2018 Mazda CX-5 vs 2018 Subaru Forester

2018 Mazda CX-5

2018 Subaru Forester

Select style

Grand Touring AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CX-5 Grand Touring AWD	24	30	$29,752	$30,945
CX-5 Grand Touring FWD	25	31	$28,503	$29,645
CX-5 Sport AWD	24	30	$24,985	$25,450
CX-5 Sport FWD	25	31	$23,710	$24,150
CX-5 Touring AWD	24	30	$26,734	$27,515
CX-5 Touring FWD	25	31	$25,472	$26,215

Select style

2.0XT Premium CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Forester 2.0XT Premium CVT	23	27	$27,607	$29,495
Forester 2.0XT Touring CVT	23	27	$33,675	$36,090
Forester 2.5i CVT	26	32	$22,455	$23,795
Forester 2.5i Limited CVT	26	32	$27,505	$29,395
Forester 2.5i Manual	22	28	$21,547	$22,795
Forester 2.5i Premium Black Edition CVT	26	32	$25,634	$27,345
Forester 2.5i Premium Black Edition w/EyeSight CVT	26	32	$26,657	$28,540
Forester 2.5i Premium CVT	26	32	$24,649	$26,195
Forester 2.5i Premium Manual	22	28	$24,215	$25,695
Forester 2.5i Touring CVT	26	32	$30,887	$33,090

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$29,752

$27,607

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$30,945

$29,495

Monthly Payment Estimate

$516 / month

$492 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.5

Read Our Full Review

6.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

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

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.

TCC Likes

Attractive styling inside and out
Poised chassis, communicative steering
Engine changes bode well for mpg

Fun to drive, good ride
Excellent safety ratings and systems
Good outward visibility

TCC Dislikes

Frustrating infotainment setup
Light cargo volume
Short on refinement

Front seats small for some
Priciest trims still not that premium
No manual gearbox for turbo engine

Fuel Economy

City

24 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

30 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

55.2

53.9

Second Leg Room (in)

39.6

Front Head Room (in)

39.3

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)

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

61.1

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

103.9

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.5

70.7

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

Cargo Area Dimensions

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 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 Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

71.9

Brakes

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

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

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

Rear Tire Size

P225/55VR19

P225/55HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/55VR19

P225/55HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

150

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

1500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

1500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

2000

1500

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3655

3653

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 7

18 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 7

18 X 7

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

Engine

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded H-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

186 @ 4000

258 @ 2000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

2.0 L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

187 @ 6000

250 @ 5600

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

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

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.62

4.11

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.89

2.35

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.80

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.66

Summary

Body Style

Sport Utility

Vehicle Name

Mazda CX-5

Subaru Forester

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Emissions

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

6.7

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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