2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, with prices starting at $25,195 and topping out at $35,295 for the Touring model. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. With additional options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and power rear liftgate, the total price came to $36,014. The Wilderness trim added rugged features like a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving it a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance.

Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over aesthetics, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, featuring physical knobs and buttons for easy navigation. Despite its rugged exterior, the Forester's interior remained practical and straightforward, with copper-colored stitching and accents adding a touch of flair. Overall, the 2022 Forester was well-made, but the Wilderness trim's unique styling elements were not universally appealing.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a striking design with a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, exuding a subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's recent models. The CX-50 also introduced a rugged aesthetic with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body cladding, and fake skid plates. The standard black grille and mirror caps, along with available 20-inch wheels, contributed to its appealing exterior. A new CX-50 Meridian Edition was set to join the lineup later in the model year, offering exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform.

The CX-50 came in two versions: the 2.5 S with a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the 2.5 Turbo with a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel. Prices ranged from $26,800 to $41,550, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. The top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, tested in Zircon Sand Metallic paint, had an MSRP of $43,170. Inside, the CX-50 featured black leather with caramel-colored stitching, a driver-focused design, and quality materials. However, the off-center air vent on the dashboard was a minor design flaw. Overall, the CX-50 was a good-looking compact crossover with a blend of ruggedness and elegance.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Wilderness model featured a CVT design that provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's driving dynamics were pleasing, with the CVT offering eight programmed ratios and a Sport mode for more lively response. The dual-function X-Mode system allowed drivers to choose settings based on the terrain, and the re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling. The Wilderness trim added longer springs and shocks, raising the ground clearance to 9.2 inches and improving approach, breakover, and departure angles. Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires and a standard aluminum front skid plate enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Forester excelled in various environments, from city streets to off-road trails, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two powertrain options. The 2.5 S model had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD. Mazda estimated a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg for this model. The 2.5 Turbo variant featured a turbocharged engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp and 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft of torque, depending on the fuel type. The turbo model had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and an estimated combined fuel economy of 25 mpg, though real-world testing averaged 23.4 mpg.

The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration with minimal turbo lag, and its various drive modes (Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing) worked with G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology to ensure consistent vehicle behavior. The CX-50 felt firm on the road, with a hint of torque steer during tight turns. It handled well on pavement, resembling a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a higher ride height and up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The CX-50 was capable off-road but lacked a downhill assist control system, and the upcoming Meridian Edition with all-terrain tires might not match the Subaru Wilderness models on challenging terrain. The CX-50 Turbo also demonstrated reliable towing capabilities, though it might struggle on steep grades.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable rear seatbacks, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The upgraded roof rails could accommodate a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester offered comfortable seating with excellent visibility, rear air conditioning vents, and quick-charge ports. Storage space was decent, though Subaru missed opportunities for additional storage solutions.

Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the 60/40-split rear seat down increased the capacity to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs. The squared-off cargo area and new ceiling-mounted cargo hooks added to its practicality. The Wilderness trim also included a full-size spare tire under the cargo floor.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were effective in maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was spacious enough for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports in most trims. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, facilitating easy entry and exit.

Storage space in the CX-50 was adequate, though Mazda missed opportunities for additional storage solutions. The available smartphone charger was conveniently located under the center armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than the CX-5. The long load floor and side bins added to its practicality, though the maximum cargo space of 56.3 cubic feet was less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base trim, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. The Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting through an active Starlink plan. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims included an 8-inch screen, with options for a navigation system and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also featured a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The Harman Kardon audio system delivered clear, rich sound, and the navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The PIN Code Access feature allowed outdoor enthusiasts to leave the key fob in the SUV and re-enter using a PIN code.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services, including a WiFi hotspot, remote engine starting, and automatic collision notification. The base 2.5 S model had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a larger 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect historically lacked touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the screen was still distant from the driver. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (HUD) projected useful data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, featuring a wider field of vision for improved accuracy and smoothness. The new Automatic Emergency Steering system operated at speeds under 50 mph to enhance stability during evasive maneuvers. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The system performed well on highways, though a safety system warning light issue occurred during testing. Standard and available safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction, with a new gesture control function for climate adjustments. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2022 Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, and it was expected to retain the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, similar to other Mazda models. It offered a comprehensive package of standard driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control system had a minor issue with recognizing slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead, but overall, the driving assistance systems worked well.