Compare the2025 Subaru OutbackVS 2025 Mazda CX-50

The Outback 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.

With its standard EyeSight, the Subaru Outback is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Mazda CX-50, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

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

Both the Outback and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 18 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Outback’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Outback has larger alternators than the CX-50:

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 1 place higher in reliability than Mazda.

The Outback has more powerful engines than the CX-50:

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda CX-50 turbo 4 cyl.:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The CX-50 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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

Regardless of its engine, the Outback’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Mazda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid.

The Outback has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outback has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The Outback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-50 are solid, not vented.

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx XT has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the CX-50; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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

The Outback Wilderness executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-50 (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred (8.7 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus (9.5 vs. 8.6 inches).

The front grille of the Outback 2.5i uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-50 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outback has 8.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-50 (109 vs. 100.3).

The Outback has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outback’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-50 with its rear seat up (32.6 vs. 31.4 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (75.6 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Outback’s liftgate can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-50’s (2700 vs. 2000 pounds).

While the CX-50 Hybrid can only tow 1500, any Outback can tow a minimum of 2700 pounds.

The engine in the Outback 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 14th.

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

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Insurance will cost less for the Outback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Outback will cost $400 to $3215 less than the CX-50 over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Outback and the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Mazda CX-50 by almost four to one during 2023.