Comparison - Subaru Forester Limited 2018 - vs - Mazda CX-50 2.5 S PREFERRED PLUS 2023

General

Other Names:

Also called:

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Also called:

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Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium Walkaround, Start up, Tour and Review
2018 Subaru Forester 2.0X Platinum Lineartronic - Kaufberatung, Test, Review
2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness Review and Off-Road Test
2019 Subaru Forester | CarGurus Test Drive Review
2023 Mazda CX-50 Review: The Price of Sportiness
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Is a CX-5 That Stands Out More
2023 Mazda CX 50 review // First Look at Mazda's new SUV
2023 Mazda CX-50 AWD Turbo Review and Off-Road Test
2023 Mazda CX-50 | MotorWeek Road Test
2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5T AWD Premium Plus - Ultimate In-Depth Look
Mazda CX-5 vs. CX-50: Definitely Buy THIS One!
2023 Mazda CX-50 AWD Turbo Review and Off-Road Test
Average Price: 
29,395
Updated: 
18 Feb 2018
£
31,940
Updated: 
28 Mar 2022
Car Type: 
SUV
SUV
Drive Type: 
All Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Year: 
2018
2023
Total Seating: 
5
5
Transmission: 
Continuously Variable-speed Automatic
6-speed Shiftable Automatic
Bluetooth: 
yes
yes
Heated seats: 
yes
yes
Navigation: 
yes
yes
Doors: 
5
5
Fuel Tank Capacity: 
15.90gals
15.80gals
Exterior Colors: 
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
Color: 
Wind Chill Pearl
#B8B8B6
Polymetal Gray Metallic
#515A67
Jet Black Mica
#040404
Ingot Blue Metallic
#4B6780
Machine Gray Metallic
#797E7F
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
#7C0212

Expert Reviews

Expert reviews: 

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

Pros
Zesty turbo engine,
high-class cabin,
pleasing to drive.

Cons
Just-average warranty coverage,
wireless smartphone charging only offered on top trim,
less headroom than in a CX-5.

By: 
caranddriver.com

Pros
Quick acceleration from optional turbocharged engine
Sharp handling
Upscale interior design
Decent off-road capability for a small crossover SUV

Cons
Ride quality is bit stiff
Slightly more expensive than rivals
Middling cargo capacity

By: 
edmunds.com

Pros
Posh, comfy interior
Zippy engine performance
Athletic handling
Many standard features

Cons
Busy ride quality
Below-average cargo space

By: 
usnews.com

Fuel

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

Engine and Performance

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

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
yes
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
Multi-function steering wheel
More in Convenience: 
Cargo Floor Mats
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Push Button Start
12-volt power outlets
Adaptive cruise control

Exterior Dimensions

Length: 
181.50in
185.80in
Width: 
70.70in
75.60in
Height: 
68.20in
63.50in
Ground Clearance: 
8.70in
8.30in
Wheel Base: 
103.90in
110.80in

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room: 
40.00
38.60
Rear Head Room: 
37.50
37.50
Front Leg Room: 
43.00in
41.70in
Rear leg room: 
38.00in
39.80in
Front Hip Room: 
53.90in
53.60in
Front Shoulder Room: 
57.00in
55.90in
Rear Hip Room: 
53.00in
52.10in
Rear Shoulder room: 
56.50in
53.60in

Weights and capacites

Cargo Capacity: 
68.50cu.ft
56.30cu.ft
Maximum Towing Capacity un-break: 
1500lbs
2000lbs
Cargo Capacity with Seats in Place: 
31.50cu.ft
31.40cu.ft
Angle of Approach: 
23.00degrees
18.00degrees
Angle of Departure: 
25.00degrees
24.00degrees
Curb Weight: 
3455.00lbs
3706.00lbs

Instruments

External Temperature Display: 
yes
no
Clock: 
yes
yes
Trip computer: 
yes
yes
Techometer: 
yes
yes
Compass: 
no
no
More Instruments: 
black background with white lettering and silver surround
Ambient temperature & clock display
7" LCD Meter Display

Power Features

Power windows: 
yes
yes
Remote Keyless doors: 
yes
yes
More Power Features: 
Heated mirrors
2 one-touch power windows
Power windows with one-touch down/up feature
Hands-Free Entry
Heated Mirrors

Seats

Rear Seat Collapsible: 
yes
yes
Front Seats Features: 
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
Height adjustable driver seat
Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support
4 -way manual passenger seat adjustment
Leatherette
Bucket front seats
8 -way power driver seat
Multi-level heating driver seat
Multi-level heating passenger seat
Rear Seats Features: 
Reclining rear seats
Folding center armrest
Split-folding rear seatback
Folding center armrest
60/40 split fold-down rear seatback with remote fold down
Rear ventilation ducts

Suspension

Front Suspension: 
Front stabilizer bar
MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension: 
Rear stabilizer bar
Torsion Beam
Suspension Info: 
Four-wheel independent suspension
Front independent suspension

Comfort

Interior air Filtration: 
yes
yes
Climate Control: 
yes
yes
More Comfort Features: 
Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
Leather Steering Wheel
Interior Air Filtration
Dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filter
Dual covered illuminated visor vanity mirrors
Turn signal in mirrors

Entertainment

DVD player: 
no
no
AM/FM Radio: 
yes
yes
Satellite radio: 
no
yes
Video monitor: 
no
no
More Entertainment: 
6 total speakers
Auxiliary audio input and USB with external media control
USB connection
10.25" full-color display
Bose® 12-speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint® 2 and AudioPilot® 2
Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability
Wireless Apple CarPlay™ integration
Android Auto™ integration
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with 3-month trial subscription3
Dual front USB audio inputs
Dual rear USB charging ports
8 total speakers
Speed sensitive volume control

Exterior Features

Sunroof: 
yes
no
Rear defogger: 
yes
yes
More in Glass and Roof: 
Intermittent rear wiper
Variable intermittent wipers
Roof rack
Power glass sunroof
Automatic rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers
Windshield wiper de-icer
Dual heated side mirrors
Alloy Wheels: 
yes
yes
Wheel size: 
17 x 7.0
17 x 7
Wheels more: 
Inside mounted spare tire
Temporary spare tire
All season tires
All season tires
Temporary spare tire
Inside mounted spare tire
Wheel Dimensions: 
Width: 
225.00millimeters
Aspect Ratio: 
60
Diameter: 
R17
Width: 
225.00millimeters
Aspect Ratio: 
65
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: 
Front ventilated disc brakes
Ventilated disc
Stability control: 
yes
yes
Rear brakes: 
rear ventilated disc brakes
Solid Disc
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: 
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
Blind spot and lane departure warnings accident avoidance system
Side-impact door beams
anti-theft system
Driver Attention Alert
Hill Launch Assist
Front seat belt pretensioners with force limiters
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system
4-wheel ABS
LED headlamp
Turn signal mirrors
Rear height adjustable headrests
Rear center 3-point belt

Options

Packages: 
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
Convenience Package
Weather Package
Cargo Package
Accent Package
Exterior Options: 
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
Trailer Hitch w/4-Pin Harness
Black Lug Nuts and Black Wheel Locks
Front and Rear Splash Guards
Machine Gray Metallic
Polymetal Gray Metallic
Silver Cross Bars
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Wind Chill Pearl
Interior Options: 
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
Retractable Cargo Cover
Carpet Cargo Mat
Premium Carpet Floor Mats

Colors

Interior Colors: 
Color: 
Black, cloth
#343436
Gray, cloth
#A9A6A3
Color: 
Black, leatherette
#2D2D2D