2025 Subaru Outback Turbo vs. 2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo

Welcome back guys! Here’s my comparison review of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 TURBO PREMIUM and Subaru Outback Touring XT! Their main competition includes the 2025 Mazda CX-5, 2025 Subaru Forester, 2025 Honda CR-V, 2025 Toyota RAV4, and a few others!

What are your thoughts?? Comment 👇

Dealer links 👇

[Lukas-cvkb]

In this comparison, my choice is the Outback.
1. Comfortable seats and a perfect fit. More space for passengers and luggage. Possibility of long journeys away from civilization.
2. large and modern multimedia screen. Normal armrest and pockets for small things in the back. Adjustable rear seat backrests.
3. Legendary EyeSight safety, EuroNCap rating and practical roof rails.

[SlabSheetrock]

Great comparison. I did cross shop both these- briefly- earlier this year. The CX-50 was eliminated immediately due to the cramped interior. I've had my Outback Touring XT for a while now, and I really like it. The seats are extremely comfortable- almost to the level of my old Volvos (almost!) and the turbo is smooth, powerful, and quiet- and quick! I genuinely wonder if Subaru is understating its power output.
Some things about the car are not perfect- you're right about the potato-quality cameras, and an Autostop Eliminator is a must-have aftermarket accessory- auto stop/start is brutal with a boxer engine- but overall the car has been fantastic. The infotainment is fine- yes, physical climate controls would be nice, but it's livable, especially with voice commands. The CVT is perfectly fine for daily driving.

The #1 thing every Outback owner should do- immediately- is ditch the OEM tires. They're garbage. Getting a decent set of tires- I personally went with Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3s, but there are a bunch of good options out there- transforms the handling of the car and should be considered mandatory.

[ccchhhrrriiisss]

Good comparison. I did quite a bit of research before making my purchase last year. I initially intended to purchase a Toyota or Honda with a Subaru as a strong alternative. The Toyota and Honda models that I was interested in lacked power, premium feel (I hate their infotainment systems) and/or a good AWD.

So, Subaru was an easy choice because of the AWD and quality of build. However, slowly as I did research, Mazda grew on me. I have an engineering academic and vocational background. With this in mind, I was impressed with the actual design and viability of the Skyactiv engines. In terms of interiors, I strongly preferred the Mazda interiors. In terms of the look, I liked the Subaru outer design. I also preferred the Subaru driving comfort (i.e., suspension). However, in terms of driving feel (behind the wheel), overall safety and driver/passenger features, I favored Mazda.

It was a long game of preference back-and-forth. Ultimately, I went with a new Mazda. I just feel like you get more bang for your buck (in terms of safety, premium feel, noise, no CVT, no stop-go, a surprisingly good AWD that is standard, etc.). Like you said, you really don't go wrong with either. I feel that my Mazda has been the best automotive purchase that I've ever made. It's so much better than the Ford and Toyota vehicles that I am coming from. My Mazda's lowest score was with suspension (it's a bit stiff). My highest score was with its sportier driving feel and overall interior quality preference.

This is not to say that I didn't like the Subaru models that I considered. However, it came down to a few tangible preferences. In addition, while I liked the Subaru interiors, they did feel like a cross between the Toyota and Ford in terms of build quality and materials (albeit updated). I just preferred the user experience and interiors of Mazda.

[FordEnthusiast]

I easily without any hesitation would take the Outback. I have owned several Subarus (and Fords LOL) and the Outback has always been my favorite. Also love the Legacy which the Outback is based on. Excellent review of both vehicles!!

[pootinplays]

I looked at both of these. I liked that the outback was a tiny bit more spacious, but I hate the interior of the outback. It felt much cheaper than the cx-50. And i was a little hesitant on a cvt. A Dealership about 2 and a half hours away still had a '24 cx-50 turbo premium and was able to get it 41k out the door. Seemed like a good deal. Only 1500 miles on it so far but I am happy with my purchase.

[dannymcneal]

Looks are subjective. Personally, the Outback looks more robust than the Mazda. And I don’t mind the front end—looks all business! Of course, the symmetrical AWD on the Outback? Second to none! Love mine!!

[drw]

That Mazda is a handsome feller, I gotta be honest.

[erikjeanes]

Wow good timing on the video, I was JUST wondering this question!

[williamstevenson]

The way I feel about these two cars is that I would buy the base level Outback for sure. But as the trim levels go up and I start thinking about performance I start looking more and more at the CX-50.

[drn]

Drove both..Bought the Outback. I actually liked them both, but I am 6'3 and for some reason the CX-50 does not have much front seat leg room. Looks wise I preferred the CX-50, but I could not get comfortable. Outback seat goes way back so I had plenty of legroom.

[Mirror]

I’ll go with the one not with an CVT ❤

[ohhey]

Very good video, I’m looking at the ds-50 atm. Slow it down, hit on the bigger points and condense a few things and you will have the beset reviews on YT.

[MartinStockel]

I am a Subaru fan. Currently driving a 2022 Ascent. Looking for a new Subaru Outback or Forester. We don't have a Mazda dealership within about 300 miles. Thank very much for a very complete comparison of the two vehicles. Now I am thinking about driving to the nearest Mazda dealer to check them out and hopefully take one for a short drive.

[scottanthony]

I was hoping for a test drive in you review. I did drive both a while back, and the CX-50 feels more car like and athletic, whereas the Outback felt softer and less direct. Not sure what octane the dealership puts into the CX-50 on the lot, so not sure what HP I had underfoot. The Outback felt a bit laggy with the CVT. With rear seats folded the Outback has a lot more cargo space. I think both have adaptive headlights, but kudos to Subaru for keeping with fog lamps. As noted, this Outback is near major refresh time. In my search for a replacement for my '14 Forester XT, neither of these won my heart for a potential decade long relationship. So, I went with "Plan B", which was keep my Forester XT, with intent to retire it from daily driver to "dirty deeds" (snow days, light towing, large hauling) and got a '25 Camry AWD for daily. (The trade in offers were pathetic too.) It felt like too many of the SUV's I was pondering (also RAV4) were at the end of their model runs, so maybe in a few years there will be something I like. Right now, enjoying 47 mpg on regular with 0-60 in the low 7's, respectable handling (got the XSE), and a quiet cabin. Gas is expensive where I live and I just couldn't warm up to another 10 years with 24-26 mpg (some on premium) for my daily. Allegedly, Subaru has a hybrid on the way, and Mazda is going to get the Toyota hybrid system. Seems like a good compromise to me - decent power (not quite as good as these turbos, but much better than the wheezy NA engines in either of these) and much better mpg on regular grade.

[MrPicky]

Cx 50 looks way too good. Love the bonnet

[terrywalker]

Found the seats in the cx-50 kinda hard. We own our cars typical 10 or more years so I wonder about the reliability of the Mazda's heads up display?

[stevens]

Is you buy the lower end model, the Mazda has more safety equipment, such as blind spot warning, automatic brights, and rain sensing automatic windshield wipers

[davestadt]

Excellent comparison.
Don't forget the entry's from Chevrolet, GMC, Buick suvs.🤔🤔🤔

[grcigar]

I feel like I recall a statistic that less than 40% of outbacks are taken off paved roads by the original buyers. Similar to Wilderness trim level for a Subaru, I wish they could offer a more urban/city trim level that brings in styling with less plastic, etc. Subaru from time to time shows off a concept vehicle that goes in this direction, but then always back off in the actual production models. We shall see if the next gen Outback changes anything up or not.

[jmanultra]

Neither vehicle outright wins over the other imo, so I’ll have to test drive both eventually.
Mazda’s infotainment screen looks pretty small, and its further away placement makes me think I’ll need my glasses on to see it well.
Otherwise I’m not thrilled with losing HP and torque by using regular fuel. I’m more interested in their hybrid variant though.
Subaru Outback I really like the looks of. CVT is the one big knock, as well as that big infotainment screen. I think they had the perfect setup already in the previous gen Forester.