Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Outback
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Outback
Overview
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | 2.5 S | Premium |
| 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 OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,990 (best) | $34,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $200 (best) | $7,995 |
| Median listing price | $34,889 (best) | $42,338 |
| Highest listing price | $43,044 (best) | $53,175 |
| For sale now | 322 (best) | 174 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 23 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG | 32 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.3 gal | 18 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| 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 OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 66.5 cu ft | 80.5 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,856 lbs | 3,741 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in (best) | 108.1 in |
| Length | 184.6 in | 191.7 in (best) |
| Width | 73.2 in | 74 in (best) |
| Height | 66.7 in | 67.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Mazda CX-52.5 S | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | — | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | Not Rated |
| Side pole | — | Not Rated |
| Rollover | — | Not Rated |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
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 Outback |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 S $29,990 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Premium $34,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | 2.5 S Select $31,990 MSRP | Limited $41,715 MSRP |
| 3 | 2.5 S Preferred $34,250 MSRP | Limited XT $44,365 MSRP |
| 4 | 2.5 S Premium $36,900 MSRP | Wilderness $44,995 MSRP |
| 5 | 2.5 S Premium Plus $38,990 MSRP | Touring $45,395 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Touring XT $47,995 MSRP |
Live inventory
Mazda CX-5322 for sale
See all
Certified2024 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray Metallic•Black39,043 mi$30,937Beaver Mazda of Cumming
Cumming, GA
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
Used2022 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium Package
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•Black72,641 mi$21,497Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Certified2025 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray Metallic•Black32,604 mi$27,807Classic Mazda Westside
Cleveland, OH
New2026 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Preferred
Machine Gray Metallic•Black Leatherette3 mi$35,739Westshore Mazda Tampa
Tampa, FL
Subaru Outback174 for sale
See all
Used2013 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Satin White Pearl•Saddle Brown146,791 mi$8,990Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Crystal White Pearl•Warm Ivory13,467 mi$30,686Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2023 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Autumn Green Metallic•Warm Ivory74,887 mi$24,386Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2025 Subaru Outback
Premium
White•Black2,572 mi$30,096Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Wilderness
Crystal Black Silica•gray35,213 mi$31,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2016 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Ice Silver Metallic•Black85,540 mi$15,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Outback FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Subaru Outback 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 Outback?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 starts lower at $29,990. Live Mazda CX-5 listings start at $200. Live Subaru Outback listings start at $7,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-5 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,990).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Outback leads on horsepower in this comparison (260).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Mazda CX-5 or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-5 leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (1,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Subaru Outback (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).