Cabin filter Fram or Wix

Replaced the cabin filter in the car with a WIX with the microguard tech. No smell since.

I can\u2019t smell the windshield wiper fluid since I switched to a Fram filter with charcoal in it.

I’ve used Wix cabin filters for every vehicle we’ve had for years. Zero problems.

The cabin air filter is a multi-layer one that filters everything (dust, pollen, mold, odors) which can reduce air flow, but I really doubt anyone is struggling with air flow given how much air the blower moves on this vehicle.

I currently have the wix and it is working great for meZ

RockAuto even as a Canadian. 2025 Crosstrek cabin filters are $62 at the dealership. NAPA sells WIX filters for $40. RockAuto sells them for $13 CAD. Only issue is having to order a fair amount of stuff to offset shipping. But worth it.

I use Fram FreshBreeze, usually buy on eBay. Bought once on Amazon, it was a knockoff in Fram packaging. I wouldn’t use it.

I’d just get the standard FRAM, WIX, or so on if you wanted better airflow. If you don’t have bad allergies I’d just get regular since the benefit isn’t really noticeable otherwise, and then you get worse airflow.

After having a fram cabin air filter in my dad's frontier reduce the airflow out of the vents by a good 15%-20% you guessed it... dealership

Now, I just replaced the cabin filter on my (new to me) 2021 Kia Soul for the second time in 9 months and the new one which is a Fram, smells so musty and stale when it’s on recirculate, I might just replace it with another one to see if it makes a difference. It literally smells like stale moth balls. If I take the filter out and run it, smell goes away.