2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was a smooth and stylish vehicle that stood out in a market filled with deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles. Its design was sleek and slippery, even when stationary, offering a refreshing take on Mazda's traditional aesthetics. The base model, CX-5 Sport, featured automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims like the Touring and Grand Touring added features such as leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and auto-leveling LED headlights, enhancing both comfort and functionality. The top-tier Signature model boasted premium materials like Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim, rivaling luxury brands.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was designed to push the boundaries of what an Outback could be, almost resembling a Jeep with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. The Wilderness trim featured a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which, while practical, could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The Wilderness also included a robust roof rack capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for rooftop camping. The interior was functional but lacked the premium feel of the Mazda CX-5's top trims.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base model came with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in higher trims, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, providing a more spirited driving experience. Fuel efficiency for the non-turbo engine was 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined with FWD, while the turbo engine achieved 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined with AWD. The CX-5's sporty drive style was engaging but came with a stiff suspension that could be uncomfortable on rough roads.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power but lacked the engaging driving experience of a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it highly capable off-road. Fuel efficiency was rated at 24 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Wilderness also included a dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered a comfortable and stylish interior, though it had some limitations. The seating position and comfort level were typical for its class, but rear legroom was limited, especially for taller passengers. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat. Cargo space was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The infotainment system controls were not the most intuitive, especially for shorter drivers.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and offered power adjustments, while the rear seats provided ample space for two adults or three children. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, making it ideal for rooftop camping. The interior was functional but lacked the premium feel of the Mazda CX-5's top trims.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was not user-friendly. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites made it cumbersome to use. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing users to bypass some of the system's shortcomings.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive, making it less user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, offering better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was surprising given its target demographic.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Additional features like a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system were available. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured Subaru's EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also included steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.