‘25 Crosstrek vs Seltos vs Corolla cross vs CX-30?
Posted by DecisionExpensive219@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 26 comments
Basically, which one should i choose?
I am looking to trade in my corolla hatch in the next year so to get a jump on research, here i am. Im mainly looking for something thats a decent size, decently reliable, and generally affordable. Its alot to ask right?
Crosstrek- Visibility and size seem pretty much the strong points. I heard they are pretty reliable but ive also heard issues as well. Ive also heard that the acceleration is a little sluggish, could be wrong idk.
Seltos- Ive HEARD (dont know how they actually hold) of reliability issues but with price point, size, and styling it seems like a decent option. This was actually the first one i looked into. If anyone can talk me into the reliability portion of it, i’ll listen.
Cross- Price is great. Reliability should be great. Value could hold long term. But the size and sluggish engine concern me.
Cx-30- The engine here seems to be the best. Its relatively fast and isnt a CVT. The price is pretty good and should be reliable. However its a bit small and cramped. Dont hate me for this but i genuinely dont like how mazdas are styled lol.
Any type of feedback, correction, opinion, is greatly appreciated! This would be my first SUV so please help!
Mediocre-Jaguar-298@reddit
I had the same decision a few years ago and drove all four.
The Seltos was fine and the brand has made great improvements over the years. Despite this, I was off put from the brand. My previous car was a Kia and had non stop engine problems and Kia was a hugeeee pain to deal with so although the car was decent that alone threw me.
Cross was good value but felt like a Toyota at the end of the day. I found it incredibly unremarkable from the interior to the actual driving experience. It's a Toyota, you know what you're going to get, but it wasn't for me, but solid car overall.
Crosstrek - all my friends have Crosstreks and I think they drive well and have tons of aftermarket support. I didn't love the larger screen (relative to the mazda) and the interior was bottom two for me.
CX30 - I enjoyed the interior off the bat compared to all of them. I loved the dial and smaller infotainment screen Mazda uses. I did find the visibility not as great as the others but I live with it. Ride was comparable to Crosstrek for me. Oh and the gas tank being so small is not great for road trips!
Never got to drive the Honda due to limited availability during that time, but I'm happy with my choice so far
DecisionExpensive219@reddit (OP)
Your comment led me to the HRV!
Mediocre-Jaguar-298@reddit
Congrats !
DecisionExpensive219@reddit (OP)
All great points and responses! What did you end up getting if you dont mind?
I was also looking at the HRV, i probably should have included it in this tbh. It seems super solid overall and I might end up test driving that too.
Mediocre-Jaguar-298@reddit
I went with the CX30 back then, but if I had to choose today I'd have HRV and CX30 as my top 2.
Really depends what you value and what trim you're going for, for all of these cars. Definitely post what car you end up with though
truthcopy@reddit
We had a Crosstrek for years and generally enjoyed it. Acceleration, road noise and the infotainment system were definite downers. More for me than my wife, but it was her car, so these were on the low priority list.
When we were shopping for new earlier this year, we looked at the new Subarus and were instantly turned off by the infotainment system and the overall new interior. We also looked at the HRV and were not fans. It may have been our test vehicle, but the body roll on a highway entrance ramp felt unsafe.
We went with the CX30 and are very happy. No regrets. No buyer’s remorse. It’s the perfect fit for our needs.
Alex-Daigle@reddit
Im currently in the same situation and leaning towards a crosstrek. Found a few manual options (heard about the CVT) so seems like a fun option
Deputydogg1976@reddit
I just went through this and chose the Crosstrek. Very happy with my decision. Prior to the purchase, I was driving a Mazda 6 (which I loved). When I test drove the CX-30 (and CX-50) it was meh. None of these are bad choices though.
Thot96Mimir@reddit
I tested the Crosstek and the CX-30 and the Crosstek feels so underpowered and I went for the CX-30 Turbo. The best decision.
Consistent-Branch-55@reddit
None of these are fast - apart from maybe the turbo CX-30?
I tested a non-turbo CX-30 and it drove really well for highways and the fit and finish was the best out of any of the vehicles I was looking at, but the appearance was kind of meh. With the Crosstrek, I really wanted to get the 2.5, and it felt like a lot of fun behind the wheel, though less refined than the CX-30. Ground clearance was a plus, and the build from the Japanese plant felt solid, though less nice materials than the Mazda. I liked the personality of it.
I wasn't able to find a Corolla Cross, and the Seltos wasn't really on my radar. The Crosstrek just sort of felt right at the time, and I've been pretty happy with it after a year. X-mode has been fun for some access roads for fishing and camping. I will say I wish there was a tiny bit more room --- passengers with full size luggage from the airport was more tight than I anticipated (4 people, 2 full sized luggage 2 carry-on).
JohnDorian0506@reddit
Depends on your budget look at the Audi Q3.
Patrol-007@reddit
You really need to do test drives of each, re what’s going inside, fuel economy, road trips, passengers, suspension quality, cabin noise….
Canada: 2023 Seltos gutless compared to Soul.
Didn’t like Crosstrek within first five minutes (22, 23, 24) within jerky shifts (yet it’s CVT). Loud cabin noise. Also blinding sunglare from the center tablet chrome
CX30 too powerful (vs everything else tested, and I knew I’d get speeding tickets with it) and not great fuel efficiency (vs other vehicles) and had the worse rear side blind spots.
Corolla Cross hybrid is better than the has Version - more power, quieter, independent suspension, but it’s also made in a relatively new factory in Alabama US (build quality issues would drive me nuts)
Valyrian90@reddit
If it were my choice I'd go with the Crosstrek, but you can't really go wrong with any of them, they're all good. Test drive them all and choose.
Biscotti-Own@reddit
I have a 2021 Seltos. When I was looking it was between the Seltos, Crosstrek and Cx-30. Seltos has the most space, it's actually the same cargo volume as the CX-5. The cockpit of the CX-30 was way too small for me, but I'm pretty large. I've always been a sucker for a stationwagon, so the Subaru was a strong contender but it came with less features and worse finance rates.
I haven't had a single issue with mine other than a seized brake caliper which was easily sorted. I went with the SX, I had my doubts about the standard engine but knew the turbo version was tried and tested on other models and had good reviews. I've heard lots of issues with the standard engine, but not a peep from SX owners. The transmission can feel a little laggy in regular or smart mode, but it's super smooth and lots of fun in sport mode. Gets great mileage, too.
Toyotas are boring, but very reliable, so you can be bored by it for many many years.
DecisionExpensive219@reddit (OP)
Ive also heard alot of issues with the standard issue. I havent thought about looking into the turbo engine, might have to! How is your experience with dealing with kia themselves? Alot of the reviews say their customer service is terrible.
Biscotti-Own@reddit
Haven't had any issues when I did deal with them, but I haven't needed to deal with them much
DesignerPrevious3621@reddit
Going through the same process and leaning towards the seltos. Its so hard deciphering what people say about kia. I see good and bad. I’m trying to do my own research on the specific model and engine
DecisionExpensive219@reddit (OP)
Yes!! Im hearing super mixed signals on its reliability and cant figure out if its dependable or not
DesignerPrevious3621@reddit
Same! I’ve heard kia’s cvt isnt great so i’m doing research on the SX trim which has the 1.6T. The good thing is kia has a really good warranty. The kia has all of the features i’m looking for at a decent price 😭 i tried looking at the mazdas but they’re expensive for the features i would like to have and i can’t get past how they look lol
danibalazos@reddit
I was asking the same thing a couple years ago. I ended up going for the Corolla Cross. I have not regret it one single day, it is exactly what I need.
I´m not big on little lights and switches, I like the practicality and the tremendous reliability at a great price point. I´m not into professional racing, so it does not feel like a sluggish engine at all, never had trouble passing other cars in routes, or merging into traffic. People over emphasize this "problems" in an extreme picky way.
DecisionExpensive219@reddit (OP)
Im in the same boat. I dont necessarily need speed, just something nice to drive. How is the cargo space?
danibalazos@reddit
The cargo space is fine, for me.
Most of the time is empty. But a couple times I had lots of cargo that has been easy to load.
As always it depends on your needs. I have moved an entire office, computer and industrial printers included without a problem.
EjaculatedTobasco@reddit
Go look at the buick envista. Same class and price point.
Signal-Guarantee-364@reddit
+1 on this.
Thanks for the overview OP. I too was looking into the same options. I might go with the Seltos( tech and look is pretty good).
TheHamsterMage@reddit
I've only driven the CX-30, and I would say that I think I made a good choice for my needs. Its fast and sporty compared to everything else on the list, and very reliable. Like you said, it is small, but it has enough space for what I need.
I would say though none of these, except maybe the Seltos is an SUV. these cars are small and more in the CUV territory. Keep all that in mind in what you want to use your car for, like camping, biking, road trips, or having a family with kids.
pincolnl1ves@reddit
You have to drive it so get the one you want rather than trying to justify your way out of one.