When shopping for that ideal new SUV, are you thinking sporty and speedy? Or something that’s practical and more affordably priced?
These questions bubble to the surface when comparing the Mazda CX-5 with its rival the Subaru Forester. Each competes in the highly competitive compact SUV segment against the likes of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage, to name only a few.
The Mazda CX-5 impresses with its sharp handling, upscale interior, and an available turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive is standard, and the new Carbon Turbo model joins the lineup for 2024.
Working in favor of the Subaru Forester is its roomy interior, great outward view, and impressive off-road capability. Like the CX-5, all-wheel drive is standard on every trim. While it doesn’t have a more potent engine option, the Forester does have an ace up its sleeve for adventure-seeking SUV shoppers.
Let’s take a closer look at the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester.
2024 Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is available in eight trims: S Select, S Preferred, S Carbon Edition, S Premium, S Premium Plus, Carbon Turbo, Turbo Premium, and Turbo Signature. Nestled in the engine bay of the five lower models is a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that sends power to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
As the “turbo” in their names suggests, these models come with a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that produces 227 hp when fed a diet of regular-grade fuel. Using premium nudges output to 256 hp. Pricing for the CX-5 starts at $29,300.
Mazda CX-5 Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive: For no additional cost you get AWD standard in every CX-5. This is great to have when roads are slippery, or even on sunny days when the CX-5’s AWD hardware seamlessly sends power to the wheels that need it most during spirited driving.
Classy cabin: Mazda has crafted a high quality interior for the CX-5 with easy-to-reach controls and upscale materials. Standard touches include a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Sporty driving manners: The CX-5 relishes zipping around corners and tight bends. This is a compact SUV you’ll want to drive for the thrill of it.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CX-5 models for sale near you.
2024 Subaru Forester
The 2024 Subaru Forester is offered in six trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring. All versions come with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 182 horsepower to all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The Forester’s ample ground clearance and upright design (with a great outward view) make it good at both traversing off-road trails and squeezing into cozy curbside parking spots.
Subaru Forester Highlights
EyeSight safety features: In keeping with its more left-brain nature, every Forester comes with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver aids. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder.
Outdoorsy Wilderness model: We already know the Forester isn’t afraid of the great outdoors. The Wilderness model adds greater all-terrain capability thanks to its 9.2 inches of ground clearance, off-road tires, underbody skid plate, upgraded AWD system, and trim-specific front and rear bumpers. These bumpers deliver improved approach and departure angles, so you’ll keep your Forester safer from body-crunching rocks and other obstacles.
Resale value and ownership costs: We can’t talk about the Forester and fail to mention how it’s a smart longer-term investment. Among compact SUVs, it took top honors in our Lowest 5-Year Cost to Own award and Best Resale Value Award.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Forester models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester are great choices for anyone looking for a nicely equipped, safe, and comfortable compact SUV. You get AWD standard on both of them, they have identical warranties, and each scores high marks in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Conclusion
This is an intriguing head-to-head comparison that proves the CX-5 and Forester offer lots of SUV for your money. We appreciate the Subaru’s simpler design approach and go-anywhere nature, especially that of the Wilderness trim. With this Subaru’s low cost-to-own figures and high resale value, it’s easy to see why so many Forester owners remain loyal to their 5-passenger SUV.
While the Mazda CX-5 might not challenge the Forester in fording swollen streams or powering through muddy bogs, its scythe-like steering and punchy powertrains make it the sports sedan of compact SUVs. It is extremely well engineered, and it feels a cut above the competition in how it drives. A little more cargo space and rear legroom would propel it even higher in our ranking of the best compact SUVs.
| 2024 Mazda CX-5 | 2024 Subaru Forester | |
| Starting Price | $29,300 | $27,095 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter flat-4 |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 182 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy | 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined | 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29 mpg combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cyl. | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.2 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 180.1 inches | 182.7 inches |
| Width | 72.6 inches | 71.5 inches |
| Height | 66.1 inches | 67.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.7 inches | 41.2 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.0 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.0 inches | 43.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.1 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 54.8 inches | 57.2 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 30.0 / 59.3 cubic feet | 28.9 / 74.2 cubic feet |
