Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2023 Mazda CX-50

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 Crosstrek CVT are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Crosstrek CVT’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Crosstrek and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 141 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-50 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 16 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Crosstrek’s warranty.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the CX-50:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Crosstrek uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-50 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Crosstrek higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (5 to 7). This means the Crosstrek produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

The Crosstrek offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Crosstrek offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Crosstrek’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50’s standard 65 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Crosstrek 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 CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Crosstrek has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Crosstrek flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the CX-50’s (35.4 feet vs. 36 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the CX-50 Premium/Turbo (8.7 vs. 8.6 inches).

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 pounds less than the Mazda CX-50.

The Crosstrek is 9.3 inches shorter than the CX-50, making the Crosstrek easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Crosstrek has .7 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.1 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The CX-50 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-50. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Crosstrek offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Crosstrek and the CX-50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Crosstrek is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Crosstrek Base). The CX-50 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek, based on reliability, safety and performance.