Compare the2025 Mazda CX-5VS 2025 Subaru Forester

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 Forester’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 Traffic Alert on the Forester and its not available on the Base.

Both the CX-5 and the Forester 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (187 vs. 180) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (185 vs. 178) than the Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 76 more horsepower (256 vs. 180) and 142 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 178) than the Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Subaru Forester:

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 Forester doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Forester:

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 Forester doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Forester (106.2 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Forester.

The CX-5 is 3.2 inches shorter than the Forester, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-5 has .5 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear hip room than the Forester.

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

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 Forester doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Forester’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The CX-5 has a standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring offers a Keyless Access and Start.

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 Forester’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Subaru Forester by 1242 units during 2023.