Subaru or Mazda?

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pbm

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A family member asked me my thoughts on buying a new CUV and likes the Subaru Forester. I'm partial to Mazda (probably the CX-5 would be comparable to the Forester). Since I have not followed Subaru closely (but do like them) I have a few questions for Subaru guys.

1) I remember Subaru had some head gasket issues with the 2.5....has that issue been solved?
2) I also remember complaints of oil burning but that may have been the 2.0....does the 2.5 have oil burning issues?
3) I think the Forester has a CVT ??....has it been problematic (like Nissan's)?
4) Has there been much changed for 2025?. I ask because a 2024 can be bought for a couple of thousand less.

Any info or opinions, pro or con, on a new Forester would be appreciated. Would you prefer it or the CX-5? Thanks in advance.
 
I had a 2022 Forester (Wilderness version). Liked it, only traded it bc I need to tow.

1. Solved.
2. No issues for me there at all. I think that has been solved as well.
3. CVT worked flawlessly for me. Probably one of the better ones out there.
4. Don't know that one.

After 2 years and 40k miles, I'd give it my recommendation. And on top of that, the oil filter is on top in the front of the engine making it the easiest oil change DIY ever.

That said, we also had a CX-5 as well that we really liked. Can't go wrong with either IMO.
 
Honestly, went through this with my wife. Both are great cars and very very very similar. They trade blows on most things.

My wife went with the CX-5 as it just appealed to her a bit better. I would recommend they drive both of them first and then make a decision. I don't think you can go wrong either way. Go with what you like best after going through the comparisons and drives.

I can't vouch for any of the mechanical issues between the two. I haven't had any issues with the 2024 CX-5, but it only has 11,000 miles so far.
 
Subaru seems to have solved all their previous issues since mid 2010's. Probably the subaru is easier to see out the back of, handy for backing out of parking spots. I would assume the subaru AWD kicks in more seamlessly than the CX-5 but I imagine the CX-5 works well enough. Give both a try. I would also try an Outback while at the dealer, IMHO its got a few advantages over a Forester and no real drawbacks, and gets the same mileage as CX-5 on Fuelly.com
 
IndyIan said:
Subaru seems to have solved all their previous issues since mid 2010's. Probably the subaru is easier to see out the back of, handy for backing out of parking spots. I would assume the subaru AWD kicks in more seamlessly than the CX-5 but I imagine the CX-5 works well enough. Give both a try. I would also try an Outback while at the dealer, IMHO its got a few advantages over a Forester and no real drawbacks, and gets the same mileage as CX-5 on Fuelly.com
Click to expand...
Yeah - that Forester had the most visibility of any vehicle I've ever driven by far.
 
They're in the same class of vehicle, but they're pretty opposite in philosophy. Subaru has a comfy ride, while Mazda is firmer and "sporty." The Subaru has a giant greenhouse for windows, whereas the Mazda is sort of cave-like in terms of visibility, especially through the rear quarter windows. Subaru has a giant backseat and tons of cargo capacity, whereas Mazda's figures may seem competitive on paper, in the real world the back bench is quite a bit smaller.

I love my Mazda, it appeals to my needs well, but I think the Forester is a better option for a lot of people. I will say my experience with Mazda's AWD is very positive... confidence inspiring. But I run Blizzak WS90 from Thanksgiving through Easter. It's not a slip-then-grip system. I can watch the rear coupling engage in spirited turns, while starting from an incline, and during aggressive acceleration.
 
From my understanding:
Both AWD systems are "seamless".
I'd prefer the Mazda auto to any CVT, but I realize CVTs spook me.
I perceive a Mazda will more likely be reasonably priced than the Subaru.
I don't want to pay for Mazda's "Zoom-zoom" nor Subaru's "Save the World" profile.
Differences between seating height/position might be relevant.
I've heard people claim that there are deciding differences in the feel of these cars.

Mrs. Kira: 2016 Mazda3, 2019 Mazda CX-5 love both
Completely mechanically disinclined friend in Brooklyn wanted a Subaru right out of the box. Where'd she get the idea?
Old lady friend bought a 2021(?) Subaru over my objection and had nothing but dead battery issues. I mentioned her plight here.
She dumped it.

I think a Mazda CX-5 will get better fuel mileage than the Subaru.
 
If I was going to buy a Subaru right now the only one I would consider is a Forester Wilderness edition.

That being said the biggest issue that I have seen with late model Subaru vehicles in recent years, having been a Subaru service advisor within this time frame, is that their windshields are extremely fragile and it is almost a foregone conclusion that if you own a late model Subaru at some point you will need to have the windshield replaced and it can take a while for that replacement to be able to get done. In the meantime your eyesight safety system may not work with the cracked windshield among other nuisances you might experience.

All these other issues you listed have not been common issues for at least a decade if not like 20 years at this point with things like head gaskets. It never ceases to amaze me how often long since resolved reputation issues still linger around in the public consciousness.
If Ford came out with a new model and called it the Pinto people would probably be asking about fuel tank issues on the newest model.
 
Other things to think of are costs of maintenance and repairs and % resale value drop after say 5 and 10 years of ownership, unless they wanna drive the car to the ground.
 
When I was shopping for a new car last year, I was down to the CX-5 and the Forester Touring. I really liked them both, but for me the Forester was much more comfortable. So I went with the Forester and couldn't be more happy with it.
 
The drivetrain in Foresters has been largley unchanged for about a decade. They added DI in 2019, but other than that they are essentially the same for quite a while. 2025 is a new shell and interior on top of the old vehicle. We have a 2022 with about 35k on it and happy with the vehicle.
 
Kira said:
From my understanding:
Both AWD systems are "seamless".
I'd prefer the Mazda auto to any CVT, but I realize CVTs spook me.
I perceive a Mazda will more likely be reasonably priced than the Subaru.
I don't want to pay for Mazda's "Zoom-zoom" nor Subaru's "Save the World" profile.
Differences between seating height/position might be relevant.
I've heard people claim that there are deciding differences in the feel of these cars.

Mrs. Kira: 2016 Mazda3, 2019 Mazda CX-5 love both
Completely mechanically disinclined friend in Brooklyn wanted a Subaru right out of the box. Where'd she get the idea?
Old lady friend bought a 2021(?) Subaru over my objection and had nothing but dead battery issues. I mentioned her plight here.
She dumped it.

I think a Mazda CX-5 will get better fuel mileage than the Subaru.
Click to expand...
You would think so given the longitudinal engine in the subaru, but the EPA tests say no, as does Fuelly by a mpg if you pick the 2.5 NA. The consumer reports tested mpg had the CX-5 2.5 NA only getting 24mpg in their tests, same as the 2.4T outback. In fuelly, the 2.5NA Outback is a little better then the CX-5 too.
I suspect the CX-5 does much better on higher octane with 13:1 compression as I suspect a lot of the time in real life on 87, its adding fuel or pulling timing to avoid knock? I think all the 2.5 subaru's have 12:1 which I guess may help?
Anyways, not really big differences.
I did forget about the dead battery issues. Ours hasn't seemed to have a problem, and they offered us a new larger battery for free anyways. The fancy trim big screen weren't great either in 2018-21? I think they fixed it by then. Our low tech screen is fine it seems.
Its my impression that after 2012 or so, Subaru got pretty serious about quality and then fixing issues, and keeping their customers happy by warrantying any common problems they cars have, outside the regular warranty if necessary. Maybe Mazda is similar?
 
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As much as I love my cx5, it's only fit for a suburbia car. Seats suck, gas mileage suck. Overly stiff with zero benefits (for the zoom-zoom feeling). Seats suck. Headrest are too far forward and strain my shoulders too much. Did I mention the seats suck? My $60 amazon computer chair with a flat cushion is more comfortable.

I say the above a lot on this forum because it's stuff you won't catch on a test drive. I haven't driven a Forester, but if it's similar to the Ascent then I'd pick the Subaru for comfort. If a 3 hour test drive was doable, I wouldn't have gotten the CX5 for the above reasons.
 
the CVT alone says NO SALE + DIY on a subie is worse! the latest subie issue is a new design coolant control issue + like the CVT they extended warranty!!! they are TIN CANS IMO!!
 
Pew said:
As much as I love my cx5, it's only fit for a suburbia car. Seats suck, gas mileage suck. Overly stiff with zero benefits (for the zoom-zoom feeling). Seats suck. Headrest are too far forward and strain my shoulders too much. Did I mention the seats suck? My $60 amazon computer chair with a flat cushion is more comfortable.

I say the above a lot on this forum because it's stuff you won't catch on a test drive. I haven't driven a Forester, but if it's similar to the Ascent then I'd pick the Subaru for comfort. If a 3 hour test drive was doable, I wouldn't have gotten the CX5 for the above reasons.
Click to expand...

So, this is exactly why it is so important to research and go sit in them and drive for a bit. My wife has neck issues and has a very difficult time finding car seats that work for her. In fact, she found the seats in the CX-5 were so comfortable for her, that' one of the top 5 reasons she chose it. Completely opposite of your experience.
 
Foresters are great for comfort, visibility, utility and economy. At least they were back in 2016 when I bought my base model Forster. I'm sure they're different and hopefully improved upon these days.

My only experience with the Mazda CX-5 was the 2021 I test drove some months back. I loved the interior fit, finish and quality. They layout of the switchgear was very intuitive and I liked that console spin dial setup. You definitely sit deeper and have less visibility than you would in a Forester.
 
I would go Mazda, as it is not a cvt.
I won't buy a car with a cvt, but that's just me.

Has Subaru had more head gasket issues than Mazda? I know some of the early Mazda 2.5 turbo engines had some head gasket failures.
 
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