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2026 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Subaru Outback

Price, size, cabin, cargo, towing, safety and ownership side by side. Every value comes from the cited sources in each model-year profile, and gaps stay labeled instead of guessed.

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Swap A and B

Key differences

Where the published numbers differ

No overall winner: each line is one source-backed figure. Decide which ones matter for how you will use the SUV.

ACX-50 has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $5,095
  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 2.7 in
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 0.3 in

BOutback has

  • Overall lengthlonger by 5.9 in
  • Ground clearancemore ground clearance by 0.4 in
  • Front headroommore front headroom by 1.9 in
  • Cargo behind rear seatmore cargo behind the rear seat by 3.2 cu ft
  • Maximum cargomore maximum cargo by 24.2 cu ft

=Same figure

None of the compared fields are identical.

Head-to-head

The numbers, side by side

Bars share one scale starting at zero, so small real differences are not exaggerated. Where a profile lists several figures, the highest published one is used.

CX-50Outback
Starting price2026 Mazda CX-50: lower starting price by $5,095
$29,900
$34,995
Overall length2026 Subaru Outback: longer by 5.9 in
185.8 in
191.7 in
Wheelbase2026 Mazda CX-50: longer wheelbase by 2.7 in
110.8 in
108.1 in
Ground clearance2026 Subaru Outback: more ground clearance by 0.4 in
8.3 in
8.7 in
Rear legroom2026 Mazda CX-50: more rear legroom by 0.3 in
39.8 in
39.5 in
Front headroom2026 Subaru Outback: more front headroom by 1.9 in
39.1 in without moonroof
Up to 41.0 in
Cargo behind rear seat2026 Subaru Outback: more cargo behind the rear seat by 3.2 cu ft
31.4 cu ft
34.6 cu ft
Maximum cargo2026 Subaru Outback: more maximum cargo by 24.2 cu ft
56.3 cu ft
80.5 cu ft

Decision snapshot

Six buyer questions, without an overall winner.

Each card compares one documented criterion. A lead is shown only when both source-backed values use a compatible measurement; otherwise the raw facts stay visible and the criterion stays unresolved.

Starting priceStarting MSRP
ACX-50$29,900Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
BOutback$34,995Premium

2026 Mazda CX-50 has lower published starting MSRP by $5,095.

EfficiencyHybrid fuel economy
ACX-5039 / 37 / 38 mpgManufacturer-published U.S. specification
BOutbackNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
ACX-5056.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
BOutback80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure

2026 Subaru Outback has more published maximum cargo volume by 24.2 cu ft.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
ACX-5039.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
BOutback39.5 inSubaru U.S. specification

2026 Mazda CX-50 has more published rear/second-row legroom by 0.3 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
ACX-50Not verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile
BOutback2,700 lbProperly equipped

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
ACX-50Verify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date
BOutbackConfirm the 2026 Subaru warranty bookletCoverage tied to in-service date and mileage

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Table view

At a glance

Key specifications

4 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
Starting MSRPDifferent$29,900Manufacturer-published U.S. specification$34,995Premium
DrivetrainDifferentAWD standardManufacturer-published U.S. specificationSymmetrical AWDStandard
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent31.4 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure
Maximum cargoDifferent56.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification80.5 cu ft2026 published figure
Primary engine / systemData gap—No source-backed value verified yet2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputData gap—No source-backed value verified yet180 hp2.5L BOXER
SeatingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet52026 Subaru U.S. specification
Maximum towingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet2,700 lbProperly equipped

Price & trims

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
Starting MSRPDifferent$29,900Manufacturer-published U.S. specification$34,995Premium
Entry trimDifferent2.5 S Select · $29,900Gas AWDPremium · $34,9952.5L naturally aspirated
Highest listed trimDifferent2.5 Turbo · $37,900Turbo AWDTouring XT · $47,9952.4L turbo
Trim lineupDifferent2.5 S Select · 2.5 Turbo · Hybrid Preferred3 researched trimsPremium · Limited · Touring · Wilderness · Limited XT · Touring XT6 researched trims

Performance

Engine, output and drivetrain

1 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
DrivetrainDifferentAWD standardManufacturer-published U.S. specificationSymmetrical AWDStandard
Engine / primary systemData gap—No source-backed value verified yet2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputData gap—No source-backed value verified yet180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification
High-output / turbo engineData gap—No source-backed value verified yet2.4L turbo SUBARU BOXERWilderness and XT models
High-output / turbo powerData gap—No source-backed value verified yet260 hp / 277 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification
TransmissionData gap—No source-backed value verified yetLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification

Fuel & efficiency

Fuel and efficiency details

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
Hybrid fuel economyData gap39 / 37 / 38 mpgManufacturer-published U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Gas / base fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yet25 city / 31 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
AWD / alternate fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yet21 city / 29 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Off-road trim fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yet21 city / 27 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

Size & footprint

Exterior dimensions

3 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
WheelbaseDifferent110.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification108.1 inSubaru U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent185.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification191.7 inSubaru U.S. specification
Ground clearanceDifferent8.3 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification8.7 inMost trims
Overall widthData gap—No source-backed value verified yet74.0 inSubaru U.S. specification
Off-road ground clearanceData gap—No source-backed value verified yet9.5 inWilderness specification

Cabin

Interior space and seating

4 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
Front legroomDifferent41.7 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification43.0 inSubaru U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent39.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification39.5 inSubaru U.S. specification
Front headroomDifferent39.1 in without moonroofManufacturer-published U.S. specificationUp to 41.0 inRoof equipment dependent
Passenger volumeDifferent100.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specificationUp to 112.3 cu ftWithout moonroof
SeatingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet52026 Subaru U.S. specification
Rear headroomData gap—No source-backed value verified yet40.5 inSubaru U.S. specification

Cargo

Cargo space and practical measurements

2 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent31.4 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure
Maximum cargo volumeDifferent56.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure
Cargo length, seats upData gap—No source-backed value verified yet42.8 in2026 published specification
Cargo length, seats foldedData gap—No source-backed value verified yet75.9 in2026 published specification
Width between wheel housingsData gap—No source-backed value verified yet43.3 in2026 published specification
Hatch-opening widthData gap—No source-backed value verified yet44.3 in2026 published specification
Hatch-opening heightData gap—No source-backed value verified yet31.5 in2026 published specification
Cargo-area heightData gap—No source-backed value verified yet34.1 in2026 published specification

Utility

Towing, seating and capability

2 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent31.4 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure
Maximum cargoDifferent56.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure
Maximum towingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet2,700 lbProperly equipped
All-wheel driveData gap—No source-backed value verified yetSymmetrical AWDStandard

Safety

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
IIHS small overlap frontData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS updated sideData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS headlightsData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating

Ownership

Warranty and service planning

1 of 1 differ
Research fieldA2026 Mazda CX-50B2026 Subaru Outback
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferentVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service dateConfirm the 2026 Subaru warranty bookletCoverage tied to in-service date and mileage

Safety systems

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 Mazda

CX-50

Driver-assistance equipment is kept separate from crash ratings. Check the exact 2026 model on IIHS and NHTSA before relying on a rating or award.

  • Automatic emergency braking / forward-collision features
  • Lane-support features
  • Blind-spot systems where equipped
  • Check trim for available advanced driver assistance
B2026 Subaru

Outback

The redesigned 2026 Outback earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Subaru also makes EyeSight, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking and DriverFocus part of the new-generation safety story.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation

Cabin technology

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 Mazda

CX-50

  • Infotainment and phone integration vary by trim.
  • Camera, parking and premium-audio features vary by equipment.
  • Connected-services availability and trial periods can change.
B2026 Subaru

Outback

  • A 12.1-inch center touchscreen is standard on the redesigned 2026 Outback.
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated into the current STARLINK system.
  • DriverFocus is standard in the new-generation equipment strategy.
  • Upper trims add comfort, audio and driver-assistance equipment without changing the core cabin dimensions.

Evidence ledger

Source links and research freshness

Buying context

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 Mazda

CX-50

  1. AWD is standard across the lineup.
  2. Hybrid towing is lower than the referenced gas-model limit.
  3. The moonroof lowers published front headroom.
Research caveat

Use the exact trim, drivetrain, roof equipment and powertrain when a number is configuration-sensitive. Cargo volume does not prove that a rigid item fits through the hatch; measure the exact vehicle for close-fit use cases.

Updated 2026-09-232 research sources
B2026 Subaru

Outback

  1. This redesign is large enough that 2025 dimensions should not be used as substitutes for 2026 fit questions.
  2. The 2.5L is the efficiency-focused choice; the turbo is the relevant configuration for shoppers who need the higher tow rating or stronger acceleration.
  3. The hatch opening is lower than the maximum interior cargo height, so a tall rigid item can be limited by the doorway before the cabin itself.
  4. The 80.5-cu-ft maximum cargo figure and 75.9-inch folded floor length make the Outback unusually well documented for long-load planning.
Research caveat

Maximum hatch width, lower hatch width, wheel-housing width and internal maximum width describe different points. SUVLook keeps those fields separate so a larger number is not mistaken for guaranteed rectangular clearance.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources

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