Compare the2026 Mazda CX-30VS 2025 Subaru Impreza

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium has standard Rear Smart Brake Support that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has a standard 360° View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Impreza only offers a rear monitor.

The CX-30 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Impreza’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-30 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing on the Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Subaru charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Impreza and its not available on the Base and the Impreza’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the CX-30 and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	CX-30	Impreza
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	148	222
Neck Stress	216 lbs.	267 lbs.
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	99 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	201/172 lbs.	265/291 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-30 is much safer than the Impreza:

	CX-30	Impreza
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

	CX-30	Impreza
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	194
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	121	291
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	59 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	161	254
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	685 lbs.	721 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-30 is safer than the Impreza:

	CX-30	Impreza
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	89	154
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.57 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	580 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.54 in	1.61 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	144	194
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.94 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.71 in	1.73 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	379 lbs.	736 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-30 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Impreza is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

Engine

The CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (186 vs. 152) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 145) than the Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-30’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (186 vs. 182) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (250 vs. 182) and 142 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl. is faster than the Subaru Impreza 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	CX-30	Impreza
Zero to 30 MPH	3.2 sec	3.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.7 sec	9.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	84 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-30 (250 HP engine) is faster than the Impreza RS 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	CX-30	Impreza
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.7 sec	20.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.7 sec	8.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.2 sec	4.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.1 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	126 MPH	126 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-30 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Impreza doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-30 stops shorter than the Impreza:

	CX-30	Impreza
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	147 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-30 has larger tires than the Impreza (215/65R16 vs. 205/55R16).

The CX-30 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Impreza; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The CX-30 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CX-30 2.5 S Premium handles at .83 G’s, while the Impreza RS pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the CX-30 has a 2.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Impreza (8 vs. 5.1 inches), allowing the CX-30 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The CX-30 is 3.2 inches shorter than the Impreza, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire Edition has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Impreza doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Impreza doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

The CX-30’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Impreza’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the CX-30’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Impreza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-30 has a standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Impreza Sport/RS offers Keyless Entry and Start.

The CX-30’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Impreza’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Impreza’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

When the CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Impreza’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the CX-30 Turbo/Premium’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the CX-30 and the Impreza offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Impreza doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-30 and the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-30 outsold the Subaru Impreza by over three to one during 2024.

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