2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester
2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester
Shoppers who want all-wheel drive on every trim tend to end up with these two on the list. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 arrives redesigned from the ground up, with a stretched body, Google built-in on a 12.9-inch touchscreen and all-wheel drive in every trim. The 2026 Subaru Forester answers with a 2.5-liter boxer engine and standard AWD, a 194-horsepower hybrid option and the trail-focused Wilderness.
Here is how the two line up, one category at a time, using figures from Mazda, Subaru, the EPA and the IIHS.
2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester Performance
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One powertrain serves the whole 2026 Mazda CX-5 range: 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft from a 2.5-liter four, sent through a 6-speed automatic to i-ACTIV® AWD. Drivers pick Normal, Sport or Off-Road through Mi-Drive, and G-Vectoring Control Plus now works with an electronic brake limited-slip differential. Each trim carries the same EPA rating of 24/30/26 mpg, and towing is rated at 1,500 pounds.
The gas Forester uses a 2.5-liter boxer rated at 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft with a CVT, EPA-estimated at 26/33/29 mpg on the Base, Premium and Limited, 25/32/28 on the Sport and Touring and 24/28/26 on the Wilderness. The Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring hybrids produce an estimated 194 horsepower of total system output and return 35 mpg combined. Towing is 1,500 pounds on most trims and 3,500 on the Wilderness, and the Mazda holds the edge in horsepower and torque over the gas Forester.
MAZDA CX-5
- 2.5L four-cylinder: 187 hp / 186 lb-ft
- 6-speed automatic
- i-ACTIV® AWD standard on every trim
- EPA-estimated 24/30/26 mpg
- Tows up to 1,500 lb
2026 Subaru Forester
- 2.5L boxer: 180 hp / 178 lb-ft with CVT
- Hybrid: 194 hp estimated system output
- All-wheel drive standard
- EPA-estimated up to 26/33/29, hybrid 35 combined
- Tows 1,500 lb, or 3,500 lb on Wilderness
2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester Safety
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Parking sensors at both ends, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Smart Brake Support all come on the entry 2.5 S, joined by Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Vehicle Exit Warning and radar cruise with Speed Limit Assist. Stepping up to the 2.5 S Premium Plus unlocks a 360 View Monitor, Driver Monitoring and Lane Change Assist.
Subaru puts EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control on every Forester, and Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is standard from the Sport up and optional on the Premium. The IIHS named both SUVs 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners, so either one gives an Orlando family strong crash protection.
MAZDA CX-5
- Blind Spot Monitoring and RCTA on every trim
- Front and rear parking sensors standard
- Emergency Lane Keeping with Blind Spot Assist
- 360 View Monitor on 2.5 S Premium Plus
- IIHS 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+
2026 Subaru Forester
- EyeSight Driver Assist on every trim
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind-Spot Detection standard from Sport
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert from Sport
- IIHS 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+
2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester Technology
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Google built-in debuts in the lineup with the 2026 Mazda CX-5, running Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play on a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and the Premium Plus swaps in a 15.6-inch screen. Behind the wheel sits a 10.25-inch digital gauge display; wireless phone mirroring starts at the Select, a full-color head-up display at the Preferred and 12-speaker Bose sound at the Premium.
The Forester Base uses dual 7.0-inch multimedia screens, and the Premium, Sport, Wilderness and Limited move to an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system, with navigation on the Touring and every hybrid. The hybrids add a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Harman Kardon audio is standard on the Touring, Touring Hybrid and Limited Hybrid and optional on the Sport, Wilderness and Limited. Every 2026 Mazda CX-5 includes the large touchscreen and Google built-in from the base trim up.
MAZDA CX-5
- 12.9-in touchscreen; 15.6-in on Premium Plus
- Google built-in on every trim
- 10.25-in digital instrument display
- Head-up display from Preferred
- Bose 12-speaker on Premium and Premium Plus
2026 Subaru Forester
- Dual 7.0-in screens on Base
- 11.6-in Multimedia Plus from Premium
- Navigation on Touring and hybrids
- 12.3-in digital cluster on hybrids
- Harman Kardon on Touring and Limited Hybrid
2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester Interior
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Rear passengers in the 2026 Mazda CX-5 get 39.9 inches of legroom, and the reclining 40:20:40 seat folds to grow the load space from 33.7 to 66.5 cubic feet. Every trim has two-zone automatic climate; the Preferred brings heated seats up front and a heated wheel, and the Premium dresses the cabin in leather with a panoramic sunroof, cooled front seats and warmed rear seats.
The Forester lists 43.3 inches of front legroom and 39.4 in the rear, with 27.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat on most trims and 29.6 on the Base, and up to 74.4 cubic feet in total. Heated front seats and a panoramic moonroof come from the Premium, while ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are Touring features. Behind the second row, the Mazda carries more with every seat in use.
MAZDA CX-5
- 39.9 in rear legroom
- 33.7 / 66.5 cu ft cargo
- 40:20:40 split reclining rear seat
- Ventilated front seats from Premium
- Heated rear seats and panoramic sunroof on Premium
2026 Subaru Forester
- 43.3/39.4 in legroom
- 27.5 cu ft cargo on most trims (Base 29.6)
- Up to 74.4 cu ft maximum cargo
- Heated front seats from Premium
- Ventilated front seats on Touring
2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester Exterior
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The 2026 Mazda CX-5 spans 184.6 inches over a 110.8-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 8.0 inches on the 17-inch-wheel 2.5 S and Select and 8.2 inches on the 19-inch-wheel Preferred, Premium and Premium Plus, and Mazda warranty terms are 3 years or 36,000 miles basic and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain.
Subaru sells the gas Forester as the Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited and Touring and the hybrid as the Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring. It is 183.3 inches long on a 105.1-inch wheelbase with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, or 9.3 on the Wilderness, and carries matching 3-year and 5-year terms plus 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid system coverage. Our Orlando team can put you behind the wheel of the 2026 Mazda CX-5 trim that fits your list.
MAZDA CX-5
- 184.6 in long on a 110.8-in wheelbase
- 8.0 to 8.2 in ground clearance
- 19-in wheels from Preferred
- Five trims, all with AWD
- 3-yr/36k basic, 5-yr/60k powertrain warranty
2026 Subaru Forester
- 183.3 in long on a 105.1-in wheelbase
- 8.7 in ground clearance, 9.3 on Wilderness
- Six gas trims plus four hybrids
- X-MODE from Premium up
- 8-yr/100k hybrid system warranty
Why Buy From Headquarter Mazda near Orlando, FL?
Headquarter Mazda near Orlando, FL sells the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 across its full trim walk, up to the 15.6-inch-screen Premium Plus. Coming from a Forester test drive? Share what you liked, and our team can match it to the right 2026 Mazda CX-5 trim.
Our finance office handles loans and leases, and our service department keeps your 2026 Mazda CX-5 on schedule once it is yours.