2019 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2019 Subaru Forester

At Mazda of Palm Beach, your local South Florida Mazda dealership, we know how difficult it can be to find the right vehicle for you. There are so many factors to consider, especially if you’re looking for the right SUV. You need to look at everything from engine, to power specs, to trim levels, towing capacity, and more. That’s why we tried to simplify your buying process by providing a brief overview of two of the leading SUVs in their class: the 2019 Mazda CX-5 and the 2019 Subaru Forester. Below is a chart displaying some of the basic specs:

Standard Engine

The first major difference between the 2019 Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester is the standard engine. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 comes standard with the SKYACTIV®-G 2.5L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with Cylinder Deactivation, while the 2019 Subaru Forester is equipped with the 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® 4-cylinder engine. The difference in the engines produces a noticeable difference in power specs. Specifically, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 gets 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the 2019 Subaru Forester falls short with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque.

Upgraded Engine

For the 2019 Mazda CX-5, you can opt to upgrade your engine. This creates an even more significant difference between the power behind the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester. For example, if you get the CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve or Signature models, they are powered by a SKYACTIV®-G 2.5T Dynamic Pressure Turbo DOHC engine paired to a SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission manual-shift as well as Sport mode. This increases the horsepower to 250 and the torque to 310 pound-feet. That’s a lot of power!

Tech Features

When it comes to the technology inside the 2019 Mazda CX-5 and the 2019 Subaru Forester, you’ll see that there is a difference in what is offered depending on the model you choose. For instance, the Mazda CX-5 has a standard 7-inch touchscreen with MAZDA CONNECT™ infotainment, while the 2019 Subaru Forester has the smaller, StarLink™ 6.5-inch display, which can be more difficult to use.

In addition, the Mazda CX-5 has an available Bose® 10-speaker audio system, but even the highest trim level of the Subaru Forester only offers nine speakers. This means that if you’re riding in the 2019 Mazda CX-5, you’ll hear everything around you perfectly clear and you’ll feel fully immerse in the audio experience.

Safety

Safety, of course, is another major consideration when choosing your new SUV. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 comes with standard and available safety features like Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go. This will keep you feeling confident that you’re driving safely, no matter the driving conditions.  If you go with the 2019 Subaru Forester, you need to upgrade to a higher trim level to get the same safety features.

The Verdict

In the comparison of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2019 Subaru Forester, the winner is…the 2019 Mazda CX-5. Based on the factors we considered above, if you’re looking for the right SUV for you in South Florida, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 is a great choice. From the standard engine to the power specs and safety features, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 demonstrates superior features and performance over the 2019 Subaru Forester. Come by your local South Florida Mazda dealership, Mazda of Palm Beach, to start driving your new SUV. We have tons of options and you can talk to any of our sales representatives to better understand how the 2019 Mazda CX-5 compares to other SUVs in its class.