Mazda CX-50 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-502.5 S Select | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | 2.5 S Select | 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-502.5 S Select | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,900 (best) | $29,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $20,951 | $13,997 (best) |
| Median listing price | $33,755 | $27,995 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $46,740 | $42,263 (best) |
| For sale now | 126 (best) | 89 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Mazda CX-502.5 S Select | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 24 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 30 MPG | 33 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.9 gal | 16.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Mazda CX-502.5 S Select | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 187 hp (best) | 180 hp |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Mazda CX-502.5 S Select | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 56.3 cu ft | 74.4 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,741 lbs | 3,510 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 8.3 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in (best) | 105.1 in |
| Length | 185.8 in (best) | 183.3 in |
| Width | 75.6 in (best) | 72 in |
| Height | 63.5 in | 68.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Mazda CX-502.5 S Select | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| 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-50 | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 S Select $29,900 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | 2.5 S Preferred $32,400 MSRP | Premium $33,385 MSRP |
| 3 | 2.5 S Meridian Edition $33,150 MSRP | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP |
| 4 | Hybrid Preferred $34,750 MSRP | Sport $36,105 MSRP |
| 5 | 2.5 S Premium $34,900 MSRP | Limited $37,695 MSRP |
| 6 | 2.5 Turbo $37,900 MSRP | Sport Hybrid $37,930 MSRP |
| 7 | Hybrid Premium $38,150 MSRP | Wilderness $38,385 MSRP |
| 8 | 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition $40,400 MSRP | Limited Hybrid $38,995 MSRP |
| 9 | Hybrid Premium Plus $40,450 MSRP | Touring Hybrid $41,545 MSRP |
| 10 | 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $42,900 MSRP | Touring $41,595 MSRP |
Live inventory
Mazda CX-50126 for sale
See all
Certified2025 Mazda CX-50
2.5 S Preferred Package
Polymetal Gray Metallic•Black W/Gray9,096 mi$33,937Beaver Mazda of Cumming
Cumming, GA
Certified2025 Mazda CX-50
2.5 Turbo Premium Package
Beige/Tan•Black W/Brown3,929 mi$33,990Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Certified2024 Mazda CX-50
2.5 S Preferred Package
Jet Black Mica•Gray67,637 mi$21,663Sport Mazda North
Longwood, FL
Certified2025 Mazda CX-50
2.5 S Premium Package
Polymetal Gray Metallic•Gray5,660 mi$32,116Brown and Wood Mazda
Greenville, NC
Certified2024 Mazda CX-50
2.5 S Preferred Package
Jet Black Mica•Black58,967 mi$24,499Rochester Mazda
Rochester, MN
Certified2025 Mazda CX-50
2.5 S Premium Package
Wind Chill Pearl•Gray3,847 mi$31,499Flow Mazda of Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
Subaru Forester89 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$21,000Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
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$25,263Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2024 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•gray40,325 mi$30,265Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Mazda CX-50 vs Subaru Forester FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Mazda CX-50 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Mazda CX-50 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-50 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 starts lower at $29,900. Live Mazda CX-50 listings start at $20,951. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $13,997.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Mazda CX-50 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,900).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Mazda CX-50 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (38).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Mazda CX-50 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 leads on horsepower in this comparison (227).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Mazda CX-50 or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Mazda CX-50 (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall).