Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester (2026)

Price gap, MSRP + destination

$40

Scored measures. Each is scaled to the larger value. Bold: the winner.

CX-5 2.5 S AWD vs Forester AWD
Measure	CX-5	Forester	Winner
MSRP + destination	$31,485	$31,445	About the same
Horsepower	187 hp	180 hp	CX-5
Torque	186 lb-ft	178 lb-ft	CX-5
MPG combined	26 mpg	29 mpg	Forester
Cargo, max	66.5 cu ft	74.4 cu ft	Forester
Cargo, seats up	33.7 cu ft	29.6 cu ft	CX-5
Rear legroom	39.9 in	39.4 in	CX-5
Front legroom	41.7 in	43.3 in	Forester
Length	184.6 in	183.3 in	Not scored
Width	73.2 in to 75.6 in	72.0 in	N/A
Curb weight	3,856 lb	3,510 lb	Not scored
Towing	1,500 lb	1,500 lb	About the same
Seats	5	5	About the same
Ground clearance	8.0 in	8.7 in	Forester
0-60 mph	9.6 s tested	8.6 s published	Forester
Basic warranty	3 yr / 36,000 mi	3 yr / 36,000 mi	About the same

Not scored: length, width, curb weight. N/A rows are not counted.

Nearest trims by price

Each trim and the rival trim nearest in MSRP
Trim	Nearest in price	Gap
CX-5 2.5 S AWD $29,990	Forester AWD $29,995	$5
Forester AWD $29,995	CX-5 2.5 S AWD $29,990	$5

Miles a yearGas, $ per gallonElectricity, cents per kWhYears

Forester costs $957 less over 6 years.

12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh.

Weight each group from 0 to 10. MPG uses fuel or charging cost.

Price 5MPG 5Power 5Space 5Towing 5

Equal weights: Forester wins.

No single weight change flips the winner.

Your price and mpg will differ.

Reliability and safety are not included.