Subaru Forester vs. Mazda CX-5
Performance
Both the new Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 lineups come equipped with standard all-wheel drive. However, the Forester lineup has the legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Unlike other systems, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive will actively send power to all four wheels, and if any of the wheels slips, the system will divert power to the wheels with the most traction, ensuring that you'll always have control and the utmost handling, regardless of weather or terrain. The Mazda CX-5 models use a traditional all-wheel drive system that doesn't reallocate power into the wheels with the most grip, leading to less traction on slippery surfaces.
The Mazda CX-5 lineup offers engines with more horsepower than the Subaru Forester does, but that doesn't mean they're best suited for Wisconsin climates and activities. All Subaru Forester models come equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine that delivers 182-horsepower and 176 pounds-feet of torque, all while providing impressive fuel economy in the city and on the highway. The Boxer engine uses horizontally opposed pistons rather than vertical ones, meaning it can be placed lower in the vehicle, leading to a lower center of gravity and more stability.
The new Subaru Forester models all come equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission, providing you with a smooth and responsive driving experience, as the CVT doesn't shift between gears, instead always picking the optimal output. You can also take advantage of available paddle shifters on Forester models, letting you have more control over simulated shifting when you want to get more engaged. The Mazda CX-5 lineup all come equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Features
All Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 models have a cutting-edge suite of driver assistance features, with many similar offerings in the base model and throughout the lineup. However, all Subaru Forester models come equipped with LED steering responsive headlights, a feature that lets the lights swivel in the direction that you're turning, making it easier to see around corners as you're turning them. The Mazda CX-5 lineup does offer a similar adaptive headlight features, but it's only available on the pricier S Premium model and up.
