2026–27 Mazda CX-30 vs Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the CX-30 — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (61.6% vs 56%) and more available power (250 hp vs 194 hp). Choose the Crosstrek if fuel economy comes first (29 mpg vs 27 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: CX-30 2.5 pts · Crosstrek 1.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 CX-30 | 2027 Crosstrek | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $26,375 | $26,995 | Tie |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 61.6% | 56% | CX-30 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 27 mpg | 29 mpg | Crosstrek |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 250 hp | 194 hp | CX-30 |
| Max towing (1) | — | 3,500 lb | No data |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 23.3 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 6.2% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 2 | No data |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 1.5 | CX-30 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Crosstrek — 29 mpg vs 27 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — CX-30 5 vs Crosstrek 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: it's a wash — CX-30 $26,375 vs Crosstrek $26,995 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the CX-30 — 61.6% vs 56% (5-year value retained).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The CX-30 starts at $26,375 and tops out at $37,900; the Crosstrek runs $26,995 to $35,995 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified CX-30 buyers paid a median 6.2% off MSRP across 31 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.9% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- CX-30: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Crosstrek: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: CX-30 2023 (solid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 CX-30 | 2027 Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $26,375 | $26,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $37,900 | $35,995 |
| Horsepower | 186–250 hp | 180–194 hp |
| Max torque | 320 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 25–27 mpg | 26–29 mpg |
| Max towing | — | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 23.3 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) CX-30 lists for a median $19,727 — 61.6% of today's median new price of $32,016. A 5-year-old (2021) Crosstrek lists for a median $21,004 — 56% of today's median new price of $37,484.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Mazda CX-30s for sale →
- See 18,440 new 2027 Subaru Crosstreks for sale →Median listed price $33,836 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Mazda CX-30
More on the Subaru Crosstrek
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the CX-30 better than the Crosstrek?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the CX-30 — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (61.6% vs 56%) and more available power (250 hp vs 194 hp). Choose the Crosstrek if fuel economy comes first (29 mpg vs 27 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the CX-30 or the Crosstrek?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the CX-30 or the Crosstrek?
The CX-30: a 5-year-old example lists for 61.6% of the new price, versus 56% for the Crosstrek, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the CX-30 or the Crosstrek?
They start within 3% of each other: $26,375 vs $26,995.
Which has better gas mileage, the CX-30 or the Crosstrek?
The Crosstrek: up to 29 mpg combined vs 27 mpg for the CX-30 (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Mazda CX-30 vs Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/mazda-cx-30-vs-subaru-crosstrek, updated November 8, 2026.