2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, was a standout in the compact crossover SUV segment, offering a stylish design and high-quality materials that gave it a luxury feel. It featured a turbocharged engine option that delivered impressive power and earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's rebranding efforts. The CX-5 was praised for its quality, refinement, and sophistication across all trim levels, with the 2.5 Turbo Signature model showcasing premium features like Nappa leather upholstery and a striking Rhodium White metallic paint.

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged appeal with a few updates, such as a new front fascia and LED fog lights for the Wilderness trim. The Outback's design, with its dark gray cladding and Autumn Green Metallic color, was both appealing and distinctive. The various trims offered different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with tasteful chrome accents on the Touring trim. Inside, the Outback impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, providing a more luxurious feel than expected from Subaru. The interior materials varied across trims, with options like StarTex synthetic leather and cloth seats for lower trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The turbo engine provided a thrilling driving experience, especially on twisty roads, thanks to its generous torque and responsive six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-5's structural and suspension updates enhanced its driving dynamics, making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing, achieving 21.4 mpg in combined driving.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, while the XT and Wilderness trims boasted a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine improved the Outback's performance, especially in terms of towing capacity, which increased to 3,500 lbs. The Lineartronic CVT mimicked the feel of an eight-speed transmission, and the steering and braking systems provided a comfortable and capable driving experience. The Outback's ground clearance and off-road capabilities were enhanced in the Wilderness trim, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's interior offered improved comfort and support with updated front seats, and higher trims featured luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with a cramped back seat and smaller cargo area compared to competitors. The cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with them folded down. The lack of a touchscreen infotainment system and limited voice recognition capabilities were notable drawbacks, making the user experience less intuitive.

The 2024 Subaru Outback excelled in interior space, offering more headroom and legroom than rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area provided 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback's feature availability was impressive, with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat standard on most trims. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof added convenience, while the heated steering wheel was a welcome addition for colder climates.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system, despite its appealing 10.25-inch display, was criticized for its lack of a helpful voice recognition system and awkward physical controls. The system required memorization and focus, making it less user-friendly than touchscreens. However, it offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system on upper trims. The surround-view camera system and front-facing camera added convenience for parking.

The 2024 Subaru Outback's technology offerings included a larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen on higher trims, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions. Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM were standard, and most trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The inclusion of both USB-C and USB-A ports ensured compatibility with various devices.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. The i-Activsense suite of driver assistance technologies was comprehensive, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a head-up display. However, the lack of a warning message for driving without headlights at night was a concern.

The 2024 Subaru Outback received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. The addition of a wide-angle camera and driver-attention monitor on the Touring trim enhanced safety. Reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were standard on higher trims.