are only there to help with mpg. I have a 2021 Subaru ascent and 2 VW Atlas. I have heard the remarks of a CVT. I must tell you, the Ascent is amazing quick. Still burns alot of gas if that is what you want. If you drive normally, good on gas. Great comparison.
HRV reasonable price in the US. In Canada it is hitting compact SUV prices. Mazda or Crosstrek should outsell it just based on overinflated pricing north of the border.
Comparison reviews are great, I really enjoy them. It would have been nice to see the Seltos and Kona included. Maybe when you are able to get the Corolla cross you can include the others.
Subaru has a much better road presence, very rugged looking and segment leading ground clearance. The mazda is a nice package, but I just don't like the looks of it.
Thank you for this great wide ranging review. Very helpful. Would LOVE to see an expanded version bringing in the Seltos, Kona, Bronco Sport (slightly different class? tho I love the look), Niro and Corolla Cross.
ordered a 23 hrv exl white. should come in soon! i'm still in college and only use my car to commute and rarely get on the highway but i live in indiana so i really need that awd in the winter because my accord isn't the best in the snow and ice. i test drove the 22 and did not like it but later test drove the 23 and it is definitely better. the interior is super nice and the technology sold me!
As far as picking up speed, are you wanting a race car or what? I dont care if it's fun to drive, I only care that it's comfortable to drive and great on gas. The Crosstrek offers both.
I've been wanting a Crosstrek since they came out, but I hear such great stuff about Mazda Cx-30, but I'm not crazy about Mazda style. Our local Mazda dealer is great, and the Subaru dealer is the biggest crook ever.
I was just in a car crash last week. I am debating between Honda and the Taos. Ironically, the rental car I go it the full loaded 2022 SEL Taos and I am leaning towards the Taos! I actually had a Hyundai Kona- I loved it at first.:: but it was way too small in the back, and it felt like I was constantly dragging a heavy load when I was driving. I want something like and pep in my step like the VW taos
Hondas CVT works very well, and I have to say I very much do appreciate getting 42 mpg in my civic… however… I find the transmission to be somewhat unpredictable. Sometimes I get so much weird torque. Also when you floor it, it takes like 1-2 seconds to actually respond… which is just unacceptable in some instances. I was merging out of a slow lane on the freeway and I had to use a significant amount of throttle to speed up. well, my car just did not respond after I merged out for almost 3 seconds and I cut someone off… badly… made me realize it’s fatal flaw. I seriously almost got rear ended because the CVT could not accelerate on time.
I’ve not found a cvt that operates quickly. Even the cvt in the Nissan Maxima hesitates but is then followed by a massive rush of power due its large V6 engine. Subaru has one of the worst cvt’s in this aspect. Honda and Toyota make the best cvt’s so you choose well.
This is true but that's really just an east or west coast thing. They don't sell them in most of the US so I didn't bother to bring it up in this test (I talk about it in my other Crosstrek videos).
@@haroldbeauchamp3770 I agree. People like to claim crossovers are nothing more than raised station wagons. They don’t resemble anything like a station wagon. I agree that the Impreza looks like a station wagon. Thanks for the comment.
Cx30 hands down , just so much better overall design , quality , drivetrain , audio system ... iAWD is awesome with it's predictability logic over more conventional Subbie that wants to show off how to get you out of stuck situations 😉 I will much rather not get stuck in a first place , that is here Mazdas latest iAWD wins for me , combined with better handling it makes the car more controllable and surefooted on road where I and 99% of the folks spend their driving time . Sorry but nothing with CVT would ever get my consideration knowing 3 people who had their CVT in Subbie poop out , every time i get CVT to drive from car rental it always feels sooo cheap and cheesy ...
It's fucking hillarious because the Subaru isn't an SUV at all. It's literally a lilfted Impreza with extra trunk space (and a 2.5L engine if you buy the sport package.)
@@gelatinous6915 Not true, same platforms, different suspension with a similar gain in weight. The subaru just didn't change the cabin or roofline like most others.
My new Limited Crosstrek 2023 is a SUV...Super Underrated Vehicle/ We got two..2017 Impreza premium 4 door and the Impreza on Steroids...2023 has 2.5 engine and 2017 2.0 Engine..both Super with no complaints. I test drove a Crosstrek 2023 with 2.0 engine I thought it was like coffee that was slightly weak. Happy I went with the bigger engine.. very happy.
Great content! Very informative. Just got out of a week with the new Corolla Cross. Probably a little better drive train experience than Honda or Subaru but handling and interior noise probably inferior. The Corolla Cross has a fairly tight rear seat compared to the HR-V. But I think the Corolla cross competes very well with this group and is fairly lively and nimble in urban environments. If you did have a Corolla Cross I am thinking it would have been a nudge under the HR-V. But the price of the decently equipped LE AWD Cross is about 26k. So a great value. If you can find one.
Thank you, the corolla cross is definitely a nice, well-rounded addition to the class. I made a review on it awhile ago but I quite literally haven't gotten to see any more of them come into the toyota dealer in town!
Still dont understand the Mazda infotainment system. Trying to manipulate a wheel with little buttons on the side that is way down on the console is supposed to be safer than a touch screen? I dont think so! Beyond that is the fact that Android Auto (an essential feature IMO) is *designed* for use with a touch screen. Even Mazda is allowing touch with Android Auto activated in some of their newer and higher trim levels. Hopefully this will filter down to the rest of the line up soon. Your comparison is also somewhat apples to oranges. If you are going to test the Mazda turbo, you could have at least tested the Crosstrek with the 2.5L engine.
Do you look at the controller while playing a video game? Same idea, it's easy to use in motion. I'm just one person in a severe car shortage, I've driven the 2.5 and used shots of the limited for this video but I can't source the exact car I want for each video, especially when it's a comparison!
@@Realistick Actually, I *do* look at the controller when I play video games (I play mostly with a mouse and keyboard). Not really the point though. The preponderance of reviews I have seen is ambivalent or outright critical of the Mazda infotainment system. The fact that they are allowing at least some touch screen functionality (with Android Auto) on some newer models is telling.
@@edsmith9855 if that's how you use a game controller, this all makes sense😂 and it's because it's oversimplified (it does need some improvement) and most reviewers just want more and more tech. The mazda takes a different approach, it won't be appreciated by everyone but it's definitely the less distracting way to use an infotainment system for me. What should be telling about the touch screen functionality is that it only allows touch WHEN NOT IN MOTION. This is all subjective but the point of car reviews is to share individual perspective, not regurgitate other's opinions.
@@Realistick Everybody is entitled to their opinion. If the Mazda system works for you, great. Consumer reports in their test of the CX-50 is very critical of it.
Headroom and legroom has always been Mazda's Achilles Heel. However, when it comes to pure driving experience and relative luxury, it shines over others in its class.
Considering the HR-V's power deficit (exacerbated by the CVT) and its relatively-poor AWD system, I'd order one with the 110-pound-lighter FWD (improving performance while saving $1,500).
CX30 is not independent suspension, is Torsion Beam Rear, so for similar price, no thank you, ride is very harsh. VW has the best driving dynamics since is German, but has reliability issues. Honda looks ugly AF, enough said, lol. Have test drove all of them except for Honda. Subaru has best AWD, but inside might be a bit outdated. Ended up picking Subaru.
I got a 21 6mt base… 0-60 aint bad tbh, that and it definetly handles well i must admit i have a habit of driving it harder that most would on some not so straight roads
Its not overpriced the Taos have a dsg and haldex. The Mazda have a slowmatic and a kind of pseudo awd.The vw have more tech and innovation.The Hrv are overpriced with is cvt and 138lbs-torque.
Please stop pushing turbo charged engines. Turbos are expensive to repair. Get a naturally aspirated engine. Why pay extra for technology that will fail and burn oil.
I bought a Vw Taos SE fwd with the drivers assist and convenience pack for right at 30k and certainly agree on the pricing is a little crazy, but the biggest reason I bought it the mpg, our record with the brand has been very reliable, the power is very plentiful for my 65 mile daily commute which is over 30k miles a year for me and included maintenance for 20k miles. My coworker is a Mazda fanboy and has a cx-30 2.5 it feels good, but I did not like the high window seal and big dash felt like I was in a hole, plus its discontinued after this year. I would have been ok with a Crosstrek 2.5 but do not like the cvt, the hit or miss reliability with oil burning and head gaskets, and no lumbar. The HR-V was a miss to me to be able to put the 1.5T in it would have been perfect, bad mpg with fwd or awd, SSSLLLOOOWW for the class, plus no lumbar big miss, a cvt yuck. The Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos/Soul are truly unknown for good reliability between the engines and transmissions, and not so great mpg for the turbo. I bought a '22 Elantra before the Taos as it was the only thing I could find at the time and at msrp, it didn't do much more than the taos for mpg, road noise was horrendous, was to low to the ground fell in and climbed out, and was to light for highway use as I got blown around everyday so it got traded after 5 mo and 10k miles for the price I paid.
I own a cx-30 too and love it. But i don't think it's being discontinued i believe you mistaken it for the tiny mazda cx-3 based on the mazda 2 platform which is actually already discontinued.
Are CVTs more reliable now? I know early Subaru cvt weren’t that great in terms of durability and longevity. A lot went bad and that’s like a $7-8k in replacement and repair. That’s what’s holding me back from getting a crosstrek cvt.
I think you made a mistake and you 0 to 60 you said 8.6 seconds on the cx-30 2.5 standard engine I think the time was 7.6 seconds not 8.6 that you said
Take another 2K in price off for the Crosstrek manual transmission that to be fair 90% of the population can’t drive these days, and to me clear winner…. Off road capable, stylish, lifted with ground clearance and full AWD, good Japanese made longevity and resale value, no brainer…. My base manual transmission order came in at 25k Canadian, or about 21-22K US for a full compact SUV, hopefully it arrives soon🤞
@@sunset3052 Enjoy, I’m picking mine up this Thursday. I believe the two base models are still made in Japan, and the top two models are US made…. I’m happy with the base there’s nothing I need higher up the chain.
The 2020 CX-30's (2.5 L AWD) front differential, has a major problem. The fill plug has a metal bracket that partially covers it. You cannot remove the plug as it is. Could you make a video that would show how to move the differential enough that drivers could do a fluid change? Mazda fixed the problem on the 2021 and newer CX-30's. Maybe it would be possible to swap a older bracket with a newer one? So far Mazda has blown me off for any kind of a fix. The dealerships have told me that the differential is "unserviceable". Thanks
