Crosstrek versus cx-3.

Going to look at these two after work. I've watched every review video and even the technical boring videos out there on the awd systems of both. We live in sisters Oregon which is currently melting about 2ft of snow. Yesterday was hell in a Honda Fit. My wife cares for the homes of a few high profile clients and we have to have a vehicle that can make to these homes (some of which are located in the boondocks). We also realize we don't need a 4x4 truck. I've narrowed the choices down to the crosstrek and the cx-3. (Must be autos).

Crosstrek pros: 8.7" ground clearance. "Comes in that pretty blue color"-swmbo
Cons: costs more. Cvt. Have to step up to the 24k model for the auto.

Cx-3 pros: awd seems very techy. Several YouTube videos show the cx3's system working better than the crosstreks (a Mazda ran operation). The Mazda is about 21k as spec'. Matt farrah says the auto shifter is awesome. Cons: the lowest ground clearance in class.

What would you choose and why?

My roommate has the CX3 GT with sport shifted paddles/awd. Interior is worlds better in fit/finish/feel. Gearbox is actually quite nice. It rides well, looks fantastic, the steering is quick. The ground clearance hasn't seemed to be an issue yet but the only other knock is, the Crosstrek most certainly has more room/storage.

The Mazda will have the nicer interior and generally be the nicer place to spend time, along with getting better real-world fuel economy.

The Subaru will probably be a little more roomy, and it also has a more rugged, old-school longitudinal drivetrain AWD system unlike the Mazda (regardless of any test result, design is design, and I would probably trust the Subaru more in really hairy stuff).

Me? I would buy the Mazda and use the price difference on a set of winter wheels with badass snow tires which would basically make the ground clearance issue a moot point. But I also love the current-gen Mazdas so YMMV.

As long as you stay on the road, ground clearance really doesn't matter that much. I've driven in some seriously bad snow storm and it happened maybe once or twice where I thought to myself: "more ground clearance would have been good". And I've never owned a real off-roader.

With that said, if this is to be a long term ownership experience, I would personally go with the Subaru.

Something about a CVT and a flat-four makes my stomach hurt.

Every Mazda I've driven lately has been a hoot, can't say the same for Subarus. I haven't driven either of these particular cars, so take that with a big grain of salt. And the CX-3 is better on gas, and costs less, this seems like a no-brainer, but again, I haven't test driven either.

Trackmouse wrote: we have to have a vehicle that can make to these homes

No question then. The Crosstrek. Get it in the color SWMBO likes.

In reply to red_stapler:

That's what we are leaning toward. The other big pro is that Subaru resell here is high. These high school kids will practically hold daddy hostage for "that dope car that can go to the mountain". It's ridiculous the money I see used, 300k Mile, worn out, head gasket blown legacies go for.

Echoing, if you aren't offroading (which you shouldn't be in either of these really) then Mazda for sure. All the reasons listed above.

Edit: I guess resale is a good point but how long do you hold onto cars? If it is more than 100k miles, I bet the resale will be less than the current difference of the sticker prices.

The Mazda seems fun to drive. Even had a customer of mine echo that. I want fun to drive.

Flip side- I can't have my wife calling that she got stuck "in the vehicle YOU chose!" Our back roads here are not to be trifled with. I'm talking jagged volcanic rock sticking out of the ground, ruts, narrow pathways, and silt. Granted 99% of our driving won't be that. It'll be on peaceful paved and plowed town streets.

singleslammer wrote: Edit: I guess resale is a good point but how long do you hold onto cars? If it is more than 100k miles, I bet the resale will be less than the current difference of the sticker prices.

Our current timeframe is 5yrs. The fit is 2011.

Drove both, CX3 had a much better interior, and a bit more get up and go (drove the max optioned Subaru). CX3 has a very long front overhang, and nearly not enough clearance to get over a large parking stop.

MY wife ended up in a cx5. But would take the Cx3 over the Crosstrek.

Crosstrek has deceptively low headroom, especially with the sunroof option.

In reply to DaveEstey:

Wife and I are short.

I have not drive the Mazda, but have driven the Crosstrek. I shockingly liked it. I wasn't expecting to as I'm not really the kind of person that buys those, but I could live with one as a daily driver. The ride was decent, steering not bad, and the seats were decent as well. It felt a step above my BRZ at the time in terms of interior quality. It was pretty slow however. But for a SUV with good off road capabilities and fuel mileage, I was impressed.

The Mazda definitely has the better looking interior, but I think the Crosstrek exterior is more purposeful.

Snow around here is not much, so I can't comment on that, but I think it'd be difficult to make a wrong choice here. I'd let the wife drive them and make up her mind which she likes best.

Another cx3 vote. I haven't priced them, but would the vw awd wagon thing be a potential option as well? (Or is it off the short list because vw)

Thanks fellas. I'll report back if/when we get one.

Have her drive both back to back. Buy the one she prefers. Remember who the end user is, make her happy.

red_stapler wrote:

Trackmouse wrote: we have to have a vehicle that can make to these homes

No question then. The Crosstrek. Get it in the color SWMBO likes.

Second this. SIL has a CX3. I have an Outback(admittedly a bit larger). Guess who had to go rescue the other in the blizzard we had last January.

8" of unplowed snow on the road didn't even begin to bother the Outback.

I have a Subaru and a Mazda, I would buy another Mazda before another Subaru.

Neither of mine relate to what you are looking at.

I feel like given your location that a set of winter tires needs to happen no matter the vehicle . 2ft of snow is too much to 'just' rely on AWD in my opinion.

Dr Ribs Revere wrote: Have her drive both back to back. Buy the one she prefers. Remember who the end user is, make her happy.

I had an opinion, but ultimately, this is the correct answer.

Yep.