Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Forester
Overview
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | 2.5 S | Forester SUV |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,990 (best) | $29,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $200 (best) | $9,301 |
| Median listing price | $34,889 | $27,380 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $43,044 | $42,263 (best) |
| For sale now | 345 (best) | 99 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 23 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG | 33 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.3 gal | 16.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 187 hp (best) | 180 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 66.5 cu ft | 74.4 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,856 lbs | 3,510 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in (best) | 105.1 in |
| Length | 184.6 in (best) | 183.3 in |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 72 in |
| Height | 66.7 in | 68.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 3 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Mazda CX-5 | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 S $29,990 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | 2.5 S Select $31,990 MSRP | Premium $33,385 MSRP |
| 3 | 2.5 S Preferred $34,250 MSRP | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP |
| 4 | 2.5 S Premium $36,900 MSRP | Sport $36,105 MSRP |
| 5 | 2.5 S Premium Plus $38,990 MSRP | Limited $37,695 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Sport Hybrid $37,930 MSRP |
| 7 | — | Wilderness $38,385 MSRP |
| 8 | — | Limited Hybrid $38,995 MSRP |
| 9 | — | Touring Hybrid $41,545 MSRP |
| 10 | — | Touring $41,595 MSRP |
Live inventory
Mazda CX-5345 for sale
See all
Used2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray•red26,506 mi$27,466Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Certified2024 Mazda CX-5
2.5 Turbo Premium
Red•Black24,155 mi$28,990Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Certified2025 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Preferred Package
Red•Black6,670 mi$27,990Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Certified2025 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Preferred Package
Black•Black6,978 mi$27,990Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Certified2025 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium Plus Package
White•Black5,844 mi$30,877Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Used2022 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium Package
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•Black72,641 mi$21,497Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Subaru Forester99 for sale
See all
Used2020 Subaru Forester
Premium
Crystal White Pearl•Black95,634 mi$17,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2019 Subaru Forester
Limited
Silver•black42,576 mi$22,299Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Certified2024 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Geyser Blue•gray57,906 mi$28,789Grand Forks Kia
Grand Forks, ND
Certified2026 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray2,648 mi$34,674Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2023 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
White•Gray16,392 mi$29,551Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2022 Subaru Forester
Limited
Blue•lighting37,321 mi$25,904Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Subaru Forester on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 starts lower at $29,990. Live Mazda CX-5 listings start at $200. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $9,301.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-5 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,990).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (35).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on horsepower in this comparison (194).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall).