Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5

DARE TO COMPARE
Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5
Subaru Outback
Mazda CX-5
At a Glance: Outback vs. CX-5

Want to get out and experience what the world has to offer? You’ll need a quality SUV to fuel your adventures near West Bloomfield, Novi and Farmington, MI. The 2023 Subaru Outback and the Mazda CX-5 are both popular options out on the road today; however, which one better fits your active lifestyle?

The team at LaFontaine Subaru knows how important it is to research your vehicle before you make your decision. That’s why we’ve created this in-depth comparison. Let’s go!


MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY

MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY

75.6 cu. ft. | 59.3 cu. ft.
Outback vs CX-5
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY

MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY

3,500 lbs. | 2,000 lbs.
Outback vs CX-5
STARTEX® UPHOLSTERY

STARTEX® UPHOLSTERY

Available | N/A
Outback vs CX-5
See the Difference for Yourself
Select a category below to learn more about how the Subaru Outback compares to the Mazda CX-5.
PERFORMANCE
Subaru Outback

Adventures can happen in many places, whether on the highway or off the beaten path. Having a capable drivetrain that can conquer tricky conditions, like rain and mud, means you can forge ahead with ease. Adaptability is key when it comes to power distribution to your vehicle’s wheels.

Take on Nature With Ease

Both the 2023 Outback and the CX-5 come standard with an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. On the Outback, you’ll find the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, while the Mazda CX-5 features i-Activ AWD®.

Unique to the Outback is X-MODE®, which ups the ante by further optimizing the drivetrain on tricky trails. You’ll have more traction, stability, and control on wet, uneven, and otherwise treacherous roads as the power is delivered where you need it, when you need it.

Pulling Power

The Mazda CX-5 has a maximum available towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.

You'll also have more power to bring along all your favorite things with the Outback. You'll have a maximum available towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. This is the difference between bringing a single jet ski for the annual trip to the lake house and bringing a couple so everyone can have fun.


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INTERIOR
Subaru Outback

Whether you’re planning to bring friends along on your next journey or packing your gear for a solo adventure, you’ll want an SUV with plenty of space. Simply put, the more the merrier.

Free to Kick Back and Relax

It’s easy to find out where your passengers will have more room. See the table below for how everyone can stretch out in these two rides:

Subaru Outback
vs
MAZDA CX-5
40.1 inches/39.1 inches Headroom (front/rear) 39.7 inches /39 inches
42.8 inches/39.5 inches Legroom (front/rear) 41 inches /39.6 inches
58.1 inches /57.4 inches Shoulder Room (front/rear) 57.1 inches /54.8 inches
Room for Play

In addition to more room overall for passenger comfort, the Subaru Outback also has extra cargo space, which is perfect for lugging around sporting equipment. With the rear seats upright, the Outback has 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the 30.8 cubic feet of cargo space you'll get with the CX-5.

When extra cargo space is needed, the rear seats in both vehicles can be folded down. That creates 75.6 cubic feet of cargo room for Outback drivers, while CX-5 drivers will only have 59.3 cubic feet of space to fill.


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CUSTOMIZATION
Subaru Outback

You are one of a kind, and you want a vehicle that shows that. Both the 2023 Outback and the 2023 CX-5 can be customized at every nook and cranny, but which one better helps you stand out among the crowd?

Express Yourself!

Both the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Outback have several trims to choose from. However, when it comes to exterior colors, you'll have eight options with the Mazda CX-5, mostly in the cool-tone color spectrum, but you can also get a nice shade of red. The Subaru has 10 available exterior colors, including these unique options:

  • Autumn Green Metallic
  • Brilliant Bronze Metallic
  • Dark Mahogany Pearl

From earthy tones to classic colors, you can fully express yourself in the Outback.

Prepared for the Unpredictable

If you can have an exterior that matches your mojo, why not add an interior to match? With various upholsteries to choose from in the Outback and the CX-5, that’s easy to do. Both models share these available textiles:

  • Cloth
  • Leather
  • Nappa Leather

However, the Subaru has a unique fabric available: StarTex® upholstery. This material is water-repellent and stain-resistant; so, if your adventures get a little dirty, your kid has spilled something in the back seat, or your dog shook its wet fur after a dip in the lake, this upholstery will make cleanup easy.


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The Subaru Takes the Win!
Subaru Outback

When viewed on their own, both vehicles can stand strong on all four wheels, but when comparing the features of the 2023 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5, there’s no real competition. The Outback outperforms in all categories.

To learn more about all the features of the Outback and how they can improve your commutes in and around West Bloomfield, Novi and Farmington, MI, schedule a test drive with LaFontaine Subaru today!

All of the tools you need to move forward with experiencing a new 2023 Outback for yourself are conveniently available right here online.