2023 Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester Comparison & 0-60 / Hard Call

While each of these has their own distinct pros and cons, the Forester and CX-5 are both reliable, straightforward, well-handling, affordable small suvs. Today I want to find out which one is the better equipped to take on the full segment with players like the Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander and more.
@carquestion Video on the CX-5’s AWD
• Mazda CX-5 AWD diagona...
Thank you, Royal on the Eastside & Royal South Mazda for letting me test drive these two!
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[@matty_o]

CX5 has USB in rear arm rest

[@joepowell7025]

Exactly ... Not very well checked was it ?

[@Kvickification]

2 Ports even! 😅

[@AlaskaErik]

I don't know what my Forester has back there because I never sit there.

[@russellmcmahon2739]

I have 2021 Forrester and the front drivers seat side panel has broken 5 times, they refuse to fix this under warranty so I would steel clear of Subaru as their warranty is bad, this is my fourth Subaru but due to their lack of assistance this will be my last. The Mazda seems to have a better build

[@KevinJDildonik]

Only Forester Premium and up have USB. I've had 2 Foresters due to a big move. Literally zero issues with either. The 2021 seemed to have some questionable damping so it was a roller coaster over big bumps. But the 2022 was perfect.

[@brettwheeler7753]

Can't content on the Suburu, but I had a 2016 CX5 that we bought at a year old with about 19,000 miles. Drove it until about 165,000 and it was excellent! Only time in the shop was for oil changes, brake pads, and changing the cabin filters. Gas mileage was excellent. Highly recommended.

[@ontarioman6301]

i Went with cx-5 turbo. 4 yrs later , no issues. love the driving performance

[@richardlau2447]

Awesome

[@eloyzamora4461]

How many miles so far?

[@TechyGamer]

Not a Forester, but I got a Outback last May after planning to get a CX-5. On the test drive, the Outback was the easier car, felt smooth, basic, great visibility, lots of room. I always explained it as the CX-5 being what I wanted and the Outback being what I needed (for my lifestyle). After doing more research over the past many months I wish I got the CX-5. Everything I've read has led me to believe that the Outback has lots of small maintenance issues whereas the CX-5 tends to go a while with nothing but fluid changes. After my Nissan Rogue, I swore to never get another CVT but here I am. The speakers in the Outback are subpar, and I have grown to dislike the big screen. Not to mention the amount of rattles that appeared. I miss physical buttons. Contemplating trading to a CX-5 but that is easier said than done obviously. Both great cars but for what I am going for the CX-5 now seems like a better option.

[@boboiboy9350]

We hv always fancied something that we dont hv, right?

[@pilotdog68]

After watching so many reviews I was convinced that I was going to buy a CX-5 no question. But after driving one I found the driving dynamics unremarkable. The Forester actually felt a lot more fun and tossable. I was still considering the CX-5 just because the build quality and cabin is impeccable. But ultimately I had to rule out the Mazda when I tried the kids car seats in the back. It's just too small. Now I'm down to CR-V and Forester

[@DiaperGranny11]

@@pilotdog68I found the CX 5 exhilarating. I drove a forester afterwards and while it didn’t have the same wow factor, the CVT was smooth, and it definitely felt more like I could whip it around noreb

[@tomaskroupakkfoto4132]

Yep, Subaru have mainly great chasis and awd system. Rest is garbage. CTV is pain, engine is shit. Oil leaks from all oil filled parts...But until it´s on road, it´s good.

[@tomaskroupakkfoto4132]

@@pilotdog68 I do not get it, because Forester is smidge bigger that CX-5

[@kurtstephan7039]

Thanks for doing this comparison--the CX-5 almost always gets pitted against the CRV and RAV4, but as you point out, the Forester is a direct competitor also, although the CX-50 is aimed more at the Subie crowd than the CX-5. I bought a new CX-5 (non-turbo) last fall and still thoroughly enjoy every drive. It replaced a hot hatch (Fiesta ST) because I needed a bigger, better all-arounder. What's surprised me is how close the CX-5 is in terms of everyday driving fun, even though obviously it doesn't approach the ST by any performance metric. But I actually prefer the steering feel of the CX-5, and steering is one of the ST's strong points! In contrast, I've driven a lot of late-model Subaru crossovers (and the household had a Crosstrek for many years) and find them mundane--although hardly bad--to drive. I was never remotely tempted to push them on twisty roads, whereas the CX-5 is a lot of fun in the curves, just begging to be flung around with enthusiasm. Plus I worked at a Subie dealership for awhile and was surprised how many relatively low-mileage cars were coming back with engine or CVT issues. But I know a number of people with 2017 or later Mazda crossovers (mostly CX-5s), and none of them have had any problems. I totally get the appeal of the Forester though, and for a lot of people, it's the right choice. Your video is an excellent buyer's guide for people who aren't considering a Honda or Toyota (there are actually some of us out there!).

[@Realistick]

Glad you enjoyed it, that’s a good point, the CX-50 really feels more like a Forester competitor than it does an Outback foe (the way the lineup and pricing would suggest), maybe I’ll have them throw down in a future video with a CR-V or something to spruce it up!

[@frederickbalfe88]

OK I

[@junfwang2979]

”Plus I worked at a Subie dealership for awhile and was surprised how many relatively low-mileage cars were coming back with engine or CVT issues. But I know a number of people with 2017 or later Mazda crossovers (mostly CX-5s), and none of them have had any problems.“ Is it possible that it's because you're in the dealership, so all the foresters that come in and you can see are the broken ones 🤣

[@anthonyfrombelow]

​@@junfwang2979Pipe down.... Wang.

[@AlaskaErik]

I already made my choice. I bought a 2022 Forester Wilderness. I'm 6' 2", so I like the taller seating arrangement. I also find it to be more utilitarian, as I drive it on back country roads. I definitely don't like the iPad infotainment screen in the Mazda. I just hit 8000 miles in my Forester and I'm very happy with my choice.

[@musket1122]

Are you still enjoying driving it? I'm looking into getting the Sport trim and everything about it checks my boxes for a SUV but the only thing that stood out to me from this video were his comments on the Forester not blowing him away on driving appeal.

[@AlaskaErik]

@@musket1122 A year and a half after getting it and I still really like it. No regrets whatsoever.

[@cormaro13]

You must like getting less features for the same price lol you lost hud and adaptive cruise control , now you can enjoy knowing that subaru not making past the 100k without a reseal process and the whole engine has to come out for that Enjoy that trash lol

[@AlaskaErik]

@@cormaro13 All new Foresters come with adaptive cruise control. As for HUD, it's a car, not a fighter aircraft. The head gasket problem was fixed years ago. You're obviously overcompensating for something if you denigrate Subarus when you know hardly anything about them.

[@cormaro13]

@@AlaskaErik nah just know who's the better brand and why most people switch to mazda from it lol , when the whole engine is made of rtv silicone there a problem lol then needing to take the engine out before 100k is sad lol And hud has been around for a decade they need to get with the times , it's just a extra feature to stop looking down so often lol

[@dianejohnson3857]

I had a Subaru Outback 2008 which got totaled in an accident not my fault 😮 I replaced it with a Mazda CX-5 which I absolutely love ❤️ Luxury and so fun to drive!

[@hiyahandsome]

Really like the way you thoroughly describe each vehicle then recap the plusses and minuses at the end. I admire the sleek Mazda but the proportions and competence of the Forester appeal to me more, plus the fact that NW CT where I drive a lot, sadly has many crappy roads like those in Indiana. Until the roads improve, my vote is for the Forester. Cheers~

[@lisamunoz9727]

Forester! I have a nine year old unit and am buying a new Forester… keeping my older unit as well. I feel safe driving a Forester!!

[@davidingram5965]

Earlier Forester had CVT problem and I lost confidence in the car. Bought a CX-5 and the transmission is smooth plus the car rides and handles very nicely.

[@firefly9838]

After 2017 I believe they fixed it.

[@CapInYoAss035]

That's bad thing about subaru. They ditched the traditional transmission, and went CVT. Good thing about Mazda is they're still using the traditional auto trans. But, subaru still makes good cars.

[@paulmccoy6431]

Your word choice and structure for these reviews is amazing man. Sometimes I watch these comparisons for fun and even as someone not looking I have no idea what the winner or the true pros and cons are.

[@Realistick]

Thanks, they take a lot of effort and editing takes forever as I truly am quite scatterbrained, so I appreciate you noticing!

[@robertd9850]

Yep. "Darty" steering, "tattered" road. Perfect descriptions.

[@jefftait622]

I considered both, went with the Forester. Love the visibility and room. Its like driving around in a greenhouse.

[@CrankyGrandma]

This is one of the main reasons Forester is number one on my next car list

[@shauntakata1762]

@@CrankyGrandma don't forget the HighBeam assist which automatically adjusts the high beam, steering adaptive head lights and eye sight which prevents forward collisions.

[@Kvickification]

@@shauntakata1762 Mazda has the same tech for the CX-5 tho

[@davidanderson8469]

I hope the 2024 Foresters have better seats. My wife and I would buy one. The International Auto Show is coming so we'll sit in the new ones.

[@sexyscentangel]

Much better. I've had 2 back surgeries and still have an inoperable, herniated lumbar disc.....the Forester was so much more comfortable! Also, I feel like I'm sitting in a cabin instead of a cockpit.@@davidanderson8469

[@TommyG11814]

I just bought a CX 5 in this soul red and it is amazing and want to talk about simple to work on and do all of your own maintenance, this is it very happy with it and would highly recommend it

[@tntmyth]

This was a great comparison. The CX-5 and Forester are in the top 5 on my shopping list this year for a new compact SUV. Probably in the top 3. The differences come down to just what you said. Fun and extra quality vs practicality. On paper, I think I lean towards getting the CX-5 for a number of reasons. 6-speed auto, no stop/start, more luxurious interior, handles in the hatch area to fold down the rear seats on all trims, ventilated driver seat, chi wireless charger, turbo option, fun to drive. These are all features the CX-5 has over the Forester. And, as you said, the CX-5 more represents my values. The Forester wins with more interior and cargo room, better mileage, bigger sunroof, and CD player built into the stereo. Yes, I still love CDs for the sound quality but I can always move all my music to my phone or a memory stick. If I lived in an area with crappy roads, I would lean towards the Forester, but I live in South Florida where the roads are mostly smooth. Ventilated seats would be a big plus in this heat. Standard AWD in both cars is a plus with all the rain we get here. Anyways the other cars in my top 5 list are the Rav4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Outback. I like RDX as well, but probably won't spend that much.

[@insekta1701]

Hi, I bought a 2021 CX-5 Preferred Plus in September 2022, and I have no regrets. I test drove a brand new turbo version, but ended up going with a 2021 that had 4,382 miles on it from a Mini dealership near me. The CX-5 reminds me a lot being in a Mercedes C-250, or something along those lines. I also drove the Subaru Forester Wilderness, and while I enjoyed it, I found the CX-5 to be much more comfortable and exactly what I was looking on comfort and quality. Another reason I went with the CX-5 to s the noise dampening aspects that Mazda has put into the underside of the car and the type of glass in the windows. I drove 18- wheelers for a few years and all one hears driving such a huge vehicle is constant wind and road noise and I think it has left me in a sort of traumatized state in that I just can’t handle it and I get very agitated. If you’re looking for quieter comfort, the CX-5 is the way to go as it is way more comfortable than the Subaru and much, much more elegant. The AC in the CX-5 is great in the hotter months as it BLASTS cold air out the vents! I live in central Florida so I understand on the heat here. I’m not sure you’re willing to travel, but Orlando Mini often has CX-5’s in their used section, and that’s where I bought my car, and it was in absolutely pristine condition. My salesmen’s name was Andrew, and he will bend over backwards to be as helpful as possible should decide to go see any cars at Orlando Mini.

[@firefly9838]

You can turn the stop/start off in the Forester I'm pretty sure.

[@brettwheeler7753]

I had a CX5 for 6 years and it was excellent! I'm also on my seven Honda, and the Mazda was just as reliable.

[@joshporter5459]

​@firefly9838 yes,with the push of a button. 😁

[@brianmontgomery2779]

Great review, I really enjoy your balanced approach in all your videos, except for one thing I’ve noticed in almost all your Subaru reviews…2012 was the last year for the engine family (EJ25) that had head gasket issues for Subaru so I don’t think it’s relevant to keep mentioning that in regards to reliability in every Subaru review you do

[@Realistick]

Thanks, you're right that it was the last year they had big issues with it, which is why I say that it is a past issue but the design itself is still something that is more susceptible to that kind of failure than a standard inline 4. If I say the headgasket issue is over or not relevant enough to mention, there will be a ton of subie people (and haters) that will point that out.

[@nicksrandomviews1296]

I had a 2018 outback and around 80k miles the cvt transmission started to get a little sloppy and doing some really weird things especially on acceleration from a stop. I traded it in 2021 on a new mazda cx5 and I love it. The handling is way better and just overall a better class of vehicle and just has a much better feeling of quality.

[@Doc1855]

The fluid in any transmission should be replaced at 30K miles. I change the front and rear differential, transfer case and transmission flush every 30K miles and have never had any problems with them. I do this on all 3 of our vehicles. I also have the oil changed every 4K miles with Kirkland full synthetic oil. We drive our vehicles until they reach 250-300K miles and they’re still in good condition when we sell them.

[@falee2959]

you say 4k miles, is 4000 miles.?

[@nicksrandomviews1296]

I changed the transmission fluid in it every 40k miles and always change the oil with full synthetic every 4k miles and changed the front and rear diffs at 50k. In the 2018 subarus they extended the warranty to 100k miles on the transmission because they knew they had issues. The transmission in them is about 7k bucks because it's a cvt. I've been a mechanic for over 20 years now so I know what I'm doing.

[@falee2959]

@@nicksrandomviews1296 thanks a lot,I had a Subaru Forester now,feel boring considering trade in Mazda cx 5 premium plus 2023 any advice? thank you

[@nicksrandomviews1296]

@Fa Lee your not going to go wrong with a newer cx-5 since they got away from Ford their quality has been top notch mutch like Toyota but definitely use a good full synthetic oil every 4k miles and do a drain and fill on the transmission every 40k miles and get the differential fluids changed about every 50k miles and you will have a very reliable vehicle for well over 200k miles. If you have any other questions just ask.

[@tmntchad]

I worked at a Dealership service department that serviced both brands for 4 years. Forester is solid, but CX-5 has it beat hands down, no contest, when it comes to long term reliability.

[@boboiboy9350]

Whats that mazda did much better than the forester in terms of reliability?

[@mediocrepronator6269]

@@boboiboy9350Mazda still uses automatic transmissions while Subaru uses a cvt. While cvt reliability has come a long way and is night and day from when they were first introduced, currently automatic transmissions are more reliable and durable. Although one day cvts will be at the same level.

[@jorgecontrerasperez2700]

Jaaaaaaa😂

[@spawn11]

Hahaha yeah right if u say so. But didn't explain how and why??

[@tmntchad]

@spawn11 First thing that comes to mind is the Subaru engines had much more large repairs needed than the Mazdas. Also when there was a leak, say, front timing cover. CX5 was a 3 hour job. Subaru boxer leaked far more often, and required pulling the motor. Way more oil consumption issues with the Subaru's. The windshields, with the Eyesight camera systems the Subarus use, those windshields are far more susceptible to damage. Easily replaced 10 Subaru windshields to 1 Mazda. Those huge infotainment systems Subaru uses is laggy and buggy. Maintenance, just shop the price of a spark plug change on a Subaru, then a Mazda.

[@joshporter5459]

We bought my wife the 2023 Forester Wilderness and she loves it. I love it too. I am considering buying one for myself.

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

I had the benefit of driving a family member's Subaru Forester before driving a CX-5. The Forester felt like it wants to be a mid-trim Toyota Corolla Cross that could drive off-road. The Mazda CX-5 felt like it wants to be a Lexus RX AWD available for a lower price than the Toyota Corolla Cross.

[@WinstonMakes]

I traded in a 2016 Forester XT for a 2019 CX-5 Turbo. The practically of the Forester was a step above almost all, the boxiness made it roomy and had great visibility. But even with the turbo power in the previous gen Forester, the CVT made it feel awful. I had to put a couple mods into it to make it drive more sharply. The CX-5 was amazing in comparison. Drove brilliantly, quality felt near-luxury. Options like a heads up display and ventilated seats made the Subaru feel like an antique in comparison. And say what you will about a six speed auto being "old", but the turbo had such a smooth torque curve you never felt like you were hunting for a better gear. If you need the utility, if you *actually* go off road, get the Forester. But if you spend the majority of your time on pavement and you're not hauling mountain bikes or something, treat yourself and get the Mazda.

[@brandonford3401]

I'm curious what you thought of the back seat leg room and cargo difference between the two? Obviously different years but should be comparable still. I'm thinking of getting a 2019 CX5 Turbo as well for the driving quality, but am worried it is too much of a step down from what Forester offers in these areas.

[@WinstonMakes]

@@brandonford3401 Rear legroom is adequate, but like an inch less than larger SUVs like Forester, CR-V. Still comfortable. And still able to fit 8 foot lumber for home improvement projects if you drop the rear seats and angle it into the passenger seat area. However if you have an infant in a rear-facing seat it will be cramped. Front passenger needs to move up significantly. For luggage stowing purposes, the CX-5 trunk is totally fine for a family IMO, but the slightly sloping roofline is at a disadvantage for big boxes. Two times, when I bought stuff for the house (toilet and fire pit), the box was scraping the headliner as I was trying to cram it into the car. Boxiness of the Forester would have been an advantage there. I think it largely comes down to your needs and what else you might have in your driveway. If the CX-5 is going to be the biggest car in your household, AND you have/will have infants or large things to carry, go Forester. If you need an everyday driver and dont have any out of the ordinary cargo requirements, I still *love* taking the CX-5 on my commute vs the wife's car.

[@nildadel9795]

@@brandonford3401I’m trading my cx5 for forester . I love my Mazda but I have a child and leg room in the back is cramped . If you are single cx5 is great ! If you Harv family will be tight . Forester has better visibility than Mazda . I loved Mazda looks but forester is better .

[@boboiboy9350]

@@nildadel9795many people wont be pleased to hear that you prefer forester over their glorified mazda. Lol

[@BlitzHack]

I have the 2023 CX5 Preferred and bought it because it has a non turbo engine and a regular transmission. I also love the fact that it does not have start stop feature. My last car had that and drove me nuts. There is a video on how complicated those start stop systems are and they don't even save any gas. By the way I really like this Mazda.

[@rickj9615]

I test drove a 2024 CX five premium non-turbo and I got news for everybody. They do have start stop in them now and I think cylinder deactivation… There’s clearly a little green light that says “Istop“ and there is a button to disable it, so CX fives now have this feature… at least on the model I drove

[@BlitzHack]

I am glad I bought the 2023 model when I did. I hate that start stop pain in the rear. @@rickj9615

[@fernandoacosta7513]

I have owned a Forester 2022 for a year now.... great vehicle, very smooth ride and comfortable..... I have owned other Japanese brands as well, they are all top quality..... I find that the main difference with CX-5, Rav4 and CR-V is basically: 1) its AWD system (that is available in all trims and is really reliable), and 2) its ground clearence (highest in the market). For traveling and weekend trips is the best option in the market in my opinion. For daily driving in the city and traffic jams I use a Corolla (I very much prefer driving this car and not the Forester in the city, can't imagine riding the subbie in traffic jams, it seems to me that it's too much of car for it).

[@mavisjones4750]

I purchased a CX-5 Carbon Edition. Have had for 2 months and so far, no complaints. In Subaru, I looked at the Crosstrek. In test driving, I liked the Crosstrek but liked the CX-5 just a bit more, plus leery of the CVT transmission.

[@eskieman3948]

Nothing to be leery of on the Subaru CVT transmissions, one of the best you can get. You're listening to too many BS car reviewers and KZbin trolls. Tell me - if CVT transmissions are something to be 'leery" of, why are so many car manufacturers (INCLUDING Toyota) introducing them into their vehicle line ups, hmmm?

[@joyholly4258]

For me you made the right choice because the Crosstrek did poorly in the updated side impact and overlap tests. The CX-5 aced those tests.

[@firefly9838]

@@eskieman3948because they are cheap. They want to keep cost down.

[@boboiboy9350]

@@joyholly4258mazda fanboys cant sleep without checking every other comments here. It seems lol

[@joyholly4258]

Not sure who you mean, but I'm a Subaru Forester driver! Just for safety, the Mazda Cx-5 rates better than Crosstrek on the side impact tests. I test drove the Mazda CX-5 but still wound up with another Subaru! The CVT has been fine, too--no issues. The only thing I don't like is the gas mileage but I dunno what I expected from a heavy Lego brick that I mostly drive in the city. @@boboiboy9350

[@joepowell7025]

I've never had an issue with the gears on the Mazda neither have any other car testers for that matter... In fact, they praise the 6 speed regular transmission as one of the best !

[@consciousawakening4799]

Savagegeese has repeatedly stated that Mazdas 6 speed is the best mainstream (non-luxury) automatic transmission. You might want to check his channel out.

[@joepowell7025]

@@consciousawakening4799 thank you i shall.

[@jonschisselman6640]

Great video. I own both (2022 Forester Sport and 2021 CX5 Grand Touring) and I think the video gets it 100% right: the Forester will have more universal appeal, but a driving enthusiast will strongly prefer a CX5. The CX5 is a joy to drive, but buyer beware, because the seats are brutal for me personally (really unforgiving bottom seat bolsters.) It's a beautiful car, and looks significantly more expensive next to the Forester, but when it comes to virtually everything utilitarian, the Forester wins out. The safety systems on the Forester are better and so is the gas mileage. The seats in the Forester are more comfortable, the backseat and cargo space are noticeably larger, and having a touch screen infotainment makes life a lot easier. And, yeah, it isn't as engaging as the CX5 to drive, but it is a still a joy thanks to the massive windows and great visibility. The cabin is so much lighter and more airy than the CX5 which is dark and drab by comparison. Personally, I find the Subaru a lot easier to live with everyday and much better car, by far, for a family. But if you're a single person or a driving enthusiast, it won't be a comparison and the CX5 will be the clear winner.

[@keathy1960]

CX 5 Deisel better choice

[@bmetal2]

you should also realize already, the lane keep assist in CX5 is a joke. It can not keep the lane!! Subaru's lane keep assist is great and it is a must for me for long highway commutes.

[@boboiboy9350]

What makes the cx5 is more engaging car to drive? Boxer engine is more fun to drive than average in line engine configuration right? And given the low centre gravity nature makes the handling better and the symmetrical AWD offers huge grip ability. What do you think about it?

[@mooreshady]

😂 you are joking right. No way cx5 is not a family car

[@kevinb2844]

thank you

[@genzigzag]

Test drove a CX-5 Turbo a couple weeks ago... really impressed. I am waiting for the CX-70 that should be coming later this year...

[@Realistick]

Im really interested in that one too, worried about the potential price though!

[@saltyt.1886]

I’m interested in the CX-70 and worry about the price too. Hopefully Tuesday the 31st at the CX-90 reveal we will have some more info!

[@paulh6517]

I am guessing the CX-70 will be in the 50-52k range loaded. I hope its not more and grab your ankles for the dealer markup.

[@nandernugget]

@@saltyt.1886 I forgot which car journalist asked, but someone at the CX-90 reveal asked a Mazda official what the price is, and while they didn’t answer with a specific number, they said to reference the price difference of the CX-90 to the CX-9 as similar to the price difference to the CX-50 and CX-5. This suggest that the price bump won’t be extreme, but it will be more expensive. I believe the base CX-70 will most likely start around the CX-5 Carbon Edition price tag

[@ivalterbaptista2305]

What a letdown. Its basically a cx-90 without the third row seats.

[@jimbon88]

We have a CX-30 and love it. We have owned Audis and the quality of the Mazda interior is close to being on par with them. The Mazda has a German car practicality that I like. The simpleness of the engine and all-wheel drive design is a plus for longevity. The styling isn't like the boring cars in this class and the classic Mazda zoom-zoom handling much like German vehicles beats the other offerings. And when was the last time you needed fog lights anyway?? It's rude and illegal to use fog lights at all times for merely driving in the dark. And CVT? Come on man! Car people don't drive CVT's. But the best selling point is NO STOP/START. I passed on every model with that annoying feature. In my opinion, the Mazda is a driver's car. Enjoy!

[@Jcruzer70]

Most cars can disable the start/stop feature. Shouldn't be a deal breaker at all.

[@jimbon88]

@@Jcruzer70 Most cars where? In my experience the salesperson told me "No" or gave me a blank stare when asked about disabling the stop/start feature. There may be internet work arounds for some of them, but not all. A lot of people don't want to go the "work around" route.

[@Jcruzer70]

I researched about 20 cars before I decided on mine(Bronco Sport) Mostly compact and mid size SUV's/CUV's. Can't recall one that didn't have that disable button. Again, if that is really a deal breaker, then you win.

[@FeedThatAddiction]

Does your CX-30 have the cylinder deactivation feature? I know Chevy Silverado's were notorious for having engine issues due to that feature? I'm afraid to buy a car with it.

[@jimbon88]

@@FeedThatAddiction No. The CX-30 has no such cylinder deactivation technology. I would not buy it if it had that kind of technology on it. Something else that can break.

[@subiesojourner777]

I've driven both, along with the Toyota RAV4 , Honda CRV and Volkswagen Tiguan. After much debating with myself I've landed on buying the Subaru Forester Wilderness. For me, I don't want a turbo, the 2.5 NA engine is just fine. Now I'll wait to see what the 2024 will offer. If it has that big honkin screen like the Outback, then I'll go with the 2023.

[@boboiboy9350]

Mazda fanboys wont be pleased to hear you picked the subarus over their glorified cars. Lol

[@DiaperGranny11]

What did you decide?

[@subiesojourner777]

@@DiaperGranny11 In January I bought a 2024 autumn green Forester Wilderness. I've got just over 5k miles so far not one issue.

[@vimalvinodan636]

I picked Mazda CX-5 after test driving both Forester and CX5. I just felt more connected to the road and the interior feels much more premium. Subaru has to work on its busy interior layout. In addition, the adaptive cruise control, Heads up display and the Tech in general on Mazda CX-5 felt superior.

[@vimalvinodan636]

@@layne4376It was an easy choice for me as 99% of my driving is on Roads. I love the handling of Mazda on Roads for its money. It was very close to my Audi which costs double the price.

[@Pogey_Bait]

Lower center of gravity of the boxer engine handles much better around curves. Also hope you don't live in an area where it snows and they salt the roads, as your Mazda will start rusting very quickly.@@vimalvinodan636

[@owennspark8450]

I bought a new 2022 CX9GT & couldn't be happier , with the performance of the 2.5 turbo, handling & with all the equipment bells & whistles including 20 inch alloys ,sunroof, head up display ,12 speaker & sub woofer Bose sound system auto tailgate etc. The fuel consumption runs about 9.5 litres/ 100km ... yeah I know metric here in Australia not the most economicalcompared to a diesel but Zoom Zoom !. A great drive for a large 7 seater on the road 👏

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

I just bought a 2023 Mazda CX-5 Turbo and I frankly, love it. I went to look at a Forester but the dealer said he didnt have any to test drive, lol. Sure. Pros: The Turbo is a very enjoyable driving experience. It's a seriously solid vehicle that I feel safe in. I don't mind the dial screen that much. Cons: To use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, you must use a USB C cord. I'm not able to use the wireless charging pad so far - I'm still troubleshooting. I had a Subaru Legacy many years ago and loved it but when it approached 100k, everything started to fail - it was constantly in the shop for something, so I bought a Honda instead. I still think the Mazda CX-5 Turbo was the way to go for me.

[@jeffmorse645]

Great review. Yeah, Subaru seats are really good. I bought a '21 Legacy just for that reason (nappa leather, pull out thigh extension). I've had a few loaners while the dealer has chased rattles (Crosstrek, Outback) and even their low spec cloth seats were better than average. Plus the ride quality on every current Subaru I've driven has been very good. I haven't driven a CX-5, but I have read a number of reviews and forum posts saying its seats and ride quality could be better (although its quiet). I couldn't pick without an hour or two with each. I will say after a low mileage oil pan leak on my turbo Legacy the reliable powertrain in the Mazda would be a big draw.

[@paulpetersen3764]

We recently had to replace my wife's car - she had a Mazda 3 that she liked, but was having trouble with her knees and wanted a vehicle with a higher stance and an automatic transmission. We immediately considered the Mazda cx-30 and cx-5, but the only cars coming out of the Mazda factory were loaded with a outlandishly high (for us) price tag for a number of options we not only didn't want to pay for, but didn't want, Period. We went across the street to a Subaru dealer and found base model Foresters available. The price was reasonable, and we ended driving it home. So far, my wife is happy with it, and I can live with it, but I miss having that third pedal when driving it.

[@jasonburnette7075]

I had a 24 Forester as a rental and I hated it. Bought a 24 CX-5 turbo a couple weeks ago, love it.

[@robertd9850]

I bought a slightly used CX-5 Grand Touring, now called the Premium I believe, last year. I wanted a premium car but not luxury prices and this is about as close as you can get. Nicest car I've ever had and a blast to drive. Perfect balance between acceleration, handling, and ride. Great for a single person or couple but not a good choice if you will have adults in the back on a long trip.

[@jjjiljjjj]

A single person or couple don't need a SUV to drive around the city/burbs.

[@scooter5940]

@@jjjiljjjj Jesus. A compact SUV like this is a compact car without the trunk. Dumb comment.

[@sdelcegno]

​@@jjjiljjjj whynot doesn't everyone take trips to home Depot etc. I literally fill my grand Cherokee up several times a week.

[@vincemaribel]

How is the cabin noise? Several mazdas I have been in seemed a bit loud.

[@robertd9850]

@@vincemaribel Very quiet cabin. Some road noise leaks through on concrete roads at higher speeds but not bad.

[@ryanmichaelmurphy572]

I appreciate that this comparative review includes factory recalls for both.

[@Ammut88]

I own an older forester, and hate to say it, but it’s given me nothing but problems. Every time I turn around there’s a 1200 repair bill. I’ve had multiple Mazdas in the past. I’ve finally had it with the forester and will be heading back to Mazda.

[@ivalterbaptista2305]

went with the CX-5. No regrets at all. Its a great crossover. Plus, i really don't like the way cvts drive and they don't have a very good track record for reliability. The 6spd in the cx5 is sooo smooth and fast shifting. It really is a great transmission. Also i like the look of the cx5 over the forester.

[@JamesSchell-x2o]

Two weeks ago I test drove both a '24 Mazda CX5 Premium and a '24 Subaru Forester Touring. I like the beautiful CX5's interior. Plus it drove nice. I wasn't thrilled that it didn't have driving lights nor the location of the Navigation screen or a Heated Steeting Wheel. The Forester had all the bells and whistles. And Facial recognition is certainly a plus. I didn't notice the lack of power compared to the CX5 even though it has 5 less HP. So last week I took the plunge and purchased a '24 Subaru Forester Touring.

[@boboiboy9350]

Good call. I wouldnt want to drive every other people’s cars like mazda. Boring design though arguably really nice but it looks around the same as cx5 10 years ago.

[@sexyscentangel]

The CX-5 looks like ALL the compact SUV's these days. You feel like you are sitting in a cockpit, and the visibility is crap. In a Forester, you feel like you are in an actual cabin.@@boboiboy9350

[@johnnumbat9782]

Thanks for a good review young fellah - here in Tasmania there are more Subarus per citizen than elsewhere in Australia and the ACT (Canberra) has the highest number of Foresters per citizen in Australia - I’ve owned 10 Subarus from the Leone station wagon through to a WRX and XT Turbo Forester - I stopped buying Subarus when the car maker introduced the awful CVT - I now drive a Toyota Hilux but still have my trusty 2007 Forester Auto non-turbo as a daily commuter. We don’t use salt for snow management so it’s very rare to see rust on a Subaru which are all imported from Japan - the Mazda has pretend AWD (it’s not always there when you need it) and too harsh a ride for my comfort.

[@IanSRutter]

Nice review, until you mentioned the Subaru head gasket problems at 16:45. Here is a quick run down of those problems, which cars and when. 1999-2010 Forester 1999-2011 Impreza 2000-2009 Outback 2000-2009 Legacy 2003-2005 Baja For the CVT, as long as you regularly service the CVT, it will not give you problems. Don't go heavy 4WD mountain trekking, it's not designed for that. You will overheat the CVT and ruin it. Also, many people do make the mistake of Subaru's CVT problems with Nissan. Nissan's has real bad problems. Shame. Now, I'm talking from the perspective of living in Taiwan, and servicing over here is every 3,500 miles and for that, cars last. I've love Subaru, had a Legacy from 2009 until 2020 and nothing went wrong, Regularly services. Forester is great, also. Mazda, great and reliable also. Oil is cheap, engines are not. Look after the two of them and they will run happily for you.

[@Realistick]

You can also research people who have had hg issues after those years and how the design itself is more susceptible to that failure due to fluids pooling around the gasket while the engine is off (this doesn’t happen with an inline 4). As i said here, they fixed it but in the long run, there’s a higher chance you will have an issue with it than with most inline 4s. The old transmissions were faulty too (this is proven), that’s why they fixed it. Maintenance is hugely important too but I’m not going to ignore a car’s past if I were to buy one, so why would I ignore it when giving people a recommendation?

[@IanSRutter]

​@@Realistick I'm not saying ignore the past, but make sure you mention the dates they happened. If people knew the full extent of the number of cars Toyota recalls year-on-year, we would question their reliability. 2022 was a smallish year - 460,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled, but they are responsible for the largest recalls in history.

[@Realistick]

@@IanSRutter I did say that those happened in the past (in my other videos I even give the specific model years too but that is not 100 percent accurate). And I mention those too when I review those cars if it's something that actually caused people big problems. You can check Consumer Reports, carcomplaints.com, cars.com reviews, nhsta reports to see what I am talking about. Up until 2018, there were a fair amount of big issues, so if I don't bring them up, there's 203949443 dudes in the comment section trying to say it's a terrible car.

[@IanSRutter]

​@@Realistick Mate, this is the first video I have seen of yours. I'm talking from experience owning Subaru's and from friends, mostly farmers, who still on their 1st and 2nd generation Foresters, both here in the UK and in Australia. Like I pointed out, servicing is key, and the head gasket problem was a simple fix, changing the single layer gasket to a double layer gasket. Yes, should never have happened, but the fix was simple. I'd choose a Subaru over most other manufactures. Each to their own.

[@dsteffler54]

@@IanSRutter Just quoting a figure is pretty meaningless.... you have to specify what the recalls were all about. Perfect example: I own a 2015 RAV4, that is being recalled for the battery base and brackets issue. The replacement batteries (12 V) that are available to the public are a tad smaller than the original, so they will move around when driving the car and not be totally secure. Consequently, Toyota has to change the base and brackets (at no charge) because of the change in battery size.... Is this even really Toyota's fault? I don't know, but they are willing to take care of the issue. In the meantime (as I wait for the parts) I have secured the battery with a single bungle cord! This matter is a world of difference from having catastrophic engine failure.

[@robertocasasornelas9775]

Great video! I just got a 2023 touring forester and made an extensive evaluation on mazda cx 5, Honda crv, kia sportge and oders. By far Forester won over all bench marks. Extreamly confortable unique driving, top security and not that light great off road features. Great confort pack, not perfect but you get great compensating other stuff like more space, better visibility, lower gravity center, more and larger cup holders, higher back seats, less hard plastic inetriors and more.

[@BlackBruceLeeTheGreatDekuTree]

I'm currently debating between the forester 2023 and 2024 crosstrek sport ha

[@Akela_112]

​@BlackBruceLeeTheGreatDekuTree hi, same here. did u make the decision? Can u give insights how u decided?

[@whitelotus1594]

I came close to getting a 2024 Select CX-5 and ended up choosing a 2023 Premium Forester. I'm tall, and my right knee doesn't hit the center console in the Forester. And I found it more comfortable to drive, and less techy. After a few 6-7 hour trips, I know I made the right choice. Love the room and the visibility. Thanks for the review.

[@10tenman10]

I would love to see a comparison between the CX50 and the Outback (both in turbo or higher trims).

[@cance7984]

I finally settled on the Mazda CX-5. I have zero regrets about my purchase.

[@letsgo4834]

I greatly value the perspective of a fellow tall guy. I’m 6’6 and tend to strongly prefer smaller, more efficient vehicles. Compact cats which were no issue in the past are now lacking head room! (Lookin at you, Corolla).

[@feabicyoplung]

I drove both these trying to decide what to buy. The Mazda is a hoot to drive but the driver’s area is so claustrophobic and the visibility was not great. I had a Mazda 626 long ago. Great car, no problems. I bought a Forester though. Lots of room in the driver’s area and great visibility. Not as much fun to drive though it is very stable on the road, needs a touch more oomph.

[@tsf5-productions]

I also had a Mazda 626. It was an 1988 LX four door sedan in dark gray with maroon fabric interior. It was good...sold it in the Spring of '99 with the mileage being at 168,000. (Don't remember what I got for it. It was a private sale) For 20 years this month (September 2023), I've had a 2004 Subaru Forester X (basic series). Twice had to replace the head gasket leaking oil problem (and, it's doing that again)As of now, the car has 142K on the odometer. Had put in lots of money for "Loretta" (as I've named her since the beginning...after a girl I "loved" when I was in 8th grade in 1966) over the years, especially this year. It's not worth doing anymore though the car has a look and feel of very well maintained like I always do with literally all the cars I've owned since my first car: 1966 Pontiac LeMans coupe with a 326 V 8 (bought in September of 1970 for... $ 650!) I have over the past three or so years reviewed seriously several cars...and in this year, 2023, have come down to three: Subaru Forester; Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid; and the Mazda CX-5. The Forester still seems best overall for my style of driving and comfort. It has come somewhat of a long way since my 2004 Forester. I just wished for three things on the Mazda CX-5: More leg room... larger trunk area...and more visibility. Besides that, the engine, transmission and handling, plus, less cabin noise is very good. The Santa Fe... really not bad but... just how dependable is their motor/transmission and a few other parts. The road noise though is more noticeable in that car...and, Hyundai/KIA seems to me be "a poor man's car choice " Many get abused by "poor people". So, there you are.

[@danielroberto9183-w8j]

Really good detailed review of both. I didn't drive the CX-5. I'm a fan of the Forester and owned a 2018. It was rock solid reliable until the spot detection system stopped working and as a consequence the cross traffic alert followed. Very expensive parts to replace. Also the driver side and passenger side windows stopped working as well. The private shop that serviced my Forester applied silicone and the windows didn't stick for a while until the problem came back. The more tech manufacturers they the more problems may arise. I had the Forester for a little over six trouble free years until I traded it.

[@rickj9615]

I am in the same situation...I have a 2018 Forester Premium with low miles and its been a great car for going on 6 years now but starting to see a few things like recently had to replace the left axle CV boot. They "courtesy" covered it under warranty but I suspect the others will go quicker than I'd like. I have a chance to purchase a CX-5 Premium non-turbo for a steal at my local dealer - end of year they are offering 0% financing for up to 5 years, free maintenance for 3 years and no payments for 90 days. With trading my Forester, I'd be out the door at financing $18,000. They have some decent deals on Subarus now but not anything as good as the Mazda. The driving experience of the CX-5 is definitely different - the drive is less smooth than my Subie due to the 6 speed auto which, in my test drives, seems a bit indecisive whereas my Subie's CVT is very smooth. The ride was a bit unsettled on the CX-5 I think due to the 19" tires. I am not sure what to do but since I am unsure, I think I'll wait - I may miss the 0% financing but maybe there'll be other deals as the year goes on.

[@markhamer5112]

Wow, you sure are getting more positive comments with this review. You sold me on the CX5 but I’d still take the Forester simply because full-time AWD makes driving painless in many dodgy situations.

[@LohansTube]

Subbie definitely is a step above with the f/t AWD but Mazda isn't going to be bad for dodgy situations unless you are offroading a lot. Mazda's AWD doesn't wait until a slip is detected (like in most competitor products) but predicts potential treats and activates early. Never had an issue, so far.

[@rockino24]

I had to go with Cx-5 GT (Ontario). Did a test ride on the Premium Forester but felt lacking few things. Besides, I felt the Forester was a bit boring with the pickup maybe because of the CVT. One thing, I wanted to know further was why the wireless carplay is missing in the Cx5. The Pano roof & touchscreen are some other misses on the CX5.

[@myefone1536]

Wondering how you feel about what what you call the 'missing' touchscreen and pano roof now?. I bet you don't even care and it doesn't even matter. Mazda's info screen is much safer and quite intuitive and no one really uses a pano roof, they just like the idea of it. Is now wireless Android and carplay on 2024 model

[@janoycresnova9156]

Forester - if you live where roads are bad and/or constantly need to lug lots of stuff/people around. CX-5 - for everything else.

[@Doc1855]

I agree. We live 5 miles from the closest town and 30 miles away from a small city. We also get 5-6 feet of snow every winter, so the ground clearance and the superior traction in the Subaru was a major selling point for us. My wife loves her Outback and I love my Forester. Our 120# chocolate lab loves both of our Subie’s for the dog (cargo) capacity 😁

[@Dogs538]

I rented a Forester from a rental agency...it drove great and would highly recommend it. Also, Consumer Reports hands down gives Subaru the highest safety records.

[@cjchatta]

Not sure if you heard in his review, but the CX-5 actually tested safer than the Subie. :)

[@boboiboy9350]

@@cjchattahes talking about the consumer reports. Not based off review

[@BusterKitten]

the CX5 was on my short list when I was in the market for a new car however, it's not made for larger drivers. I'm 6-2/310 lbs and the CX5 did not fit me, particularly the driver's seat, if you're of normal weight, it will work. Went with the Forester, perfect/very comfortable fit for my size. No regrets.

[@usernamechecksout]

I did tons of research before buying my car. The list of cars I looked at is pretty long: Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, VW Tiguan, Skoda Karoq & Kodiaq, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester & Outback, Honda CR-V, Suzuki S-Cross, Ford Kuga/Escape, Nissan Qashqai, Mitsubishi Outlander, Range Rover Evoque, Dacia Duster. They all got compared on performance, driving, space, finishing, maintenance and price, of course. All were 2023 or 2022 models given I did this beginning of the year so. not all 2023 models were out yet, like the new CR-V or Outlander. Price played a part mainly because I paid cash for it as I didn't want another monthly payment on top of the mortgage and various insurances - LOL! But overall it was down to how I felt when driving it, how I felt (hope you didn't think this was going to be the most objective post) about the brand and maintenance - as I didn't want to buy a car and spend more time servicing it than on the road. So the RR and Ford were discounted from the start. 🙂 Nissan started having a dodgy reputation in terms of reliability so I skipped it as well. Suzuki are too expensive for what they offer. Toyota was the obvious choice but even though it's the class leader I don't like the design, both interior or exterior. To each their own, I say. Hyundai was among those I favored but the new designs (from Kia as well) are quite sketchy and on looks alone I skipped them. CR-V was nice but something didn't click, and just like with Suzuki, it felt it cost more than what it offered. To cut things short, it came down to these two - Forester and CX-5. And if I was a super practical guy that would spend lots of time off-road then I would've gotten the Forester. But 90% of the driving I'll do will be on paved roads. And the CX-5 felt more like a sedan when driving it. Plus, the trim level I got (Homura) has the same features as my buddy's Audi Q5 - only he paid double for it! So, if you're looking to haul stuff on a regular basis then maybe the CX-5 ain't the best. But if you want to have a car that you'll love driving around, that has a great entertainment system (Bose), is packed full of sensors and has top safety marks then the CX-5 is the car you should go for! Plus, where I live, the Forester is only available with a 2.0L 150HP engine which I believe is underpowered for such a car. Not to mention the CVT. Why, Subaru, why? Let me know your thoughts - has anyone else do such research before getting their car?

[@toteu3426]

I arrived at the same conclusions as you for, just as manybothers. Why cvt ? It is cheaper to make and improves a little of gas mileage to comply with killer european regulations.

[@johnmccarthy727]

@@toteu3426 thanks for cutting it short 🤣😆

[@resortes14]

@usernamechecksout I’m between the Kodiaq and the CX-5. What moved you away from the Skoda?

[@tuan056585]

I did same research like you did and bought a 4 yrs old 2020 Forester Touring. BTW, it's 2.5L engine 182hp, not 2.0L 150hp. I like Mazda too, but don't like the look especially interior (not mean quality, but the layout).

[@DiaperGranny11]

I’m in the midst of this. I currently drive a 2010 Escape and just dumped an over 2k into her (AC, control arms, tires, and alignment). Resale has tanked and I want something better on gas. My list includes: Outlander ,Forester, CX5, CX50, (maybe three row): Ascent, Santa Fe, maybe CRV. I test drove a 2023 Escape, 2021 CX5 Touring, and 2018 Forester Premium. The Escape has some fun little tech perks with low mileage but every time I heard the turbo hiss I felt like it was a ticking time bomb for repairs down the road. Rode nice but something felt off about it. CX5 was thrilling and different and was so much fun (non turbo). Forester was just pleasant. It has enough pep, was very airy, and felt more roomy than the Mazda. Mazda seems to have less overall issues. Subarus seem great and the CVT was smooth but I worry about one particular engine part that could possibly melt/fail destroying the entire engine. Sorry and thank you for coming to my ted talk. Planning on testing the Outlander and CX50 next

[@johnadair6108]

Thanks for the comparison. One deciding factor for me was repair and maintenance costs. The CX5 keeps it simple and economical.

[@robertm.9515]

Not sure what your availability was. Forester looks appeasing for me but it would be much harder to get in

[@eskieman3948]

@@robertm.9515 Your comments make very little sense. The Forester is superior in access to the CX-5 - no argument. As far as "subaru wants to upsell with the liners and premium stuff"... show me any car dealer that DOESN'T want to do that? The 'base punishes you in a way that cx 5 select doesn't"..... ? Sounds like you just didn't want to buy a Subaru. So don't, and step aout of the way, because the person in back of you does....

[@nildadel9795]

Mazda repair is not cheap .

[@davidwayne9982]

THIS IS A COMPARISON I can't wait to see... I'm looking at BOTH of them now.. for different reasons.. Would love for this to have been MAX CX-50!!!

[@joyholly4258]

Thanks so much for this review which is the best one I've found so far that compares these two suvs. I am the current owner of a 25 year old Subaru Outback (still drives well but is nearing its end). I test drove a Mazda CX-5 and loved the way the car handled. But I have back issues and even on a short test drive the seat caused some back pain and I can't seem to seat-adjust my way out of that. So I may wind up with another Subaru (but am leery of CVT reliability). It's so stupid that the only thing keeping me from buying the Mazda is the seat comfort. Anyway, your review unpacked some things to like about the Forester so if I do wind up with it, I might not feel too much like I made a second-rate choice v. the Mazda CX-5. What's wrong with wanting a fun-driving car but also super comfortable seats? (I also want at least 30mpg gas mileage and need a bit of cargo room. Um, and safe.) Is that a unicorn, a car with all of those things? Thanks again for your detailed comparison.

[@eskieman3948]

I also found that the CX-5 seats were uncomfortable, and it also suffered from what I called Mazda's tendency to put it's passengers in 'coffins' (narrow seating and leg room and the high consoles, and the small 'greenhouses' that limit outside visibility (Realistick refers this as being "claustrophobic"), along with a hokey infotainment system. That's why my wife & I went with an Outback XT that addressed all of the above shortcomings, and a far better ride and performance to boot. Mazda has the mechanical infrastructure down on their vehicles - they just need to seriously rethink the interior/exterior design of their vehicles, and they could build some world beating vehicles!

[@joyholly4258]

@@eskieman3948 I don't like the gas mileage on the Outback. (Or admittedly, the price tag.) And they are HUGE now. But I'm glad you are enjoying yours. I still haven't made up my mind and am still driving this '98 Outback! (So of course am getting even worse gas mileage than a newer one.) Just overall I wish Subaru would prioritize the mpg more. Or not forget that safety is part of their brand. I like the Crosstrek (except for the decision to put the controls for the heating/air inside the touch screen in the latest model, which I hate but I'd be willing to put up with other things)--but the updated IIHS crash ratings are awful for CrossTreks. So my options are boring clunkity Forester (super practical though), Wagon-on-Steroids Outback. (Since I'm not in the market for a WRX!) My Subie has been very comfortable though--so much so that I forget not all cars are.

[@tyefighter2005]

We tested both (and many others) before we bought the CX5, we thought the Subaru was not even close in ride quality, seat comfort, fit and finish. The Subaru was very low on the list of all the SUV's we tested and researched. The final three were the Honda CRX and Toyota Rav4 and the Mazda, of course the Mazda won over the Honda and last was the Toyota.

[@ltypd]

IMHO there is no more beautiful color than Mazda's Soul Red Crystal Metallic

[@vicp8772]

A $1000 option? But looks amazing

[@ltypd]

@@vicp8772 actually, it is a $595 option, well worth it!

[@rickj9615]

This video was VERY helpful! Thanks for how you are so thorough and practical with your reviews! I have a 2018 Forester Premium with low miles and its been a great car for going on 6 years now but starting to see a few things like recently had to replace the left axle CV boot. I have a chance to purchase a CX-5 Premium non-turbo for a steal at my local dealer - end of year they are offering 0% financing for up to 5 years, free maintenance for 3 years and no payments for 90 days. With trading my Forester, I'd be out the door at financing $18,000. They have some decent deals on Subarus now but not anything as good as the Mazda. The driving experience of the CX-5 is definitely different - the drive is more sporty but less smooth than my Subie due to the 6 speed auto which, in my test drives, seems a bit indecisive whereas my Subie's CVT is very smooth. The ride was a bit unsettled on the CX-5 I think due to the 19" tires. I am not sure what to do but since I am unsure, I think I'll wait - I may miss the 0% financing but maybe there'll be other deals as the year goes on. Been a while since I have seen this type of incentive in the car market!

[@josephbrown4782]

What a great review! I agree in everything you say. You are the best bro!!

[@pingpongballz5998]

I traded in my 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. It was the biggest piece of shit I have ever owned. One problem after another. I now have a 2023 CX-5. And I love it. Going from a CVT to a standard 6 speed is like God coming down from the heavens.

[@Doc1855]

I compared the Toyota Venza, Rav, Mazda CX-5 and the Forester . All comparisons were the top of the line models. I loved the Venza but I couldn’t get it with Tan or Brown leather, as it only comes in 1990 Gloomy Grey or Boring Black interior colors. The Rav didn’t have the quality of fit and finish like that of my 11 Rav 4WD Limited. The CX-5 could only be had with the Tan interior with the turbo engine. I wanted a naturally aspirated engine for reliability. The Forester had much better visibility, comfort and cargo area over all the rest, as well as the most ground clearance. We live in the mountains and get 5-6 feet of snow every winter. Ultimately I chose the Forester Touring. It’s Bronze with Saddle Brown interior. The Subaru is much cheaper to insure than the others that I compared. The Venza was the most expensive to insure (an additional $1K per year). After selling my Rav and insuring my Forester, my yearly insurance premium dropped. Even though the Forester is peppy, I will miss the 269hp 3.5 V6 from my 11 Rav. But I Love the fuel economy from my Forester.

[@dipin2]

❤️

[@boboiboy9350]

Good call

[@nosegoes21]

We nearly went with the Subaru Outback for a Colorado car. Although maybe a but better offroad, it felt off-centered, and the CVT was just a weird feeling. The visibility in the cabin was phenomenal though. Ultimately went with the 2021 Mazda CX5 carbon edition and it's a true beast. It has handled some sketchy snow situations even with the stock tires (which are just alright) and is fun to drive daily. It did have the oil consumption issue early on, but Mazda issued a service bulletin about a year in and it's been rock solid since.

[@blinkur09mom]

I love both, specifically the Subarus outward visibility and the Mazda’s drive and fancy looking interior features. Nevertheless I ended up getting the CX-5 but it was a very close call. Still absolutely love the Subaru Forester

[@pamm99]

On my third Forester, now driving a Sport model, and have loved them all. I like the more kind of rugged look of the Forester over the more sedan like look of the CX 5. Drove my 2015 Forester from Kingston, NY to Houston, TX and it was like buttah! Lol!

[@tedantares2751]

Explanatory and intelligible review! Looking forward to your review ofHonda CR-V Sport Touring (AWD hybrid).

[@Realistick]

Currently trying to secure more Hondas! i hope that will come here in the next couple of months.

[@jonathanjacques7250]

Cx 5 hands down.

[@jbowgo9599]

We went with the Forester because of the better seats, superior awd and excellent outward visibility. Like someone said, sitting in the Mazda was like sitting in a cave. That also goes for there other models. The Forester does have some CVT drone but the Mazda’s auto is not exactly a dual clutch. I felt the Mazda had the edge in handling but not enough to overcome the other deficits. And the Subaru jumps off the line very nicely without much effort. It’s not as slow as many reviews would lead you to believe. It’s no GTI though and neither is the Mazda.

[@alb0zfinest]

I agree with you, but imo the Mazda looks 10 times better (exterior and interior) and that's why I went with a cx5 instead of a Forester when I bought my car like 2 months ago. The seat really has to be one of the worst in any car I've been in.

[@firefly9838]

@@alb0zfinest I agree the Mazda looks a little better but I needed something more capable for off road so I went with the forester. I've been happy so far.

[@erasak]

I prefer features of the cx-5 like seats and Bose and handling but the Forester is better off road, nice facial recognition feature that Mazda doesn’t have and more cargo space and visibility much better unlike Mazda’s huge ass A pillars. I went with Mazda though, the Bose, seats and luxury near Lexus level feeling is what I preferred.

[@nildadel9795]

I had Mazda and I’m small but I felt it’s small the interior . Back seat leg space are small too

[@jawsgreatwhite9966]

@@erasakthe Mazdas huge ass pillars help with it having a better crash rating and they aren’t a problem for me. I also love how quiet it is inside the vehicle compared to the Subaru and the Bose system sounds amazing.

[@paulholterhaus7084]

I've had both........Mazda overall builds a better overall car.......AND one thing NO ONE mentions.......Mazda's have about double the low rpm torque...below 1500---2000 Rpm.........So You can drive forever in this rpm range if You are not heavy footed........Making the Mazda almost noiseless...........I can climb a 10% Grade north of My house at 1500 rpm......Subie needs 2500..........I will agree with Others, tho, that if I lived in a Town filled with potholes I would take the Subie..........Mazda's are firm...................Paul

[@DreTea444]

I went with the Touring Subaru forester. My friends who own audi and lexus are definitely impressed. 26 mpg city for an all wheel drive is great. Also it just looks so good with off road tires and dark tint.

[@darvelbidenisapuppet7275]

I chose the top trim Kia Seltos over both of these 3 years ago and am now impressed with the 2023 outback wilderness over both of these as my next rig to get this coming summer, Julyish. I just drove the 2023 Forester Wilderness and was not impressed. The outback wilderness blew me away, cant wait to get it.

[@whoawoahh]

What’s the advantage of automatic rain sensing wipers? Can someone explain, I’m genuinely curious. It just seems like something that will get messed up down the line and cause issues

[@Realistick]

you just leave it intermittent (you can adjust the sensitivity on the stalk usually) and then it adjusts as the rain picks up, stops, or you slow down. I had an old Mitsubishi with it and never ran into problems.

[@Realistick]

@TheTpanative "deactivated," lmao, bro you can just bump the stalk to off if you're going through a car wash.

[@mofallsfan]

I've had the feature on multiple vehicles. I find it mostly pointless. No matter which vehicle I've had, the feature never matches the control available through plain intermittent wipers.

[@elsaandnoah]

I currently drive a Subaru Forester but for my next car, I keep flipping back and forth between Mazda CX-5 Signature trim or Subaru Outback Wilderness edition. Wish I could just buy one of each! I genuinely love both. As for the made in Japan issue, I’d consider the Forester again but seems so boring to get similar interior. CX-5 is built in Japan but Subaru OBW made in USA … yea, one of each 😅

[@ynwadpaggy8157]

We have both car 2018 Mazda CX-5 touring and 2021 Subaru Forester . Mazda is far more sporty while the Forster is more roomy. Both cars are very reliable . My wife would like to purchase in a year or 2 the new redesign of the Mazda CX-5

[@wtpauley]

I own a 2020 CX-5 signature trim turbo. I would say, if you want a sporty car feel in your SUV, go with the CX-5. If you are going off-road (dirt, or extreme bumpy roads) every weekend, go with the Forester. Snow handling in the CX-5 with cross climates is the best and is probably just as good in the Forester.

[@martyvenida]

Proud and happy 2020 Forester Sport owner. I'd pick the Subie any day of the week. Its versatility is just unmatched in the class.

[@jorgeneves1334]

Which is better depends on where you live. On icy / slippery / snow covered roads, Mazda's "grip and slip" Haldex part-time AWD is no match for Subaru's full time AWD. And if you plan to do some off road driving, again the Forester is by far the better choice - any channel where they do off-roads, like "Driving Sports TV" does explain why the Subaru is better

[@willwilliam217]

I would need to drive both. Wife totaled her Camaro and we needed a car quickly. The subaru line I had been researching for a while to replace my lincoln mkx as milage went above 100,000. Up to 127,000 now. Was comparing the Crosstrek sport against the CX-50. After research because I read the cx-50 needed premium gas that eliminated that option, the Buick encore rear seat leg room was unacceptable since we would have two car seats back there. The crosstrek sport was 10-12 weeks out and they had a premium on the way so we purchased that, still took 7 or 8 weeks to get. Used cars were out of the question due to the elevated prices and what our insurance payout was. We love the crosstrek.

[@AB-jk7tw]

As a tall driver, I prefer the seat comfort and legroom in the Forester but the car definitely feels slow and is noisy.

[@boboiboy9350]

Change to thicker tyre would help with the noise

[@RangerRickTV]

which has brighter headlights?

[@tuan056585]

Looking for a used mid size SUV to my 18yrs old son, I decided and bought a 2020 Forester Touring last month. I like its layout, styling in and out. I also like the safety equipment on Forester like Eyes Sight camera, RAB (Rear Auto Brake) and driver monitoring system while on the road. This is perfect for new driving kid. I'm Toyota fans, but with the ridiculous price of those used Rav4... I think I(we) will switch to Subaru in future.

[@awetravelsOG]

Should've gotten old Toyota Corolla for like $2-3k for 18 year kid 😂

[@rockino24]

A neat commentary with almost all practical points captured. Is there a video which covers the maintenance and the ease of self maintenance is covered?

[@Realistick]

Thank you, car care nut does great dives into the maintenance side of things if that’s what you want!

[@rockino24]

@@Realistick yes please!

[@davidwayne9982]

There is a device you can get to plug into the OBD inspection plug that will disable the STOP/START bul...it!!! completely-- no button to mess with.

[@adrianl.6306]

Hands down, my favorite car reviewer that actually reviews likely car choices for families and the majority of Americans. Not wasting my time with $150k Porches or Shelby GT mustangs as if a 45 year old will buy one of those

[@SanTory-s7i]

I have both of these cars and I second what some here have already said. The Forester offers great visibility and a bit larger space than the CX5 however, you adjust to these things eventually. You cannot beat the styling (elegance) of the CX5 and the driving experience. They are both exquisite elements of it. The CX5 feels a lot more nimble and lighter on the road than the tank-like feel of the Forester. In terms of reliability, so far, they both have been quite good but take that with a grain of salt because they both have only about 50,000 km. I find that gas consumption in the Forester is slightly better but the CX5 compensates for this with a superior safety rating and proven reliability (according to a mechanic that I spoke with who specializes in Subarus). Overall, I would say you cannot go wrong with either model but I would probably opt for the CX5 overall.

[@howlingwolf125y]

I am taller (over 6 ft) and need (and like) a roomy, airy cabin, with good outward visibility (super important for safety!!).. The Subaru Foresters boxy shape, taller design, and bigger windows (for great visibility) seemed to be just what I was looking for. After further research, it looks like there is a MAJOR problem with the Forester's and the location of the safety monitoring devices - which are (unwisely) located at the top middle part of the windshield.. see 13:58. These safety monitoring devices are now causing an UNSAFE large blind spot for taller drivers, who now have their outward vision blocked by these safety monitoring devices. Subaru needs to find another place to put these safety monitoring devices. Also notice the cabin lights/sunglasses holder also is placed in that area, limiting visibility even further. Plus I need the top part of the windshield for not only better/safer visibility, but to look out to see road signs, street signs, addresses, highway signs, see land marks, and just general outward visibility for driving enjoyment. I am surprised such a forward thinking company like Subaru could make such a major mistake that hurts safe driving.

[@InterKnight]

This was a good video. Glad I stumbled upon it.

[@joebledea]

Great comparison! Thank you for the great review!

[@kosmosbjm]

The heads up display and folding outer mirrors in the CX-5 Premium Plus model is worth it. The heads up alone gives you the legal Highway speed + the speed you’re driving at the same time, both viewed on the windshield, a feature I love. The Mazda’s body design and new head & taillights give it a more luxury look over the average look of the Subaru. Both cars have their advantages, but I recently picked up my new 2023 CX-5 premium plus with AWD. Mazda now has a CX-50, the off-road model which you might want to compare to the Subaru.

[@aleencaeli]

I test drove a Cx-5 today, and when i pulled into the lot, i smelled a smokey burning rubber/engine smell... I asked the sales rep who was sitting next to me in the car, what that smell is, and she said it's normal for the first 100 miles. That it's burning off some engine parts. Has anyone else come across that smell for a brand new Cx-5?

[@labcat647]

Very good information BUT really hard to follow which car you are talking about throughout.

[@jeffdobie9070]

i would love to see a crv subaru comparo done like this. great video

[@eskikindi]

If you're doing even light off-roading, there is no choice but the Forester, with its 1.5 inches of additional ground clearance.

[@cory5525]

I test drove both and I ended buying a 2023 Forester Wilderness Edition. I felt it was a more comfortable ride. I did like the turbo but Mazda recommended premium fuel which I didn't want to have pay for.

[@Doc1855]

When I’m getting on the highway near our house, it’s a short on-ramp so I put my Forester Touring in Sport mode and once I get to cruising speed, I switch it back to economy mode. In 25 when Subaru redesigns the Forester and offers the hybrid system from the Toyota Rav, I’ll be selling my Forester to replace it with a new hybrid Forester Touring. It’s supposed to have around 200hp and get 38-42mpg.

[@NapalmBond]

In NZ when looking at the side profile, we don't have the amber lights at the front. Can someone please explain what they're for?

[@fernandoherranz4095]

Great review! I have a 2019 Crosstrek and can confirm that the Forester's interior is almost identical in quality and materials to the Crosstrek's. That basically means it hasn't changed much in 4 years. Mazda has better interiors and drive personality no doubt. But my Subie feels solid (yup and boring-LOL) and the offroad /bad weather ride quality gives the overall Subie experience higher marks IMO. If Subaru would lux out a bit more with it's interiors and update the laggy infotainment, they would really knock it out of the park. Add a respectable hybrid drivetrain, and they would be unstoppable!

[@jankowalski-et6xc]

When I took Forester on a highway and did an emergency handling test - I was scared the car would flip over. Never felt that with CX5.

[@consciousawakening4799]

So are you saying it doesn’t handle well at higher speeds?

[@seventystix6964]

Any offroad capable car will do that, that's just means cx5 will not do well offroad

[@firefly9838]

@@seventystix6964 to be fair the CX5 is hands down a better drivers car on the road. The Subaru is better off road.

[@bradybernhart670]

2023 Forester for the win! My base weighs 100LBS less than all other trims counting unsprung weight and sprung weight. The thing GOES. Week 3 owner and LOVING IT.

[@rickj9615]

I agree with you I’m the owner of a 2018 Subaru Forrester non-turbo and I have not had trouble with my CVT at all… Yes, it’s a different feel and if you “floor it“ it does have a strange rubber band type feeling, but if in normal driving Around town it has plenty of pep and honestly on the open highway press the pedal down, and my Subaru will easily get up and go… I test drove a 2024 CX five and maybe it’s because I’ve been in a Subaru for so long, but the transmission seemed rather clunky and didn’t seem to know when to shift at the right time. It just wasn’t pleasant after coming from the very smooth “shifting” CVT in MySubaru….