Comparison - Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 2018 - vs - Subaru Forester Limited 2018

General

Other Names:

Also called:

CX-5 Maxx

Also called:

--

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Model: 
Average Price: 
30,945
Updated: 
23 Feb 2018
29,395
Updated: 
18 Feb 2018
Car Type: 
SUV
SUV
Drive Type: 
All Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Year: 
2018
2018
Total Seating: 
5
5
Transmission: 
6-speed Shiftable Automatic
Continuously Variable-speed Automatic
Bluetooth: 
yes
yes
Heated seats: 
yes
yes
Navigation: 
yes
yes
Doors: 
5
5
Fuel Tank Capacity: 
15.30gals
15.90gals
Exterior Colors: 
Color: 
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
#343761
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
#E6E6E8
Eternal Blue Mica
#4D7FA6
Jet Black Mica
#000000
Machine Gray Metallic
#4A5575
Sonic Silver Metallic
#BBB9BA
Soul Red Metallic
#78191F
Color: 
Crystal Black Silica
#3D393A
Crystal White Pearl
#E7E7E7
Dark Gray Metallic
#333333
Ice Silver Metallic
#686672
Jasmine Green Metallic
#777581
Quartz Blue Pearl
#365890
Venetian Red Pearl
#882A3A

Expert Reviews

Expert reviews: 

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 ranked #2 in Compact SUVs. Currently the Mazda CX-5 has a score of 8.7 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 27 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.

Pros
Excellent handling
Comfortable, supportive seats
Upscale interior

Cons
Cumbersome infotainment system
Unimpressive cargo capacity

By: 
usnews.com

As long as cargo space isn’t your main reason for buying a compact crossover, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is an excellent, fun-to-drive choice.

Pros
Attractive styling inside and out
Poised chassis, communicative steering
Engine changes bode well for mpg
Good value, especially considering high spec level
Rear seats fold flat

Cons
Frustrating infotainment setup
Light cargo volume
Short on refinement

By: 
thecarconnection.com

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 largely carries over from the previous model year, when it was extensively redesigned. New for 2018 are such standard features as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Also new is cylinder-deactivation technology intended to improve fuel economy slightly. The 2.5-liter engine automatically shuts down the two outside cylinders at cruising speeds to maximize efficiency. Last year's Grand Select trim level has been discontinued for 2018.

PROS
Keen handling and steering make the CX-5 enjoyable to drive
Attractive and upscale cabin for a premium ownership experience
Stays quiet at highway speeds

CONS
Not as powerful as some rivals

By: 
edmunds.com

The 2018 Subaru Forester ranked #5 in Compact SUVs. Currently the Subaru Forester has a score of 8.5 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 36 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.

Pros
Excellent cargo capacity
Spacious rear seats
Good mpg ratings, even with standard all-wheel drive
Many available safety features

Cons
Interior design and build quality trail some rivals'
Fewer tech features than rivals

By: 
usnews.com

The 2018 Subaru Forester continues to offer top safety scores, remarkable space inside, and all-round versatility; it’s still one of the best small SUVs, and a good value for money.

Pros
Fun to drive, good ride
Excellent safety ratings and systems
Good outward visibility
Standard all-wheel drive
Peppy Turbo option, CVT among the best

Cons
Front seats small for some
Priciest trims still not that premium
No manual gearbox for turbo engine
Paddle shifters only on turbo

By: 
thecarconnection.com

For 2018, the Subaru Forester offers a new Black Edition trim package that adds black-finished wheels, body trim and grille. The interior also receives black cloth upholstery and black gloss dashboard trim. Limited trim levels also get a new cargo area cover, while Touring trims now include Subaru's EyeSight safety package as standard along with automatic high beams and reverse automatic braking.

PROS
All-wheel drive comes standard and doesn't sink fuel economy
High ground clearance offers better than average off-road ability
Airy interior with plenty of room for adults both front and rear
Optional turbocharged engine makes Forester very quick

CONS
Modest tow rating limits overall utility
Cabin design and materials are just average
Handling isn't as sporty as some rivals
CVT feels less responsive and refined than a traditional automatic

By: 
edmunds.com

Fuel

Fuel Type: 
Regular Unleaded
Regular Unleaded
Fuel Economy City USA: 
24.00mpg
26.00mpg
Fuel Economy HWY: 
30.00mpg
32.00mpg
Engine type: 
Petrol/Gas
Petrol/Gas

Engine and Performance

Valves: 
16
16
Cylinders: 
4
Inline
4
Flat
Engine Size/Displacement: 
2.50L
2.50L
Torque: 
186ft-lbs
at 4 000rpm
174ft-lbs
at 4 100rpm
Horsepower: 
187hp
at 6 000rpm
170hp
at 5 800rpm
Cam Type: 
Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Turning Circle: 
36.00Feet
34.80Feet

Convenience

Cruise Control: 
yes
yes
Door Pockets: 
yes
yes
Cupholders: 
yes
yes
Overhead console: 
yes
yes
Seatback Storage: 
yes
yes
Power Steering: 
yes
yes
Parking sensors: 
no
no
Steering Wheel Tilt: 
yes
yes
Telescopic steering wheel: 
yes
yes
Rear View Camera: 
yes
yes
Front view Camera: 
no
no
Side view Camera: 
no
no
On steering wheel: 
Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel
Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel
More in Convenience: 
Adaptive Cruise Control
Keyless Ignition
Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
Destination Download
Destination Guidance (Also Turn-By-Turn Navigation)
Hands-Free Calling
Cargo Floor Mats

Exterior Dimensions

Length: 
179.10in
181.50in
Width: 
72.50in
70.70in
Height: 
65.30in
68.20in
Ground Clearance: 
7.50in
8.70in
Front Track: 
62.80in
Rear Track: 
62.80in
Wheel Base: 
106.20in
103.90in

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room: 
39.30
40.00
Rear Head Room: 
39.00
37.50
Front Leg Room: 
41.00in
43.00in
Rear leg room: 
39.60in
38.00in
Front Hip Room: 
55.20in
53.90in
Front Shoulder Room: 
57.10in
57.00in
Rear Hip Room: 
55.30in
53.00in
Rear Shoulder room: 
54.80in
56.50in

Weights and capacites

Cargo Capacity: 
59.60cu.ft
68.50cu.ft
Maximum Towing Capacity un-break: 
2000lbs
1500lbs
Cargo Capacity with Seats in Place: 
30.90cu.ft
31.50cu.ft
Angle of Approach: 
19.30degrees
23.00degrees
Angle of Departure: 
22.70degrees
25.00degrees
Curb Weight: 
3693.00lbs
3455.00lbs

Instruments

External Temperature Display: 
yes
yes
Clock: 
yes
yes
Trip computer: 
yes
yes
Techometer: 
yes
yes
Compass: 
yes
no

Power Features

Power windows: 
yes
yes
Remote Keyless doors: 
yes
yes
More Power Features: 
4 one-touch power windows
Heated Mirrors
Hands-Free Entry
Heated mirrors
2 one-touch power windows

Seats

Rear Seat Collapsible: 
yes
yes
Front Seats Features: 
Multi-level heating passenger seat
8 -way power driver seat
Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support
Multi-level heating driver seat
Leather
Height adjustable driver seat
Bucket front seats
6-Way Power Passenger Seat
Height Adjustable Passenger Seat
8 -way power driver seat
Height adjustable passenger seat
Bucket front seats
Height adjustable driver seat
Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support
4-Way Manual Passenger Seat Adjustment
Leather
Multi-Level Heating Driver Seat
Multi-Level Heating Passenger Seat
Rear Seats Features: 
Split-folding rear seatback
Rear ventilation ducts
Folding with storage center armrest
Reclining Rear Seats
Reclining rear seats
Folding center armrest
Split-folding rear seatback

Suspension

Front Suspension: 
MacPherson strut front suspension
Front stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension: 
Multi-link rear suspension
Rear stabilizer bar
Suspension Info: 
Four-wheel independent suspension
Four-wheel independent suspension

Comfort

Interior air Filtration: 
yes
yes
Climate Control: 
yes
yes
More Comfort Features: 
Leather steering wheel
Turn signal in mirrors
Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
Leather Steering Wheel
Interior Air Filtration

Entertainment

DVD player: 
no
no
AM/FM Radio: 
yes
yes
Satellite radio: 
yes
no
Video monitor: 
no
no
More Entertainment: 
4 Months Of Provided Satellite Radio Service
Speed sensitive volume control
10 total speakers
Auxiliary Audio Input And USB With External Media Control
Bose premium brand speakers
Bose Premium Brand Stereo System
6 total speakers
Auxiliary audio input and USB with external media control
USB connection

Exterior Features

Sunroof: 
yes
yes
Rear defogger: 
yes
yes
More in Glass and Roof: 
Intermittent rear wiper
Privacy glass
Variable intermittent rain sensing wipers
Intermittent rear wiper
Variable intermittent wipers
Roof rack
Power glass sunroof
Alloy Wheels: 
yes
yes
Wheel size: 
19 x 7.0-In.
17 x 7.0
Wheels more: 
Inside mounted spare tire
Temporary spare tire
All season tires
Inside mounted spare tire
Temporary spare tire
All season tires
Wheel Dimensions: 
Width: 
225.00millimeters
Aspect Ratio: 
55
Diameter: 
R19
Width: 
225.00millimeters
Aspect Ratio: 
60
Diameter: 
R17

Safety Features

ABS: 
yes
yes
Front head airbags: 
yes
yes
Rear head airbags: 
yes
yes
Dual front side-mounted airbags: 
yes
yes
Emergency braking assist: 
yes
yes
Traction control: 
yes
yes
Child seat anchors: 
yes
yes
Front brakes: 
Ventilated front disc brakes
Front ventilated disc brakes
Stability control: 
yes
yes
Rear brakes: 
solid rear disc brakes
rear ventilated disc brakes
Rear door child safety locks: 
yes
yes
Daytime running lights: 
yes
yes
Engine immobilizer: 
yes
yes
Front fog lights: 
yes
yes
Dusk sensing headlamps: 
yes
yes
Auto delay off headlamps: 
yes
yes
Front headrests: 
yes
yes
Rear headrests: 
yes
yes
Tire pressure monitoring: 
yes
yes
More Safety Features: 
Turn Signal Mirrors
Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear height adjustable headrests
Rear Center 3-Point Belt
Self-Leveling Headlights
Pre-Collision Safety System
Post-Collision Safety System
2 Front Headrests
Airbag Deployment Notification
LED Headlamp
Blind-Spot And Lane Departure Warnings Accident Avoidance System
Adaptive Headlights
4-Wheel ABS
Security System Shock Sensor
Rear center 3-point belt
Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
Post-collision safety system
Remote anti-theft alarm system
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests
Blind-Spot Warning Accident Avoidance System
4-Wheel ABS
2 Front Headrests
3 Rear Headrests

Options

Packages: 
GT Premium Package
Standard Model - 2.5i Limited
Popular Package #2
EyeSight, Navigation System, Audio W/Harmon Kardon Amplifier And Speakers
Navigation System, Audio W/Harmon Kardon Amplifier And Speakers
Exterior Options: 
Roof Rails
Trailer Hitch
Wheel Locks
Front & Rear Bumper Trim Package
Rear Bumper Guard
Wheel Lock Kit (Alloy Wheels)
Body Side Molding Kit Ice Silver Metallic
Wheel Arch Moldings
Body Side Molding Kit Dark Gray Metallic
Door Edge Guard Crystal Black Silica
Door Edge Guard Ice Silver Metallic
Door Edge Guard Crystal White Pearl
Door Edge Guard Jasmine Green
Splash Guards
Rear Bumper Cover
Door Edge Guard Quartz Blue Pearl
Door Edge Guard Venetian Red Pearl
Front Bumper Underguard
Cross Bar Set - Aero
Sport Grille
Trailer Hitch And Harness
Body Side Molding Kit Jasmine Green
Door Edge Guard Dark Gray Metallic
Rear Bumper Underguard
Body Side Molding Kit Venetian Red
Body Side Molding Kit Crystal Black Silica
Body Side Molding Kit Quartz Blue Pearl
Body Side Molding Kit Crystal White Pearl
Interior Options: 
All-Weather Floor Mats
Cargo Net
Carpeted Cargo Mat
Illuminated Doorsill Trim Plates
Retractable Cargo Cover
Interior Lighting Kit
Compartment Separator
Cargo Net Rear Seat Back
Sunshade
Cargo Net Side
Auto-Dimming Mirror w/Compass
Cargo Net Rear
Tweeter Kit
Rear Seat Back Protector
All-Weather Floor Mats
STI Leather Shift Knob CVT
Footwell Illumination Kit - red
Kicker Audio Upgrade Package
Auto-Dimming Mirror w/Compass and Homelink
Speaker Kit
Side Still Plate-Front
Interior & Exterior Auto Dimming Mirror W/ Approach Lighting & Blind Spot Detection
Interior & Exterior Auto Dimming Mirror W/ Homelink & Approach Lighting & Blind Spot Detection

Colors

Interior Colors: 
Color: 
#363636
Black, leather
#D0C9C6
Sand/Parchment, leather
Color: 
Black, cloth
#343436
Gray, cloth
#A9A6A3