2023 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback an aggressive appearance, especially with the addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. The Outback's styling changes were polarizing, with some finding them appealing, especially in darker paint colours that subdued the design's excesses. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding, offering a more cohesive look. The Outback was available in seven trims, with the Onyx Edition priced at $38,695 in Canada. The Limited trim, tested in Cosmic Blue with Java Brown premium Nappa leather, offered a luxurious interior with contrasting leather and stitching, creating an upscale and cohesive cabin. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior maintained a quality feel, though the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim were prone to dust and smudges.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its design from the second-generation model introduced in 2017, which had aged well and remained modern and appealing. The test vehicle, in the new-for-2024 Suna trim, featured exclusive Zircon Sand paint and Terracotta leather seats with black artificial suede inserts. Mazda improved the fuel economy of the base engine, removed a machined-finish 19-inch wheel design, and added wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to several trims. The CX-5 lineup included base engine and 2.5 Turbo models, with the Turbo offering 256 hp on premium gas. In Canada, trims ranged from GS to Signature, with prices from $35,476 to $48,276, including destination charges. The Suna trim, priced at $47,026, came with the Turbo engine as standard. The CX-5's interior materials, seating, technology, and drivetrain upgrades over the years resulted in an upscale crossover SUV at a mainstream price.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped reduce the vehicle's centre of gravity and provided a characteristic grumble and vibration. The standard engine produced 182 hp at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, but the 1,705-kilogram Outback felt underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, but the engine's fuel efficiency was disappointing, with a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km, higher than the expected 8.3 L/100 km. The Outback XT, with a 2.4-litre flat-four turbocharged engine, offered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better acceleration and performance. The XT models were less fuel-efficient, with ratings of 9.5 L/100 km combined, and the Wilderness trim rated at 10.1 L/100 km. The Outback's suspension provided a firm ride at lower speeds and absorbed bumps well at higher speeds, offering excellent ride quality. The Active Torque Split AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced the Outback's off-road capabilities, while its excellent visibility and compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo delivered 256 hp at 5,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm on premium gas, with slightly lower figures on regular gas. The powertrain was more rewarding with a steady acceleration, allowing the revs to build before delivering a wave of torque. The CX-5 Turbo's fuel efficiency was unimpressive, with a combined rating of 10.3 L/100 km, higher than the official 9.8 L/100 km. The base engine offered better fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 9.3 L/100 km. The CX-5's tall and narrow feel provided excellent visibility, making it easy to maneuver in traffic and parking lots. Mazda's suspension tuning, frame stiffening, and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology improved the ride quality and handling, making the CX-5 feel sophisticated and stable. The CX-5 offered a quiet ride on highways, lively handling in the city, and stability on twisty roads. It could tow up to 900 kilograms and had a decent 20 centimetres of ground clearance for off-road trails.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Limited trim offered comfort with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, and heated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback provided ample legroom and comfort for four passengers, with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The cargo space measured 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the back seat folded down, accommodating full-size suitcases and bulkier items. The robust roof rails and rack were ready for accessories, though more practical storage space in the cabin would be beneficial.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 offered standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with redesigned seats providing comfort and support. The driver’s seat had six-way power adjustment, and passengers could manually adjust seat height. Leather was standard on all trims except the base GS and GX, with premium Nappa leather on the Signature trim. The CX-5's interior was snug but comfortable for four adults, with supportive rear seats and soft front seatback material. Rear air conditioning vents and a centre armrest with cupholders and a storage tray enhanced comfort. The cabin's design and quality elevated the CX-5 above most mass-market rivals, though the cupholders were awkward. The cargo area offered 871 litres behind the back seat and 1,680 litres with the rear seat folded down, less than most compact crossovers.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity from the Touring trim, with subscription-based Starlink connected services available. The infotainment system's usability improved, though the graphics and colourful icons were not appealing. The voice recognition system was ineffective, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto essential. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was unavailable.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 avoided touchscreen infotainment systems, providing traditional controls for stereo volume, radio tuning, climate, and driving modes. The 10.25-inch display allowed touchscreen operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while driving, with wireless connectivity available in several trims. The Mazda Connect system used a large knob and surrounding buttons for navigation, with a Star button for quick access to specific settings. Mazda Connected Services offered remote engine starting, a find my car feature, and automatic 911 dialing. Several trims featured a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, enhancing the SUV's premium interior.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, enhancing safety features and supporting new pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The Outback earned top marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Touring grade added blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Premier XT offered a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were less impressive, with artificial steering feel. The rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways, requiring manual deactivation.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Higher trims offered adaptive headlights, traffic sign recognition, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 had previously earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though not in 2024. The NHTSA awarded the CX-5 five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.