With their spacious interiors, feature-packed cabins, and powerful engines, the Subaru Forester and the Mazda CX-5 are two compact SUVs well-equipped to handle your busy schedule around Wakefield, Reading, and Danvers, MA. Each of these two vehicles has a lot to offer, but which one is right for you?
To help you find out, the team at Ira Subaru put together this Subaru Forester vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison. We'll walk you through each of these vehicles' features and specs, so you can see how they compare. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us!
Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5: Quick Facts
Before we discuss specific aspects of the 2023 Subaru Forester and the 2023 MAZDA CX-5 in detail, we want to highlight a few of their stand-out specs:
| Subaru Forester | Mazda CX-5 |
| 41.2 inches of front headroom | 39.7 inches of front headroom |
| 43.3 inches of front legroom | 41 inches of front legroom |
| 74.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo room | 58.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo room |
| EPA-estimated 26 city/33 highway MPG1 | EPA-estimated 24 city/30 highway2 |
This is just a sneak peek at all the Subaru Forester and the Mazda CX-5 have to offer. We'll go into more detail about each of these vehicles throughout this comparison, so you can see how they stack up against each other.
Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5: Passenger & Cargo Volume
If you're looking for a spacious SUV that's perfect for your growing family, carpooling duties, and errand runs, the 2023 Subaru Forester and the 2023 MAZDA CX-5 have a lot to offer. Each vehicle seats up to five people between two rows, so there's plenty of room for your friends and family.
In the Subaru Forester, people in the front seats will be treated to 41.2 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom, so they'll have plenty of space to stretch out. By comparison, the MAZDA CX-5 only offers 39.7 inches of front headroom and 41 inches of front legroom, so you and your front-seat passenger may not be as comfortable.
If you need space for your bags and other belongings, these SUVs provide plenty of cargo room behind the second row:
- The Subaru Forester offers a maximum cargo volume of 74.2 cubic feet.
- The Mazda CX-5 has a maximum cargo volume of 58.1 cubic feet.
With more space in the back of the Subaru Forester, you'll have room to transport your bags, groceries, gardening supplies, and more.
2023 Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5 : Cabin Amenities
To enhance passenger comfort even more, the 2023 Subaru Forester and the 2023 Mazda CX-5 offer an array of amenities that will make everyone happier during long drives. Some of these stand-out available features include:
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
These amenities allow everyone to warm up during the long winter months, so you and your passengers will be comfortable all year-round.
Additionally, the Subaru Forester offers an available 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, so you can easily find your ideal position behind the wheel. Unfortunately, the Mazda CX-5 only offers an available 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, so you may not be quite as comfortable during long drives.
Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5: Technology Features
Whenever you get behind the wheel, it's important for you and your passengers to be entertained. Both the 2023 Subaru Forester and the Mazda CX-5 come standard with high-tech infotainment features, so you and your passengers will enjoy every journey.
Each SUV's standard infotainment system comes with an in-car display that's compatible with the following:
- Apple CarPlay®
- Android Auto™
- Bluetooth®
With these features, you can connect your smartphone to your car in just a few quick steps, providing access to all your favorite apps, music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.
Additionally, the Subaru Forester comes standard with SiriusXM® and SiriusXM® Travel Link® that provide access to even more infotainment amenities. Unfortunately, the Mazda CX-5 does not come standard with these features.
2023 Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5: Safety Features
While it's important that you and your passengers are comfortable and entertained whenever you're on the road, everyone's safety is, of course, top priority. The engineers of the 2023 Subaru Forester and 2023 Mazda CX-5 take safety seriously, so you can drive confidently, knowing everyone is well-protected.
Each of these SUVs comes standard with an array of safety features that will help keep you and your loved ones safe. Some of these safety systems include the following:
- Brake Assist
- Lane Departure and Sway Warning
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering
These active safety technologies help protect you and your passengers by monitoring the road and alerting you to any potential issues. That way, you can have peace of mind, knowing your SUV is well-equipped to help keep everyone safe.
Additionally, the Subaru Forester comes standard with a DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System. This impressive feature uses an in-cabin camera to monitor the driver and detects when they may need to take a break from driving, so you can feel confident your SUV is looking out for you. Unfortunately, the MAZDA CX-5 does not offer a similar feature.
Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5: Performance Specs
No matter where the road takes you, it's important that your SUV has the power to get to your destination with ease. Both the 2023 Subaru Forester and the 2023 MAZDA CX-5 offer impressive performances and feature lively acceleration, agile handling, and noteworthy fuel-economy ratings, so you'll be able to power through your busy schedule in no time.
Each of these SUVs is designed to keep you on the road longer, and they feature the following fuel-economy ratings:
- The 2023 Subaru Forester achieves an EPA-estimated 26 city/33 highway MPG.1
- The 2023 Mazda CX-5 has an EPA-estimated 24 city/33 highway MPG.2
With its more fuel-efficient engine, the 2023 Subaru Forester is well-equipped to handle long commutes and road trips since you won't need to stop for gas as often.
Additionally, the Subaru Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. This system can redistribute torque between the front and rear wheels before wheel slip occurs. Overall, you'll get better traction and handling, along with a quicker response to road conditions, giving you great peace of mind. The 2023 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, comes standard with front-wheel drive.
Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5: Which Compact SUV Is Right for You?
We hope this 2023 Subaru Forester vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison has been helpful to drivers looking for their next SUV. Each of these vehicles has a lot to offer, but we believe the Subaru Forester is the better choice for drivers around Wakefield, Reading, and Danvers, MA.
If you'd like to see the 2023 Subaru Forester for yourself, contact us or stop by Ira Subaru today! When you visit our dealership, a member of our team will happily show you this impressive SUV and walk you through all its features and amenities. Then, you can take it for a test drive to experience it firsthand and see if it's right for you.
1 EPA-estimated fuel economy. Actual mileage may vary. For Crosstrek Hybrid, EPA-estimated MPG equivalent on a full battery charge. Actual mileage will vary.
2 EPA-estimated mileage. Actual results will vary.
