2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat unremarkable exterior, offered a practical and functional design. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was reminiscent of many Foresters seen over the years, contributing to its understated appearance. The Premier trim, however, stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, adding a touch of elegance. The Forester's design was characterized by its boxy shape, flared fenders, and distinctive lighting, which, while not particularly attractive, served its purpose well. Inside, the Premier trim featured exclusive brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, creating a traditional yet functional cabin. The interior was dominated by hard plastics, making it easy to clean, and the control layout relied on traditional buttons and knobs, ensuring ease of use.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented a more rugged and modern design compared to its sibling, the CX-5. It was wider, lower, and longer, with a stretched wheelbase, giving it a broad-shouldered stance. The Meridian Edition, in particular, emphasized its adventurous image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. The earthy colour palette, including Polymetal Grey Metallic and Zircon Sand Metallic, complemented the Terracotta leather upholstery inside. The interior design was pleasing, with a BMW-like infotainment screen and impressive material quality. However, Mazda's aspiration to move upscale was still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually adjustable passenger seat in the base model.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic. The Forester featured Subaru's Intelligent Drive SI-Drive system with a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. Additionally, all Foresters came with an X-Mode off-road traction control system, with Deep Snow and Mud settings available from the Sport trim onwards. The Forester Wilderness trim offered even more off-road capability with all-terrain tires and various modifications. During testing, the Forester Premier demonstrated its prowess in adverse weather conditions, handling flooded roads and muddy trails with ease. While the engine was adequate, the Forester's driving dynamics, including light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and excellent suspension tuning, contributed to a comfortable and engaging ride. However, the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, and a turbocharged engine or hybrid option would have been welcome additions.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. All models featured a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. Turbo models also included a Towing mode, increasing towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. While the CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5, it provided a different driving experience, focusing more on comfort than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and reduced grip, but the CX-50 remained well-mannered overall. The roof platform contributed to wind noise at highway speeds, but the CX-50 was otherwise a competent daily driver.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and user-friendly design. The Touring trim provided features like a panoramic glass sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and more. Higher trims offered StarTex artificial leather or genuine leather upholstery, along with dual-zone climate control. The Forester excelled in outward visibility, thanks to its tall glass and thin pillars, making it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to excessive solar heating, and the rear seats lacked comfort for taller adults. Interior storage was plentiful, with well-sealed doors and a spacious cargo area. The Forester offered 762 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,957 litres with them folded, providing ample room for various needs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom. It provided 889 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,595 litres with them folded. While the CX-50 trailed some competitors in cargo space, it offered a power liftgate for easier access. The Meridian Edition's rugged looks didn't translate to added functionality, and the cargo area wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The interior featured a sensible layout with adequate storage space, and Mazda retained a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console, proving that space-saving measures weren't necessary.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology might have appeared outdated, but it offered a user-friendly experience. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and more. An 8-inch touchscreen was available, along with a navigation system and Harman Kardon audio. The Forester's older Subaru Starlink infotainment system was preferred for its physical controls, separate climate controls, and easy-to-use interface. However, the voice-recognition system was nearly useless, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto the preferred options for navigation and other tasks.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, controlled by a rotary controller and buttons on the centre console. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims offering wireless phone charging, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. While the touchscreen-free interface required adjustment, it provided physical feedback and was easy to use without taking eyes off the road. The infotainment system felt dated, but it suited buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight collection of collision avoidance and driver assist technologies, with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims added features like Automatic Emergency Steering and Rear Automatic Braking (RAB). The Forester's safety systems performed well, but the RAB system could be overly sensitive. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with some areas for improvement in side-impact and frontal-impact tests. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings across the board.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 received a 2023 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received a lower score for nighttime pedestrian detection and standard headlights. The NHTSA provided partial ratings, with a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating. The CX-50 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, with additional options available for enhanced safety.