Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The CX-5 Turbo Signature has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Crosstrek’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Subaru charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the Crosstrek and its not available on the Base/Manual.

Both the CX-5 and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and available driver alert monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 430 to 750 pounds more than the Subaru Crosstrek. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

	CX-5	Crosstrek
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	82	121
Neck Injury Risk	23%	36%
Neck Stress	274 lbs.	304 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	42 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	160/307 lbs.	252/363 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	44.6%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

	CX-5	Crosstrek
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	138
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	196 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	208	303
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	824 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is much safer than the Crosstrek:

	CX-5	Crosstrek
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	155	245
Head Peak Forces	no contact	55 G’s
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	1.89 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	848 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.42 in	2.09 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	825 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Crosstrek last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Subaru.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 7th.

Engine

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (187 vs. 152) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 145) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (187 vs. 182) and 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 176) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 74 more horsepower (256 vs. 182) and 144 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 176) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl. is faster than the Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	CX-5	Crosstrek
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	10.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.4 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	82 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Transmission

The Mazda CX-5 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Crosstrek.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-5 Turbo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Crosstrek:

	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo	Crosstrek
Front Rotors	11.7 inches	12.6 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11.9 inches	10.8 inches

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Crosstrek:

	CX-5	Crosstrek
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	169 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo has standard 19-inch wheels. The Crosstrek’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The CX-5 has engine speed sensitive 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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Crosstrek (106.2 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Crosstrek.

The CX-5 handles at .82 G’s, while the Crosstrek Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Crosstrek Limited (27.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 2.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Crosstrek (103.6 vs. 100.9).

The CX-5 has .1 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Crosstrek.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Crosstrek’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 20.8 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 55.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Crosstrek’s liftover is 30.9 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Crosstrek’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-5	Crosstrek
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	38”	32.3”/64.2”
Max Width	57”	53”
Min Width	41.3”	43”
Height	32.4”	30”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The CX-5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer memory seats.

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The CX-5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Crosstrek’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The CX-5’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Crosstrek’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Crosstrek’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CX-5’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Crosstrek’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Crosstrek’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The CX-5 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Crosstrek has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/Sport/Limited.

Both the CX-5 and the Crosstrek offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Crosstrek.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo’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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the CX-5 and the Crosstrek offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek 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 Mazda CX-5 Turbo has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the CX-5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the Crosstrek is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-5 is less expensive to operate than the Crosstrek because it costs $300 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the CX-5 than the Crosstrek, including $134 less for a water pump, $5 less for front brake pads, $169 less for a starter, $106 less for a fuel pump, $151 less for front struts and $176 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Crosstrek, based on reliability, safety and performance.