2019 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Subaru Outback

2019 Mazda CX-5
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Subaru Outback
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$24,350

MSRP

$26,645

Listings

147

Listings

152

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Excellent value for money

Cons

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Underwhelming base engine

Pros

  • Standard all-wheel drive

  • Excellent value for money

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Sluggish touchscreen response

  • Underwhelming base engine

2019 Mazda CX-5 Reviews Summary

In a segment dominated by some pretty intimidating competitors like the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Forester, the Mazda CX-5 has been slowly winning over consumers year after year with good looks and a best-in-class driving experience. But rather than resting on its laurels, Mazda has updated the CX-5 just one year into its second generation, improving handling with an updated version of its G-Vectoring Control system, increasing connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and boosting power with a turbocharged engine for two new top-tier trims—the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature.

2020 Subaru Outback Reviews Summary

Subaru kept the wagon vibes rolling while the rest of the world fell in love with SUVs and crossovers. And, although the 2020 Outback is technically a midsize crossover, one look will have you remembering summer drives in an overstuffed station wagon down a busy highway, whether you actually took those trips or not. And that’s not a bad thing. The Outback has always provided utility, performance, and looks, and those things have made it Subaru’s top-selling model. With the updates for this sixth generation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see America falling in love with the station wagon again.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 187 hp I4

Engine

2.5L 182 hp H4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

187 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

182 hp @ 5800 rpm

MPG City

25

MPG City

26

MPG Highway

31

MPG Highway

33
2019 Mazda CX-5
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Subaru Outback
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$24,350
$26,645
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.8

5.0

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Excellent value for money

Cons

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Underwhelming base engine

Pros

  • Standard all-wheel drive

  • Excellent value for money

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Sluggish touchscreen response

  • Underwhelming base engine

Summary
In a segment dominated by some pretty intimidating competitors like the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Forester, the Mazda CX-5 has been slowly winning over consumers year after year with good looks and a best-in-class driving experience. But rather than resting on its laurels, Mazda has updated the CX-5 just one year into its second generation, improving handling with an updated version of its G-Vectoring Control system, increasing connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and boosting power with a turbocharged engine for two new top-tier trims—the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature.
Subaru kept the wagon vibes rolling while the rest of the world fell in love with SUVs and crossovers. And, although the 2020 Outback is technically a midsize crossover, one look will have you remembering summer drives in an overstuffed station wagon down a busy highway, whether you actually took those trips or not. And that’s not a bad thing. The Outback has always provided utility, performance, and looks, and those things have made it Subaru’s top-selling model. With the updates for this sixth generation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see America falling in love with the station wagon again.
Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 187 hp I4
2.5L 182 hp H4
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
MPG City
25
26
MPG Highway
31
33
Look and feel

2019 Mazda CX-5

9/10

2020 Subaru Outback

8/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is praised for its captivating looks, best-driving performance, and useful space. The base Sport trim offers impressive features like LED headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a comprehensive safety suite. The higher trims, especially the top-tier Signature, provide added luxury with features like ambient cabin lighting, real wood trim, and a 360-degree camera. The 2020 Subaru Outback maintains its handsome profile and offers incremental improvements over its predecessor, including a 11.6-inch touchscreen, innovative DriverFocus technology, and a wealth of utility, safety, and performance features.
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Performance

2019 Mazda CX-5

8/10

2020 Subaru Outback

7/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 offers a range of trims with the base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and the more powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder engine available in the top-tier trims. The handling has improved with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control system, providing better bump absorption and steering feel. The 2020 Subaru Outback comes with a 2.5-liter engine and an optional 2.4-liter turbocharged engine for higher trims, offering improved horsepower and torque. The symmetrical all-wheel drive system and upgraded X-Mode make the Outback capable on and off the road.
Form and function

2019 Mazda CX-5

8/10

2020 Subaru Outback

8/10
The CX-5 offers captivating looks, spirited performance, and useful space, although its cargo capacity falls behind some rivals. The 2020 Subaru Outback provides ample room for passengers and cargo, with a low load height, and improved visibility. The Outback’s redesign has increased passenger and cargo volume, making it a practical choice for families.
Technology

2019 Mazda CX-5

7/10

2020 Subaru Outback

6/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 now comes with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, addressing a major drawback. The MazdaConnect infotainment system is attractive and responsive, but the 360-degree camera resolution needs improvement. The 2020 Subaru Outback features a tablet-style, 11.6-inch touchscreen, but suffers from lag issues and low camera resolution, which need to be addressed for a better user experience.
Safety

2019 Mazda CX-5

9/10

2020 Subaru Outback

8/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 offers a comprehensive i-ActiveSense safety suite as standard across the range, with top ratings from safety organizations. The 2020 Subaru Outback impresses with its standard safety suite and active all-wheel drive system, but faces issues with the DriverFocus system, which needs improvement.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

Based on the ratings, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 emerges as the more highly rated choice, offering captivating looks, spirited performance, and a range of trims to suit different budgets.

Choose the 2019 Mazda CX-5 if:

8.3of 10overall
  • You prioritize captivating looks, spirited performance, and a range of trims to suit different budgets.
  • You seek a vehicle with a comprehensive safety suite and top ratings from safety organizations.
  • You value a tremendous deal with captivating looks, fine-handling, and a range of trims to suit different budgets.
147 results
See all

Choose the 2020 Subaru Outback if:

7.7of 10overall
  • You prioritize a practical and versatile vehicle with ample room for passengers and cargo, and improved visibility.
  • You seek a vehicle with a standard safety suite and active all-wheel drive system for added security.
  • You are interested in a vehicle with a pricing structure that spans between affordable and near-luxury options, with compelling packages at competitive price points.
152 results
See all

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

Based on the ratings, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 emerges as the more highly rated choice, offering captivating looks, spirited performance, and a range of trims to suit different budgets.

Choose the 2019 Mazda CX-5 if:

Shop Now
8.3of 10overall
  • You prioritize captivating looks, spirited performance, and a range of trims to suit different budgets.
  • You seek a vehicle with a comprehensive safety suite and top ratings from safety organizations.
  • You value a tremendous deal with captivating looks, fine-handling, and a range of trims to suit different budgets.
147 results

Choose the 2020 Subaru Outback if:

Shop Now
7.7of 10overall
  • You prioritize a practical and versatile vehicle with ample room for passengers and cargo, and improved visibility.
  • You seek a vehicle with a standard safety suite and active all-wheel drive system for added security.
  • You are interested in a vehicle with a pricing structure that spans between affordable and near-luxury options, with compelling packages at competitive price points.
152 results

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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