2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that combined elegance with ruggedness. Its styling featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with the cabin positioned towards the rear wheels, embodying Mazda's signature subtle seductiveness. However, the CX-50 introduced a new rugged appeal with its blistered fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. The oversized air intakes and vents added a performance edge without being visually overwhelming. The standard black grille and mirror caps, along with available 20-inch alloy wheels, enhanced its exterior appeal. The CX-50 Meridian Edition further added exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, and a roof-mounted load platform.

Inside, the CX-50's interior was a blend of driver-focused design and quality materials. The black leather with caramel-coloured stitching on the seats, dashboard, and door panels highlighted Mazda's attention to detail. The interior featured round analog and digital gauges, polished metallic trim, and a mix of controls. Vertical air vents framed the instrument cluster, though the lone off-centre vent seemed out of place. Despite this, the CX-50 maintained a stylish and functional interior, offering a terracotta upholstery option on higher trims.

The 2024 Subaru Outback retained its familiar look with minor tweaks to the Wilderness trim, including a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark grey cladding contrasted with the Autumn Green Metallic paint, creating an appealing aesthetic. The Outback's trims varied in black and chrome fittings, with the Premier XT trim featuring tasteful chrome accents. Wheel designs differed by trim, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black wheels and the Premier XT adding a machine finish.

Inside, the Outback's top-trim model impressed with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a luxurious feel unexpected from Subaru. The Limited trims featured standard leather, while the Onyx and Wilderness trims used StarTex synthetic leather. The Outback's interior was spacious and comfortable, with thoughtful features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel, making it a practical choice for those seeking comfort and capability.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base GT model featured a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It delivered fuel efficiency of 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. The GT Turbo trim, with a turbocharged version of the engine, produced between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type, and torque ranged from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. The turbo model improved towing capacity to 1,587 kg and offered a smooth driving experience with minimal turbo lag. The CX-50's Mi-Drive modes and G-Vectoring Control ensured consistent vehicle behaviour across different driving conditions.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a 2.5-litre flat-four engine producing 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, upgraded to a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, enhancing towing capacity to 1,587 kg. The CVT mimicked eight gears, providing a smooth driving experience. The Outback's suspension and ground clearance of 22 cm (24.1 cm for Wilderness) made it suitable for off-road adventures. The dual-function X-Mode offered selectable driving modes for various terrains, enhancing its off-road capability.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 provided a comfortable interior with heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ample rear seat space. The rear doors opened wide for easy access, and the cargo area offered 889 litres of space, expandable to 1,595 litres. However, storage options were limited, with missed opportunities for additional bins and shelves.

The 2024 Subaru Outback excelled in interior space, offering more headroom and legroom than competitors like the CR-V and RAV4. The cargo area measured 923 litres, expanding to 2,141 litres with rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a power liftgate. The hands-free power liftgate and retractable roof rails added convenience, while the heated steering wheel provided comfort in cold climates.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system featuring a 10.25-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While Mazda Connect lacked touchscreen control for its native system, it allowed touch input for smartphone integration. The available Bose 12-speaker sound system and Active Driving Display enhanced the driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, becoming wireless from the Touring trim. The Starlink multimedia platform included climate controls on the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions. Most trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing a rich sound experience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with some limitations in headlight configurations and pedestrian collision avoidance. It offered a comprehensive suite of driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centring. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to detect vehicles cutting in.

The 2024 Subaru Outback received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The addition of a wide-angle camera improved pedestrian detection, and the Premier XT trim included a digital rearview mirror and driver-attention monitor.