Compare the2024 Subaru SolterraVS 2023 Mazda MX-30

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Solterra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Solterra has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Solterra has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The MX-30 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The MX-30 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Solterra and the MX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Subaru Solterra weighs 699 to 831 pounds more than the Mazda MX-30. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Subaru Solterra achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The MX-30 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

There are over 18 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Solterra’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 1 place higher in reliability than Mazda.

The Solterra’s electric motors produces 72 more horsepower (215 vs. 143) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (249 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the MX-30:

The Solterra can travel longer on a full charge than the MX-30 on a full charge:

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MX-30 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the MX-30 (235/60R18 vs. 215/55R18).

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MX-30’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard 20-inch wheels. The MX-30’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Solterra has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda MX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Solterra has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Solterra flat and controlled during cornering. The MX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Solterra has 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 MX-30 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the MX-30 (112.2 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Solterra is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the MX-30.

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 2.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MX-30 (8.3 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Solterra has 5.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MX-30 (95.7 vs. 89.8).

The Solterra has .3 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 5.2 inches more rear legroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the MX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The MX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Solterra Limited/Touring has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The MX-30 doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

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

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the MX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the Solterra and the MX-30 have standard heated front seats. The Solterra Limited/Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the MX-30.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Solterra Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The MX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Solterra’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The MX-30 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Solterra and the MX-30 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Solterra has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The MX-30 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Solterra offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The MX-30 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The MX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Subaru Solterra outsold the Mazda MX-30 by almost 89 to one during 2023.