Subaru Crosstrek Vs. Mazda CX-5: Which is Better?
The Mazda CX-5 is a superior compact SUV when compared to the smaller Subaru Crosstrek. Here are the details!
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Subaru Crosstrek may be a little cheaper than the Mazda CX-5, but the Mazda is worth the extra expense with more features and better performance.
Compact SUVs are a dime a dozen these days, to the point where they can all start to seem kind of the same. But when you compare the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Crosstrek, some important differences emerge right away.
Here to help tease out the differences and determine the best one for you is
Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
that compares more than just car insurance
policies. Read on for an in-depth comparison of these two popular compact SUVs, along with the inside scoop on how to get cheap car insurance no matter what you drive. Crosstrek vs. Mazda CX-5: Which is more expensive?
Let’s begin with the basics—just much will each of these run you? The CX-5 offers eight trim levels to the Crosstrek’s five, but there’s a clear winner when it comes to sticker price: the Subaru Crosstrek.
At the lowest trim level, the CX-5 starts at almost $3,000 more than the Crosstrek. This trend continues as you progress through the trim levels, with the Crosstrek maxing out at $36,770 and the CX-5 pushing into the $40,000 zone.
Take a look at a side-by-side comparison of trim levels and MSRPs:
Model | Starting MSRP | Model | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
Crosstrek Base | $24,320 | CX-5 Base | $27,525 |
Crosstrek Premium | $24,720 | CX-5 Select | $29,525 |
Crosstrek Sport | $27,920 | CX-5 Preferred | $31,225 |
Crosstrek Limited | $29,420 | CX-5 Carbon Edition | $32,345 |
Crosstrek Hybrid | $36,770 | CX-5 Premium | $33,935 |
CX-5 Premium Plus | $35,575 | ||
CX-5 Turbo | $38,025 | ||
CX-5 Turbo Signature | $40,275 |
Ownership costs
Upfront costs are all well and good, but there’s a bigger picture: how do the long-term costs of ownership stack up for each of these vehicles?
Edmunds estimates that the true five-year cost to own a 2022 base trim Subaru Crosstrek is around $33,320. By comparison, the 2022 base trim Mazda CX-5 has a five-year cost of $36,313.
The total cost of the CX-5 is higher than the Crosstrek by an amount that’s equivalent to the MSRP, and the additional costs over five years amount to around the same in both as well: about $9,000.
So the upshot of all this is that while the Crosstek is less money at the outset and over five years, neither one of them is a particularly better or worse investment in this regard. But keep in mind that this is for the base level trims, and these figures can fluctuate according to features and options.
Insurance costs
How about insurance? How much you pay for your coverage can vary greatly according to the kind of car you drive, so let’s take a look at the average insurance cost for each one.
Generally,
Mazda CX-5 insurance costs
are slightly cheaper than the Subaru Crosstrek, at around $1,647 annually for the Mazda. By comparison, Subaru Crosstrek insurance costs
will be around $1,911 annually. Remember that this is for a base level trim, and insurance costs will vary widely by state.
Why might the Crosstrek be slightly more to insure than the CX-5? While both cars have great safety ratings, the CX-5 is slightly better, earning a Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2022, while the Crosstrek garnered a basic Top Safety Pick.
What’s that extra safety Plus worth on the CX-5? Evidently, about 300 bucks.
Winner: Subaru Crosstrek
If you’re simply looking for the least amount of money at the dealership, then the winner here will be the Crosstrek.
But that being said, $300 more a year in insurance over the course of 10 years will amount to around $3,000, which is roughly the difference between comparable trim levels on the two.
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Subaru Crosstrek vs. Mazda CX-5: In-Depth Comparison
So the Crosstek is less expensive than the Mazda CX-5, but that in and of itself doesn’t mean it’s the better vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at some vital specs and details of the two, and see if a clearer picture emerges.
Body style and size
Both the Crosstrek and the CX-5 fall in the compact SUV category, although some place the Crosstrek in the extra small category. A quick glance will confirm the difference: the Mazda CX-5 is larger in just about every dimension.
While both of these vehicles will seat five, the CX-5 will have more room in the back seat and for cargo, the latter being an important aspect to take into consideration when purchasing an SUV. However, it is worth pointing out that the Crosstrek has over an inch more ground clearance, which means it would do better in successfully navigating some minor off-road driving scenarios.
Dimensions | 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 2022 Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 104.9 inches | 106.2 inches |
Length | 176.5 | 180.1 |
Passenger volume | 100.9 cubic feet | 103.6 cubic feet |
Headroom (front/rear) | 39.8/38 inches | 39.7/39 inches |
Legroom (front/rear) | 43.1/36.5 inches | 41.0/39.6 inches |
Cargo volume w/seats up | 20.8 cubic feet | 30.8 cubic feet |
Cargo volume w/seats down | 55.3 cubic feet | 59.3 cubic feet |
Ground clearance | 8.7 inches | 7.5 inches |
Base curb weight | 3,188 lbs | 3,717 lbs |
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Engine and performance
There are two engine options available for the Crosstrek and the CX-5, and both are only offered with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.
The Crosstrek has a base 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine that can generate 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Upgrading will get you a more powerful 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder that will provide 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
The Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, starts with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that can produce 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. From there you can move up to a 2.5-liter twin-turbo inline-four, which will deliver 277 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
If you’re looking to tow, you’ll have more ability with the CX-5 with its maximum capacity of 2,000 pounds, versus the Crosstrek’s 1,500. The CX-5 is faster as well, with a 0 to 60 time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 129 mph, while the Crosstrek lags behind with a 0 to 60 time of 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 109 mph.
If you’d like a hybrid option, then a Crosstrek is the way to go. There’s a plug-in hybrid model available at an MSRP of $36,770, but it only has an all-electric range of 17 miles.
One of the strong points of a Mazda is that it provides an engaging driving experience that seems above and beyond its moderate price tag, and the CX-5 delivers on this in spades. If you’re looking for the best performance and most enjoyable driving experience, the answer’s clear: pick the CX-5.
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Fuel economy
With their gasoline-only versions, the Crosstrek is better on fuel economy than the CX-5, likely owing to its lighter weight and less powerful engines. According to the EPA, the CX-5 gets a rating of 22/27/24 mpg (city/highway/combined), while the Crosstrek yields a rating of 28/33/30 mpg.
But if you just want to maximize your mileage, then the clear winner is the hybrid Crosstrek, with a combined rating of 35 mpg.
Safety
Both Mazda and Subaru have outstanding reputations for safety, which is great. But the Mazda CX-5 has a slight edge over the Subaru Crosstrek when it comes to crash testing.
The CX-5 gets points for having a nice amount of driver assistance and safety tech standard, with features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings/lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Crosstrek has these features as well, but you’ll have to pay extra.
Perhaps the standard safety tech was one of the reasons why the CX-5 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus, while the Crosstrek just earned a Top Safety Pick. Both the CX-5 and the Crosstrek got a five-star rating overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the CX-5 fared slightly better in the frontal crash tests.
Tech
Both the Crosstrek and the CX-5 offer nice touchscreen-based infotainment systems, but the Mazda boasts a 10.3-inch screen across the board, while the Subaru has a 6.5-inch screen, with a larger 8-inch screen available at the top two trim levels. Navigation is optional in all trim levels of the CX-5 but is only offered in the top two trims of the Crosstrek.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on both cars. If you like your tech plentiful and more upscale, then you’ll want to direct your attention to the higher level trims of CX-5, with features like a 10-speaker Bose sound system and a Wi-fi hotspot.
Interior and comfort
This is another area where the Mazda CX-5 has a comfortable lead. While the Crosstreck prioritizes function over comfort, the CX-5 achieves both, and with an overall vibe of luxury and quality that feels way more advanced than the sticker price would suggest.
While the interior of the Crosstrek feels a bit drab and spartan, the CX-5 is awash in top-notch materials and exceptional aesthetic accents. Features like heated seats are available in the higher trim levels of both vehicles, but only the CX-5 offers such niceties as ventilated seats and power lumbar support.
MORE: How to repair leather car seats
Winner: Mazda CX-5
Even though it’s more expensive, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 is the clear winner here. Better safety ratings, more options, a more powerful engine, and a pleasing driving experience all illustrate why Mazdas have a reputation as being one of the best deals around when it comes to quality and value.
This doesn’t make the Subaru Crosstrek a bad choice, though, and depending on your priorities it just might be a better fit for you. But in general, The CX-5 represents a better vehicle and a great value.
How to save on compact SUV insurance costs
There are a lot of compact SUVs to choose from, and no matter which one you select you’ll want to make sure that you get the best deal possible on the
car insurance
coverage you need.
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