Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2013–2027
The Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester were both sold for 15 model years (2013–2027). Among the CX-5's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Forester's own years, its best bet is 2024; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Mazda CX-5
Crossover · 2013–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2013–2014, 2019
Subaru Forester
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017, 2019
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy CX-5 year says nothing about whether it beats a Forester. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Mazda CX-5 | Subaru Forester | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and brakes | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly air bags and engine | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly power train and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 2026 Subaru Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $29,990 to $38,990 base price by trim, 5 trims | $29,995 to $41,595 base price by trim, 10 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp | 2.5L 4-cyl, 162–180 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 162–180 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 26 mpg | 26–35 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | 27.5–29.6 cu ft |
| Max cargo | — | 69.1–74.4 cu ft |
| Max towing | — | 1,500–3,500 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 14 | 3 · 22 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| CX-5 2.5 S lowest price, $29,990 | CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus highest price, $38,990 | Forester Base lowest price, $29,995 | Forester Touring highest price, $41,595 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Wired only | Standard | Wired only | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | — | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | Standard | — | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (CX-5, Forester).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Mazda CX-5
10 manufacturer programs on file: 4 extended coverage, 6 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Special Service Program (SSP) to extend the warranty coverage for a specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat in the coolant control valve on certain CX-5, Mazda3, CX-3, Mazda6 and CX-30… (SSPD8, 2018–2025 models)
- Extended coverage CSP13 - CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM - MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION As a result of a Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to implement a Customer Service… (CSP13, 2016–2020, 2022 models)
- Extended coverage Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. (CSP12, 2017–2019 models)
- Extended coverage For all Mazda dealers, an FAQ document for this Class Action Settlement and all documents for SSPD5 will be available on Mazda Global Service Support (MGSS) on or before May 13, 2024 concurrent with notification to the Settlement Class. (SSPD5, 2021 models)
Subaru Forester
14 manufacturer programs on file: 11 extended coverage, 3 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries. (07-207-22, 2015–2020 models)
- Extended coverage This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result of any condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin 2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines,… (02-157-14, 2010–2015 models)
- Extended coverage If a customer experiences windshield damage, inspect the damage as per the guidelines supplied in this bulletin to confirm if the damage is covered under the Warranty Extension. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car… (12-257-25, 2019–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension. (2017–2020 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2015–2016, 2018, 2020–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: CX-5 2025; Forester 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the CX-5, from $29,990 against $29,995. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Forester at 35 mpg (CX-5: 26), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.