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2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Mazda CX-50

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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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.

AForester has

  • Ground clearancemore ground clearance by 0.4 in
  • Front headroommore front headroom by 2.1 in
  • Maximum cargomore maximum cargo by 18.1 cu ft

BCX-50 has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $95
  • Overall lengthlonger by 2.5 in
  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 5.7 in
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 0.4 in
  • Cargo behind rear seatmore cargo behind the rear seat by 1.8 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.

ForesterCX-50
Starting price2026 Mazda CX-50: lower starting price by $95
$29,995
$29,900
Overall length2026 Mazda CX-50: longer by 2.5 in
183.3 in
185.8 in
Wheelbase2026 Mazda CX-50: longer wheelbase by 5.7 in
105.1 in
110.8 in
Ground clearance2026 Subaru Forester: more ground clearance by 0.4 in
8.7 in
8.3 in
Rear legroom2026 Mazda CX-50: more rear legroom by 0.4 in
39.4 in
39.8 in
Front headroom2026 Subaru Forester: more front headroom by 2.1 in
Up to 41.2 in
39.1 in without moonroof
Cargo behind rear seat2026 Mazda CX-50: more cargo behind the rear seat by 1.8 cu ft
29.6 cu ft
31.4 cu ft
Maximum cargo2026 Subaru Forester: more maximum cargo by 18.1 cu ft
74.4 cu ft
56.3 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
AForester$29,995Base gas Forester
BCX-50$29,900Manufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Mazda CX-50 has lower published starting MSRP by $95.

EfficiencyGas / base fuel economy
AForesterUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
BCX-50Not 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
AForester74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
BCX-5056.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Subaru Forester has more published maximum cargo volume by 18.1 cu ft.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
AForester39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification
BCX-5039.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Mazda CX-50 has more published rear/second-row legroom by 0.4 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
AForester1,500 lbProperly equipped
BCX-50Not verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile

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

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
AForesterConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage
BCX-50Verify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date

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 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
Starting MSRPDifferent$29,995Base gas Forester$29,900Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary engine / systemData gap2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Primary outputData gap180 hp2.5L BOXER—No source-backed value verified yet
DrivetrainDifferentSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineupAWD standardManufacturer-published U.S. specification
SeatingData gap5Subaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration31.4 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Maximum cargoDifferent74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration56.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Maximum towingData gap1,500 lbProperly equipped—No source-backed value verified yet

Price & trims

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
Starting MSRPDifferent$29,995Base gas Forester$29,900Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Entry trimDifferentBase · $29,995Gas2.5 S Select · $29,900Gas AWD
Highest listed trimDifferentTouring Hybrid · $41,545Hybrid2.5 Turbo · $37,900Turbo AWD
Trim lineupDifferentBase · Premium · Premium Hybrid · Sport · Wilderness · Sport Hybrid · Limited · Limited Hybrid · Touring · Touring Hybrid10 researched trims2.5 S Select · 2.5 Turbo · Hybrid Preferred3 researched trims

Performance

Engine, output and drivetrain

1 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
Engine / primary systemData gap2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Primary outputData gap180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid outputData gap194 hpSubaru Hybrid System—No source-backed value verified yet
TransmissionData gapLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
DrivetrainDifferentSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineupAWD standardManufacturer-published U.S. specification

Fuel & efficiency

Fuel and efficiency details

1 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
Gas / base fuel economyData gapUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates—No source-backed value verified yet
AWD / alternate fuel economyData gapAbout 25 city / 32 highway mpgSubaru published estimates—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid fuel economyDifferent35 city / 34 highway mpgSubaru published estimates39 / 37 / 38 mpgManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Off-road trim fuel economyData gapAbout 24 city / 28 highway mpgSubaru published estimates—No source-backed value verified yet
Driving rangeData gapUp to 581 milesSubaru published estimate—No source-backed value verified yet

Size & footprint

Exterior dimensions

3 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
WheelbaseDifferent105.1 inSubaru U.S. specification110.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent183.3 inMost trims185.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Overall widthData gap72.0 inMost trims—No source-backed value verified yet
Ground clearanceDifferent8.7 inMost trims8.3 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Off-road ground clearanceData gap9.3 inSubaru Wilderness specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Cabin

Interior space and seating

4 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
SeatingData gap5Subaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front legroomDifferent43.3 inSubaru U.S. specification41.7 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification39.8 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Front headroomDifferentUp to 41.2 inEquipment dependent39.1 in without moonroofManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Passenger volumeDifferentUp to 110.8 cu ftConfiguration dependent100.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification

Cargo

Cargo space and practical measurements

2 of 2 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration31.4 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Maximum cargo volumeDifferent74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration56.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification

Utility

Towing, seating and capability

2 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
Maximum towingData gap1,500 lbProperly equipped—No source-backed value verified yet
All-wheel driveData gapSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo behind rear seatDifferentUp to 29.6 cu ftRoomiest published configuration31.4 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Maximum cargoDifferentUp to 74.4 cu ftRoomiest published configuration56.3 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification

Safety

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
IIHS small overlap frontData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS updated sideData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS headlightsData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet

Ownership

Warranty and service planning

1 of 1 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru ForesterB2026 Mazda CX-50
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferentConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileageVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date

Safety systems

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 Subaru

Forester

The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and includes EyeSight driver-assistance technology. The hybrid also carries a published NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from Subaru’s U.S. materials.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise functions
  • Available blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert
  • DriverFocus available on upper trims
B2026 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

Cabin technology

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 Subaru

Forester

  • An 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available on higher trims.
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation is included on selected upper trims.
  • Power rear gate and panoramic moonroof availability depend on trim and package.
  • Hybrid models integrate Subaru’s electrified power display and energy-management information.
B2026 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.

Evidence ledger

Source links and research freshness

Buying context

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 Subaru

Forester

  1. Forester is unusually easy to shortlist for tall drivers because Subaru publishes 43.3 inches of front legroom and up to 41.2 inches of headroom.
  2. The hybrid materially improves city fuel economy while keeping standard AWD, but its pricing and packaging differ from the gas lineup.
  3. Wilderness trades some fuel economy for extra ground clearance and a substantially higher published tow rating.
  4. Moonroof and equipment packaging can reduce published cargo volume, so compare the exact trim instead of relying on the maximum 74.4-cu-ft figure.
Research caveat

SUVLook does not carry the separate 2025 third-party linear cargo measurements forward as guaranteed 2026 dimensions. This profile uses 2026 data only where the existing research supports it.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources
B2026 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

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