2017 Mazda CX-5 vs 2017 Subaru Forester

2017 Mazda CX-5

2017 Subaru Forester

Select style

Grand Select AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CX-5 Grand Select AWD	23	29	$29,334	$30,195
CX-5 Grand Select FWD	24	31	$28,073	$28,895
CX-5 Grand Touring AWD	23	29	$29,820	$30,695
CX-5 Grand Touring FWD	24	31	$28,558	$29,395
CX-5 Sport AWD	23	29	$24,627	$25,345
CX-5 Sport FWD	24	31	$23,365	$24,045
CX-5 Touring AWD	23	29	$26,443	$27,215
CX-5 Touring FWD	24	31	$25,181	$25,915

Select style

2.0XT Premium CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Forester 2.0XT Premium CVT	23	27	$27,424	$29,295
Forester 2.0XT Touring CVT	23	27	$32,028	$34,295
Forester 2.5i CVT	26	32	$22,272	$23,595
Forester 2.5i Limited CVT	26	32	$27,321	$29,195
Forester 2.5i Manual	22	28	$21,363	$22,595
Forester 2.5i Premium CVT	26	32	$24,466	$25,995
Forester 2.5i Premium Manual	22	28	$24,032	$25,495
Forester 2.5i Touring CVT	26	32	$29,243	$31,295

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$29,334

$27,424

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$30,195

$29,295

Monthly Payment Estimate

$503 / month

$488 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.0

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 takes a lot of small steps forward, but are any of them big enough changes to sway buyers?

One of the best small SUVs, the 2017 Subaru Forester is a good value, with remarkable interior volume, thrifty fuel economy, and top safety scores.

TCC Likes

Best-looking compact crossover, by our eyes
Improved interior
Excellent driveability

Good ride, enjoyable driving
Top-notch safety scores, systems
Spacious cabin with super visibility

TCC Dislikes

Not dramatically different than outgoing model
Turbodiesel arriving later this year
Finicky infotainment system

Shift paddles only on turbo
No manual offered with turbo
Priciest models not all that premium

Fuel Economy

City

23 mpg

Highway

29 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

55.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

103.6

103.3

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

56.5

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

Front Hip Room (in)

55.2

53.9

Second Leg Room (in)

39.6

Front Head Room (in)

39.3

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.8

60.9

Liftover Height (in)

29.4

28.6

Min Ground Clearance (in)

7.6

8.7

Length, Overall (in)

179.1

181.5

Height, Overall (in)

65.3

68.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

61.1

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

103.9

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.5

70.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

30.9

31.5

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

41.3

42.2

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

30.9

31.5

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

45.9

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.4

31.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

59.6

68.5

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

37.1

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

71.9

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.9

10.9

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.7

12.4

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.3

15.9

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/55VR19

P225/55HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/55VR19

P225/55HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

1500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

1500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

2000

1500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

150

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3655

3653

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 7

18 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 7

18 X 7

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

185 @ 4000

258 @ 2000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

2.0 L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

187 @ 6000

250 @ 5600

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded H-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.62

4.11

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.89

2.35

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.60

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.55

3.50 - 0.98

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.66

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.80

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda CX-5

Subaru Forester

Body Style

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.8

7.0

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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