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Mazda CX-30 vs Subaru Outback

What's the difference?

VS
Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30

$30,877 - $52,990

2023 price

Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback

$41,990 - $62,999

2023 price

Summary

2023 Mazda CX-30
2023 Subaru Outback
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Flat 4, 2.4L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
6.6L/100km (combined)

9.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Drivetrain feels old
  • Thirsty
  • Dial control no good for phone mirroring

  • Thirsty engine
  • Missing 360-degree view camera
  • Water-resistant trim on seats
2023 Mazda CX-30 Summary

Sometimes it’s good to check in on your friends.

You might not have seen them in a while, and they might not be the most recent addition to your circle, but it’s still good to see how they’re doing once in a while.

For this review, we’re checking in with the Mazda CX-30, which we loved when it first arrived, and we of course made some great memories with.

A few years have passed since, and the small SUV space in which it competes has become ever more crowded since.

The question is, should we be spending time with our old pal, the CX-30? Or, is it better spent with one of its new, trendy rivals?

We’ve grabbed a top-spec G25 Astina in front-wheel drive guise to find out.

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2023 Subaru Outback Summary

Is it a station wagon or an SUV? It's kinda both. The new Outback AWD Sport XT has the AWD capabilities of an SUV but the concise handling of a station wagon and it's a wonderful combo for a family car.

The Sport XT is one of the two models Subaru is offering with a new turbo-petrol engine (hurrah) and it sits second from the top in the line-up but how does it stack up after a week with my family of three? Check it out below.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Mazda CX-30 2023 Subaru Outback

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