2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 epitomized the concept of premium aesthetics with a blend of captivating style and substantive build quality. Mazda emphasized continual product improvement, demonstrated by the enhanced standard equipment, revised instrument panel, and noise and vibration reduction for this model year. The turbocharged engine received an increase in torque, and the AWD variants were equipped with an off-road traction assistance feature. Priced between $25,190 and $37,155 and available in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trims, the CX-5's Signature trim stood out with Nappa leather, real wood accents, and a striking black headliner. However, the Caturra Brown leather interior provided little contrast against the predominantly black cabin, which detracted from its premium feel.

Produced nearly a decade after the debut of Mazda’s “Kodo” design language, the 2020 CX-5 retained a distinctive and upscale exterior that few competitors could match. The test vehicle, priced at $38,680 with options, including Machine Gray metallic paint and a bumper guard, underscored Mazda's commitment to merging style with substance, achieving an appealing look both inside and out.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, while fully redesigned in the previous model year, maintained a sense of familiarity that had long characterized Subarus. The analog gauges, steering wheel, and seats echoed the models from the past decade. However, higher trims featured a 11.6-inch portrait display, floating above USB ports and a parking brake switch, which modernized the otherwise traditional dashboard. The Outback excelled in quality, rivaling more luxury-oriented models with substantial switches, padding, and surface materials. Our test car, the Onyx Edition XT, deviated from the usual leather upholstery with StarTex and lime green stitching, showcasing Subaru's adventurous spirit.

Externally, the Subaru Outback wore its practical cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, preserving paint from scratches. The styling remained understated yet balanced, with subtle chrome accents and notable ground clearance. For 2021, the Outback introduced Brilliant Bronze Metallic paint and standard adaptive LED headlights, while maintaining its quintessential wagon-inspired silhouette.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 started with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission in both FWD and AWD configurations. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of this engine, producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular fuel. Despite the respectable power for a compact SUV, the turbocharged model's fuel efficiency dropped to 24 mpg combined, compared to 26 mpg for the standard AWD configuration, and 28 mpg for the FWD variant. During testing, the turbocharged model averaged 22.1 mpg.

Mazda's G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology enhanced driving engagement by stabilizing the SUV during cornering, but its high center of gravity led to excessive body motions, diminishing confidence on twisty roads. Nevertheless, the telepathic steering and capable brakes made it a joy in typical driving conditions, allowing drivers to easily navigate through traffic and around corners, though without the usual Mazda driving thrill.

Conversely, the 2021 Subaru Outback's 2.5-liter flat-four engine continued to offer 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, hindered by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). With a base weight of 3,635 pounds and potential loading to 4,500 pounds, the base engine struggled with performance, particularly on the highways and inclines. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, transformed the driving experience, achieving satisfactory speed and smoothness with minimal impact on fuel efficiency—23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to the 2.5-liter’s 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

Subaru's AWD system excelled with proactive torque distribution and adaptive X-Mode for challenging terrains, making the Outback outstanding off-road, especially with the added ground clearance and long-travel suspension. The handling, however, remained soft to prioritize ride comfort over spirited driving, aligning with the Outback's design as a capable long-distance cruiser.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 aimed to compete with luxury SUVs by offering an upscale cabin and extensive standard equipment, despite its cramped interior compared to segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The interior featured a tasteful design with clear gauges and metallic accents. Higher trims such as Touring introduced dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents, while the Grand Touring added a power-adjustable passenger seat, and the Grand Touring Reserve offered ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Signature trim enhanced luxury with Nappa leather and genuine wood.

The front seats provided comfort, but rear legroom might have been an issue for taller passengers. Storage capacity included 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, with a power liftgate available on Grand Touring and above trims.

The 2021 Subaru Outback excelled in practicality, with 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them up. Its interior was spacious with ample headroom and legroom, complemented by superb outward visibility. Storage solutions included large map pockets, bottle holders, and additional slots in the center console and dash.

However, Subaru lagged in offering some standard features; push-button start and rear climate vents were reserved for higher trims, and the moonroof was bundled with costly packages. Storage conveniences included standard roof rails with integrated crossbars for all trims, simplifying cargo management without additional cost.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, comparable to German luxury brands. It included a 7-inch touchscreen in the Sport trim, which could only be controlled via touch when stationary, and the more advanced 8-inch screen for the Grand Touring trim onward, adding satellite radio and a Bose premium sound system. The Signature trim included navigation, a surround-view system, and a SiriusXM data subscription. Users interacted via a mix of console controls, voice commands, and less ideally, steering wheel controls. The voice-recognition system had limitations in understanding natural language, often causing frustration.

For the 2021 Subaru Outback, the infotainment system suffered from dated graphics and cumbersome interfaces. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard, the dual-screen on base trims should have been avoided in favor of the more modern single large screen available on higher trims. Subaru's EyeSight suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, though limited by its reliance on camera-only inputs which occasionally affected performance. The head-up display onboard provided essential driver assistance visualizations.

Mazda equipped the 2020 CX-5 comprehensively with the i-Activsense suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist, alongside standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The Grand Touring trim added adaptive headlights. These features, combined with solid structural engineering, earned the CX-5 top marks in safety, such as the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star rating from NHTSA.

Subaru’s 2021 Outback boasted a reinforced chassis and comprehensive airbag systems, with a driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag standard. Trim-specific safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor. The Outback maintained its Top Safety Pick+ status from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, albeit slightly lower individual scores in frontal crash and rollover tests.