2026 MAZDA CX-5 vs Subaru Forester

A Mazda CX-5 lease vehicle parked

You will not spot most of what separates two compact SUVs until you park them next to each other. Once you do that with the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester, it’s easy to see what makes the Mazda model stand out. Bakersfield Mazda covers the features that give it the edge over its competition.

Engine Output and Transmission Feel

Under the hood of the 2026 Mazda CX-5 sits a Skyactiv®-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic and standard i-Activ AWD®. The Subaru Forester puts out 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque from its 2.5-liter BOXER® four-cylinder, paired with a Lineartronic® continuously variable transmission on every trim. The defined gears in the new Mazda SUV give you a predictable step down the moment you need to pass, instead of the slow climb in engine speed that a continuously variable setup tends to produce.

Screen Size and Connected Technology

Technology is where the margin widens, since a 12.9-inch center display is standard on the entry-level 2026 Mazda CX-5, with a 15.6-inch screen available on its Premium Plus trim. Google built-in with the Gemini™ assistant handles navigation and voice requests, and a 10.25-inch digital tachometer keeps your driving data separate from your map. The Subaru Forester starts with dual 7.0-inch Subaru Multimedia touchscreens and only offers an 11.6-inch Subaru Multimedia Plus display further up the range, so the 2026 Mazda CX-5 gives you more screen space across its lineup.

Safety Credentials and Standard Driver Assistance

Third-party recognition backs the 2026 Mazda CX-5, which earned a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Mazda Radar Cruise Control™, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition are standard. The Subaru Forester includes EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology on every trim with Blind-Spot Detection available depending on configuration.

Find Your 2026 MAZDA CX-5 at Bakersfield Mazda

More power, a 12.9-inch standard display, and an award-winning safety record give the 2026 Mazda CX-5 the stronger overall case in this pairing. Our Mazda dealership in Bakersfield, CA, can answer trim-by-trim questions as you narrow the list. Visit us to test-drive the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and ask about Mazda financing options once you know which one fits.