Subaru Forester VS Mazda CX-5 comparison

#SubaruForester
#MazdaCX-5
#CoupleCarComparison
This is a Motormouth couple car comparison of the 2022 Subaru Forester and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 compact utility vehciles.The Subaru Forester is over 3.5 inches longer than the Mazda CX-5 and offers over 2 inches more front legroom but have about the same second row legroom. The CX-5 offers more cargo space behind the second row at 30.9 cubic feet compared to the Forester at 26.9 cubic feet. Overall cargo capacity winner is the Forester offering an extra 9.5 cubic feet.The Forester has a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine matched with a CVT, 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. Standard AWD. The Mazda CX-5 has two engine options, a 2.5L 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic transmission, 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged 4-cylinder with regular fuel has 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. If you use premium, you’ll get a bump in power, 256 horsepower & 320 lb-ft of torque. Standard AWD for 2022. Both crossovers come with similar standard features, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, cloth upholstery, manual driver and passenger seats, LED headlights and LED taillights and 17” wheels. Where the CX-5 shines is with the standard 10.25” display screen, although it’s not a touchscreen and controlled at the centre console dial, it is much larger than the Forester at 6.5” with an available 8” touchscreen. The top trims of both are where you’ll find all those extra features like a wireless charger, heated rear seats and driver seat memory. The Mazda also comes with ventilated front seats, which the Forester doesn’t have but the Forester has an available panoramic sunroof and the CX-5 a moonroof. The Forester has an open and spacious cabin with large doors making it convenient to get car seats, kids and dogs in and out of the vehicle. For 2022, Subaru offers a new optional gesture climate control system, allowing the driver to raise and lower the temperature through hand gestures. We found this to be a bit gimmicky and didn’t always work for us. The Forester comes standard with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a 6.5” touchscreen, heated manual driver and passenger seats and cloth upholstery. Two up from the base model in Canada offers a lot of value with an 8” touchscreen, power liftgate, heated steering wheel and sunroof. In the US, the panoramic sunroof is standard one up from the base model. The top trims come with features like heated rear seats, a 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, leather upholstery, driver seat memory, power passenger seats and navigation. The new Wilderness trim comes with all weather soft touch water repellent upholstery. The Mazda CX-5 offers a sophisticated interior with a touch of elegance. The top trim comes with beautiful, soft Nappa leather upholstery in Cocoa and Abachi wood trim creating an upscale interior that can easily compete with luxury brands. With improved technology, the standard 10.25” centre display with Mazda Connect is intuitive to use and faster than the outgoing model. Mazda focused on creating a quieter cabin by significantly reducing the noise level of tires and wind especially on the highway. Some standard features include, manual driver and passenger seats, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, push button start, and heated cloth front seats. One up from the base model in Canada comes with a power liftgate, leatherette trimmed upholstery, a power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel and a 6 speaker audio system. The Kuro trim and above is where you’ll find driver seat memory and a power passenger seat, leather trimmed upholstery and a 7” LCD display. The top trims have all the extra features like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a wireless charger and a Bose sound system. The new Sport Design trim for 2022 ups the sportiness with black leather upholstery with red stitching accents in the cabin. Mazda has improved the comfort level of their seats on this year’s model; there were many complaints that the seats were uncomfortable on long trips.

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[haroldmezile]

We selected the Mazda 2021. We enjoy the driving dynamics and quiet ride. It has acoustical windows, all wheel drive, a Bose audio system, leather seats, all on the Touring model. The Mazda offers more for less.

[Ron]

I live in mountainous snow country. Owned two Forestors. Now have a CX5. See no difference on snow or ice with quality snow tires. On the Forestors the engine noise after 80k drove me crazy. Don't know if this is still an issue. The CX5 excells when it comes to driving at night on country roads. My favorite feature is the automatic high beam.

[rhomacity]

I am on my second Subaru, a 2015 Forester, non turbo. It has performed admirably and i have had no problems with it whatsoever. I was a bit worried about the CVT, but it has been fine. I have not noticed any issues about how it works. My previous Subaru was a Legacy Brighton wagon that did 16 years of service, with lots of trips on woods roads with a canoe on the roof, sometimes mud up to the axles, sometimes on rough gravel. Never got stuck though I did have to replace wheel bearings (once) and u-joints (ditto). I would never have sold it had it not rusted out. Both had ample power and passing speed for my purposes, though I am not a boy racer and could care less about having a turbo.

[sdc]

In 2021 my wife and I test drove both the CX5 and the Forester.We chose the CX5 for it's driving dynamics, good looks and better pricing at that time(May 2021).I did like the Forester for it's open feeling interior but the big turn off for me was it's start/stop feature.It was the roughest start /stop I had ever tested.Mazda does not use the start/stop feature at all.We are in our 60's and love the CX5.

[nunnayobidness]

We've owned our 2021 CX-5 GT premier for about a month and couldn't be happier!!

[bradscott]

Thanks for a great comparison of two excellent vehicles. We have owned a 2011 Forester Touring (268k) since new and a 2019 CX-5 (36k) since new. Both have winter tires the ones on the Forester being 10 year old Toyo's and Michelin X-ice on the Mazda. In my experience the X-ice is the better tire performing well in a wide variety of conditions. The Toyos get pretty slippy in wet conditions but do well in deep snow and cold weather.

Value wise, you get a lot with the CX-5 for the money. We got the second from the bottom model (GS) without the extra trim package that comes with the sunroof. Truly amazed at the list of standard features including LED headlights (exceptional), rain sensing wipers, auto dimming headlights, auto up/down on all 4 windows and a very good adaptive cruise control. Also a good suite of safety features including blind spot detection. The CX-5 is significantly quieter than the Forester with it's dated but bulletproof 4 speed auto.

Driving the Forester is reminiscent of wearing an old pair of comfortable jeans. Great views out all the windows (The CX-5 feels cavelike) and a nice supple suspension even in it's old age. I think the Forester's full time AWD really contributes to it's handling ability and actually feel more confident flinging it into a corner than the CX-5. I recently had an opportunity to test the CX-5 on greasy/slushy roads at -20 Celsius and was amazed that the back end kicked out unexpectedly about 30 degrees both times I tried it. The Forester consistently provides drama free straight line acceleration under hard acceleration in slippery conditions.Typically the only vehicle that will pull away faster than me in snowy conditions is another Subaru - I typically drive moderately but it's hard to resist the Forester's AWD capability.

My Subaru lasted pretty much trouble free to the 250k kilometer mark although I chose not to do a number of expensive maintenance items incudeing front and rear suspension components. The coupling between the front and rear transaxle failed sometime after 200k and cost ~$1, 300 to replace. In addition I have several thousand dollars of outstanding repairs that are needed. However, as long as the car is running fine I will continue to drive it and am not likely to invest more money in repairs at this point.

So despite my fondness for our 2011Forester, it may be the last one I own. Toyota and Honda offer great alternatives, but none of them provide the list of standard features you find in a CX-5 in it's second lowest trim level. Plus the interior finish, quiet interior and conventional transmission, not to mention handling make it an attractive choice. The CX-5 has the best auto transmission (6 speed) I've ever driven. I like that I can feel it downshift as I slow to a stop.

[ikeyoung]

I can say I’m a Mazda fanboy we have a 21 cx9 carbon edition and a 21 cx5 gt premium and I couldn’t be more pleased with either of them. They have been some of the greatest cars I’ve owned. I love your guys videos and look forward to the daily uploads keep up the great work in these crazy times!!!!

[peterpalov]

If I want a sports car with a tailgate I would get a Mazda 3 hatch. I bought the Forester because of it's cargo room, visibility and practicality.

[travisjh]

Went from a 2018 Nissan Qashqai to a 2022 Forester touring model (Canada). The moment i sat in the forester the visibility and the amount of room had me sold. More recently with all the snow in Ontario I feel even better about my decision! Fast enough for most daily driving activities IMO. I also wouldn’t wanna constantly pay for premium gas.

[feabicyoplung]

Test drove 2021 Rav4 Prime - view out front window interrupted by A pillar, noisy over bumps, uncomfortable head rests.
2021 Mazda CX-5 - Great driving experience but it felt so claustrophobic and not enough driver side leg room.
2022 Subaru Forester - Ordered the Touring in Green.

[ks-bguk]

Standard AWD, highest resale value, better off road capabilities with x mode, tactile controls, better safety, more leg room makes the Forester the winner. Subaru also makes one of the best CVTs on the market giving an advantage with gas mileage too.

[liujun]

What a huge snow yesterday in Toronto and my forester had done its job! I saw so many cars stucked in the snow but my forester still keep moving! Although still late, better than absent working the whole day! Glad made the forester last August.

[williamcass]

Excellent comparison! I love my 2017 Forester(base model). My wife loves her 2019 CX5(signature) with heated/ventilated seats and heated steering wheel…and Bose speakers. Two very different vehicles that are appealing for different reasons.

[vihtoripuurola]

The CVT is a big buzz kill for me. Love the turbo and 6 speed transmission in the CX-5. Really looking hard at it for the next year.

[barberdean]

Another great review. I recently watched your previous review on the 2021 Subaru Forester Sport (July 3rd, 2021). After watching your review, I was able to secure a 2022 Crystal White Forester Sport for my wife from our local Subaru dealer's incoming allocation. I agree with all the points you brought up in this review. As a driving enthusiast, I'd opt for the CX-5 turbo, but my wife is more of a function over form individual when it comes to cars, and prioritizes the practicality of the Forester. Thanks again and I wish you both continued success.

[Jorge_Magallon]

Without a doubt the Mazda. Looks inside and out, driving dynamics, real auto vs CVT, available turbo. It’s not even close.

[Mrtellitlikeitis]

Pass on the CX5. I’ll take the Beauty CX9, and I don’t care about the 3rd row. Put it down for more cargo. So much better than the 5

[saltyt.]

You guys are the BEST!
Love your comparisons….and that Andrea is a Mazda Fan Girl!

[Subie-Driver]

Over the years we’ve had four Subarus. Two of those were foresters…a 1998 and a 2001. They were early models but were great for their time and as Andrea said, with a get set of snow tires will go through just about anything. The forester is on the list when we go to replace our 2011 outback…if it ever dies.

[ZuMi_rcf]

Great comparison! Our family bought the 2017 Forester back then since my wife loved it... unfortunately, I ask her each year if we can change it! Ugh. Functionality is great....but please, update the form a bit more!