Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Outback: Which SUV is the Best Choice?

The Mazda CX-5 offers a better handling and off-roading experience than the Subaru Outback.

Mazda Cx 5 Vs Outback

The Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Outback are two of the most popular crossovers on the market today, but deciding between the two can be tricky. While both vehicles offer great fuel efficiency, style, and features, there are some major differences that may be the deciding factor for some buyers. Let’s take a look at the Mazda CX-5 vs. Subaru Outback and see how they stack up head-to-head.

The Mazda CX-5 is known for its upscale design, excellent fuel economy, and powerful engine. It comes with a standard 186 horsepower 2.5L four cylinder engine with plenty of power to get you up hills or quickly onto highways. The interior is comfortable and luxuriously appointed with plenty of options for customizing your ride. The safety features are also impressive, featuring airbags and a rearview camera system to help keep you safe on the road.

On the other hand, the Subaru Outback provides an off-road capable SUV while maintaining a spacious interior and all of the dependability weve come to expect from this automotive brand. Its standard 182 horsepower 2.5L engine gives you more than enough torque wheeling off-road while still providing ample power during highway driving situations. The Subaru has it all; comfortable seating for five passengers and plenty of cargo space in the back to store your camping gear on those weekend trips out into nature.

In short, both vehicles offer great features at competitive prices but understanding what features matter to you is important when making your decision between these two crossovers. We hope this overview has given enough insight so you can make an informed decision when deciding on either one of these amazing automobiles!

Performance

The Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Outback are both very capable vehicles in terms of performance. The Mazda CX-5 offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, and is available with either front or all-wheel drive. The Outback has a slightly larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and is also available with either front or all-wheel drive.

Both the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Outback have great acceleration, but the CX-5 has an edge in terms of top speed and handling. The Outback’s CVT can be sluggish at times, while the CX-5’s manual transmission provides smoother shifts and better acceleration in most situations.

Comfort & Design

The Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Outback both offer comfortable interiors with plenty of space for passengers, but the CX-5 has a more modern design that’s more appealing to younger buyers. The Outback’s interior is more traditional, but it still offers plenty of features such as heated seats, dual climate control, and Bluetooth connectivity.

In terms of exterior design, both vehicles are attractive in their own way. The CX-5 has a sportier look than the Outback with its sloping roofline and aggressive lines. The Outback looks more rugged with its boxy shape and tough stance.

Interior Compare – Cabin Design & Material Quality Comparison

The cabin design of both vehicles is quite different from one another. The Mazda CX 5 features a contemporary design with high quality materials throughout the interior while the Subaru Outback has an old school feel to it with vinyl trim pieces on its dashboard and door panels.

The quality of materials used in both cars is excellent however the Mazda CX 5 features soft touch materials on its dashboards while the Subaru Outback features hard plastics which can be slightly noisy when on the move.

Interior Compare – Seating Capacity Comparison

When it comes to seating capacity, both cars offer similar space for passengers but there are some differences between them which make them more suitable for different types of family sizes. The Mazda CX 5 offers seating for five while the Subaru Outback offers seating for seven people.

Exterior Compare – Dimension Comparison

When comparing exterior dimensions between these two cars, there isn’t much difference between them as they are very close in size overall. However there are some slight differences between them when looking at wheelbase length as well as overall length which can affect how much room each car offers for passengers inside.

Exterior Compare – Ground Clearance Comparison

In terms of ground clearance, both cars offer good clearance from bumps or obstacles on roads but there is a slight difference between them once again as the Mazda Cx 5 has 7 inches of ground clearance compared to 8 inches offered by the Subaru Outback.

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Fuel Efficiency

When comparing fuel economy figures between these two vehicles it becomes clear that they offer very similar efficiency ratings on highways although there are some differences when looking at city figures as well as combined figures which takes into account city driving as well as highway driving conditions.

The Mazda Cx 5 offers 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29 mpg combined while the Subaru Outback offers 25 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined making it slightly less efficient than its competitor when driven mainly on city roads or combined conditions.

Technology Features Comparison

When comparing the technology features of the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Outback, there are several key differences to consider.

Audio System Comparison

The Mazda CX-5 comes standard with a 6-speaker audio system, while the Subaru Outback offers an 8-speaker system. Both audio systems offer USB and auxiliary connections for playing music from other devices, but the Outback also offers Bluetooth streaming capability. The Mazda CX-5 also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Navigation System Comparison

The Mazda CX-5 comes standard with a 7 touchscreen infotainment system, while the Subaru Outback has a 6.5 touchscreen Infotainment system. Both navigation systems offer 3D mapping, lane guidance, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions. However, only the Outback offers real-time traffic updates as an optional add-on.

Safety Features Comparison

When it comes to safety features, both vehicles offer impressive options for protecting passengers in case of an accident.

Crash Test Rating Comparison

The Mazda CX-5 is rated 5 stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the Subaru Outback is rated 4 stars. Both vehicles offer a variety of active safety technologies such as blind spot monitoring systems, lane departure warning systems and automatic emergency braking to help drivers avoid potential hazards on the road.

Safety Feature List Comparison

Both vehicles come standard with airbags throughout the cabin for added protection in case of a collision. The Mazda CX-5 also offers adaptive cruise control as an additional safety feature that helps keep drivers at a safe distance from other cars on the road. The Subaru Outback is equipped with EyeSight driver assistance technology which includes pre-collision braking and lane keep assist functions to help keep drivers safe on the road.

Price & Warranty Comparison

When it comes to price and warranty comparison between these two vehicles, there are some notable differences to consider.

MSRP Price Comparing Mazda Cx to Outback

The starting MSRP of the Mazda CX-5 is $21,990 while the starting MSRP of the Subaru Outback is $26,795 – making it more expensive than its competitor by almost $4,800 dollars in base level trim packages alone when compared directly side by side.

Warranty Comparison between Mazda Cx & Outback

Both vehicles offer a 3 year/ 36,000 mile basic warranty but when it comes to powertrain coverage – The Mazda Cx 5 provides 60 months/ 60 thousand miles coverage while Subaru provides 36 months/ 36 thousand miles powertrain coverage for their vehicle models – making the former more reliable when it comes down to warranty coverage options between these two competitors in similar categories and price range offerings

FAQ & Answers

Q: What is the difference in performance between Mazda Cx 5 and Outback?
A: The Mazda Cx 5 offers a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The Outback offers a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine that produces 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. So, the Outback has significantly more power than the Mazda Cx 5.

Q: How does their interior compare?
A: In terms of cabin design, the Mazda Cx 5 offers higher quality materials than the Outback. Both vehicles offer comfortable seating for up to five passengers, but the Outback offers more legroom for passengers in the back seat.

Q: What is their exterior dimension comparison?
A: The Mazda Cx 5 is 183 inches long, 72 inches wide and 65 inches tall while the Outback is 189 inches long, 72 inches wide and 65 inches tall. So, the Outback is slightly longer but both vehicles have identical widths and heights.

Q: How do they compare in terms of fuel efficiency?
A: The Mazda Cx 5 gets an estimated 26 mpg on city roads and 35 mpg on highways while the Outback gets an estimated 20 mpg on city roads and 27 mpg on highways. So, the Mazda Cx 5 has better fuel efficiency than the Outback in both city and highway driving conditions.

Q: How do their technology features compare?
A: Both vehicles offer standard audio systems with Bluetooth connectivity as well as optional navigation systems with voice control capability. However, only the Outback offers a higher-end Harman Kardon audio system as an option which provides superior sound quality compared to its competitors.

The Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Outback are both great vehicles for those who are looking for a reliable, comfortable ride. The CX-5 offers better handling, performance, and fuel economy than the Outback, while the Outback offers more interior space and off-road capabilities. Ultimately, it will come down to personal preference. Both vehicles offer great features and provide a smooth ride that you are sure to enjoy.