2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The Mazda CX-5 in 2021 took a different approach to design than many of its competitors. Instead of the deeply-creased hoods, angled taillights, and chiseled grilles that had become common, the CX-5 presented a smooth and sleek demeanor, looking almost fast even when standing still. It wasn’t an ostentatious vehicle but leaned into a clean style that distinguished it within the compact crossover segment.

Across its various trim levels, the CX-5 maintained a consistent exterior look. The base model, Sport, featured automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Touring model added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, two rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights that could pivot to illuminate the direction of travel. This feature proved especially useful on winding roads and navigating through neighborhoods.

For those seeking a more premium feel, the Touring Preferred SV Package added a 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory positioning.

Mazda also offered the Carbon Edition, combining features from the Touring and Touring Preferred SV Package along with a unique Polymetal Gray paint job, gloss black door mirrors, 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels, red leather seats, and black honeycomb interior trim on the dashboard and door panels. The top-tier MX-5 Signature was a premium offering with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, a black headliner, and 19-inch silver aluminum alloy wheels. Its sophisticated design choices and high-quality materials placed it in contention with luxury brands.

In comparison, the 2021 Subaru Forester didn’t stray far from its previous generation’s design, first revamped in 2019. Subaru’s decision to maintain a familiar look probably resonated well with shoppers who preferred the SUV’s boxy, upright shape. The Base trim level appeared rather plain with 17-inch steel wheels, though alloy wheels were also available. It offered a simple and unpretentious look, appealing in its own straightforward manner.

The Forester Sport trim level, featuring orange striping along the lower edges and roof rails, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, injected some flair into the otherwise reserved styling. These minor enhancements created a noticeably more dynamic appearance, particularly when paired with a suitable paint color such as Dark Blue Pearl.

The Forester's interior mirrored its exterior’s functional style, with a no-nonsense mix of materials designed for durability rather than aesthetics. The Sport trim added orange-colored trim and cross-stitching to the interior, providing a slight visual lift. The top trims, the Limited and Touring, introduced leather upholstery, adding a touch of luxury.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options, each suited to different driving preferences. The base model came equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine powered the Sport and Touring models, delivering adequate performance through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift and sport modes. Front-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was optional.

On the other hand, buyers of the Carbon Edition could choose between the 2.5-liter base engine or a more spirited 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivered 320 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine was standard on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models and came exclusively with all-wheel drive.

Fuel efficiency for the CX-5 varied slightly between the engines. The non-turbo engine, in front-wheel drive, offered 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. Models with all-wheel drive dropped to 24 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. The turbocharged variant maintained decent fuel efficiency, with 23 mpg in the city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined in FWD, and 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for AWD models.

The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine stood out for providing ample power, especially in sport mode, making the CX-5 fun to drive on winding roads. However, the SUV's stiff suspension, though contributing to its sporty feel, compromised comfort on less-than-perfect roads.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, by contrast, offered a simpler powertrain selection. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This combination included a manual mode with paddle shifters on certain trims. Unlike the Mazda, the Subaru lacked a turbocharged engine option.

Subaru's boxer engine configuration enabled a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. The Forester could tow up to 1,500 pounds, and Trailer Stability Assist was standard. While power delivery felt adequate for most driving situations, the engine lacked the punch needed for confident highway merging or overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

Despite not being performance-oriented, the Forester handled bumps well thanks to its soft suspension, although it did experience significant body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. Standard all-wheel drive, combined with Subaru’s X-Mode that adjusted settings for different terrains, and hill-descent control on certain trims, highlighted the Forester’s capability in adverse conditions. Its 8.7 inches of ground clearance made it more adept at off-road trails than most competitors.

The interior of the Mazda CX-5 was thoughtfully executed. The seating positions, proximity to the center stack, and comfort levels mirrored what one would expect from a compact SUV. Headroom was sufficient in both rows, but rear legroom was limited if tall passengers occupied the front seats.

Mazda equipped the CX-5 with two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats, and a tether connector on the middle rear seat, although these were not the most user-friendly. The climate controls were straightforward and functional, eschewing high-tech gizmos for practicality.

However, the center console’s large shifter encroached on passenger space, a design choice that stood out against other modern compact SUVs, which often opted for space-saving electronic shifters. The infotainment controls were positioned somewhat awkwardly for shorter drivers.

The Mazda CX-5 fell short in cargo space, offering 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. These figures were lower than average, particularly when compared to the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V. A power liftgate was available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows thanks to its tall and flat roofline, providing excellent outward visibility. However, the ample glass surfaces allowed more sunlight, potentially raising cabin temperatures on sunny days.

With 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, the Forester provided significantly more cargo capacity compared to the CX-5. The cargo space exceeded that of the Honda CR-V and 2022 Hyundai Tucson with the seats down but was less generous with seats up. While not offering a sliding second-row bench found in some competitors, the Forester did feature a power liftgate from the Sport trim upwards.

The Forester had a practical and straightforward interior, although the center console storage, including a phone cubby, proved undersized and lacked wireless charging options. Large knobs for audio volume and climate control made adjustments easy, but the multitude of buttons on the steering wheel could be a bit confounding.

Mazda equipped every 2021 CX-5 with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. The screen’s size was impressive, but Mazda's operating system left much to be desired. The interface, while clean, felt dated and was cumbersome to navigate using the center console knob. The absence of knobs for quick tuning or station switching was a drawback, though volume adjustments were conveniently placed on the steering wheel and center console.

However, the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard allowed users to bypass some of the system’s shortcomings by integrating their smartphones.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured the Starlink infotainment system. A 6.5-inch touchscreen was standard, incorporating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front USB ports. The Sport model introduced an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while navigation and dual rear USB ports were added in the Limited and Touring trims.

The Forester’s system was user-friendly, supported by intuitive graphics and backup analog controls, like physical buttons for home, phone, and radio functions. Despite its ease of use, the system booted up slowly, which could be frustrating.

Subaru also included a small secondary screen in the center of the dashboard and another in the instrument cluster, primarily showing secondary information like fuel economy, tire pressure, and an inclinometer. This setup, while offering detailed information, seemed somewhat redundant given that much of the same data could appear on both screens.

Safety was a strong point for both vehicles. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Optional features were a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.

These features contributed to the CX-5 earning the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the vehicle’s traffic sign recognition was seen as slow and unreliable.

Similarly, the 2021 Subaru Forester received the highest accolades for safety, achieving the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Subaru’s EyeSight suite, standard on all Forester models, included features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert, along with steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder.

The Forester also had the unique DriverFocus system that monitored drivers for signs of distraction. Optional safety tech included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight suite and its functionality, particularly the lane-centering feature, were appreciated, though somewhat less smooth than human control.