Subaru or Mazda?

[camrydriver111]

Reliability wise: Mazda

Even without major Engine/CVT issues, the quality of all their parts is not at the level that I would expect.

There are EyeSight problems, steering racks crapping out, etc.

Ever since they fully divorced from Ford, I think Mazda quality is decent.

 

[4wheeldog]

I know it sounds crazy, but check the insurance rates for both. I have four vehicles (see below). All with the same coverage. The Mazda 3 cost twice as much as any of my other three vehicles. I have got multiple quotes. The insurance agents tell me that the Mazda is considered a sports coup, hence the higher rates. If I had know that I would have gotten a 2nd VW.

There was a time not long ago that Mazdas were very easy to steal. I have no idea if that has been addressed but it may account for the higher rates you paid.

 

[4wheeldog]

I still believe a car that has to have 4 tires that are virtually identical has bad differentials (Suburu).

The only time this was an issue for me was early this year when I had a punctured a sidewall. The Michelins had 55k on them which impressed me because they still had 1/3rd of their tread. But I bit gritted my teeth and bought 3 new ones. Costco replaced the punctured one.

 

[silversport]

many 4WD/AWD vehicles require this...I was told this when I had my 2014 Cadillac CTS AWD and my 2005 GMC Yukon Denali AWD...similar when I had a 2000 Cadillac Escalade 4WD and a 2007 Ford F150 4WD...

Bill

 

[Ranger83]

 

[Corollaman]

As some others have said I think Mazda reliability might be better in the long run. Subaru's all wheel drive system is on another level so for some people that is an important factor.

 

[cudavid]

6 Mazda cars in family back to 2010, 3 M6, 1 M3, 2 Cx5 lots of miles, never a major issue on all,

 

[jakeuten]

As some others have said I think Mazda reliability might be better in the long run. Subaru's all wheel drive system is on another level so for some people that is an important factor.

Both the latest Forester/Outback and CX-5/50 use a transaxle with a coupler. Their AWD systems are not that different in terms of power distribution, unless you mean left to right, in which case the Subaru does use equal-length axles. There is no way for Subaru to send more than 50% of the engine power to the rear axle unless they use a center differential, which their CVT systems sans-WRX do not utilize.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Both the latest Forester/Outback and CX-5/50 use a transaxle with a coupler. Their AWD systems are not that different in terms of power distribution, unless you mean left to right, in which case the Subaru does use equal-length axles. There is no way for Subaru to send more than 50% of the engine power to the rear axle unless they use a center differential, which their CVT systems sans-WRX do not utilize.

Yeah, having owned many, many Subarus (lost count!) since the early 90's. I would have to say My current little Ford and even our old 2005 Rav4 with a manual trans did just as well or better in deep and or below freezing salt slushed snow.

I do like the elegance of Fuji's driveline layout featuring a longitudinally mounted engine and transmission with the engine's
dumbbell mass well in FRONT of the front axle centerline; akin to a backwards wasserboxer.

The Traction limitation is more at the specific tire tread compound installed. Some of the Base model Subaru tires were compromised slippery donuts for sure! Also limited in rough going by open differential(s) I was not much a fan of Subaru early ABS/ECU traction control programming. Fairly abysmal. Had to hit the disable pushbutton to make any good forward progress in inclement conditions. - Arco

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

Both the latest Forester/Outback and CX-5/50 use a transaxle with a coupler. Their AWD systems are not that different in terms of power distribution, unless you mean left to right, in which case the Subaru does use equal-length axles. There is no way for Subaru to send more than 50% of the engine power to the rear axle unless they use a center differential, which their CVT systems sans-WRX do not utilize.

Subaru is full time. Unsure if Mazda is, but I don't think so

 

[jakeuten]

Subaru is full time. Unsure if Mazda is, but I don't think so

My CX-5 shows torque to the rear wheels under all driving circumstances. I believe the 2022(?) MY allowed for full FWD operation, but cars with JTEKT rear diffs are by default all wheels driven all the time. Minimum is about 10%, IME.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Subaru is full time. Unsure if Mazda is, but I don't think so

Sort of a technical nit pick. Proof of implementation is out on the road or trail.
They are mostly all 2WD in operation. One front wheel, and one rear - the one's with the LEAST traction - as is the failing of the simple differential gear 90deg power transfer. Now ASC/TCS can use ABS modulation to control wheel spin and brake steer.

I think our old Rav4 had a simple viscous coupling to the rear DS. This is before those CUV got longer and heavy.

Similar to ours. It was a good car and spunky with a 5 speed stick. Rear had a Low load floor lift-over height too!

 

[fdcg27]

Wife remains very pleased with her Forester. Winter handling is good, the ride is soft, cornering is strong, the seating position is good at not too low and not too high and the expansive greenhouse offers outward visibility matched in no current car as well as a very airy feeling cabin, enhanced by the enormous moonroof.
We've had no problems with the car in the seven years since we bought it new, other than a leaky AC condenser replaced free under a factory warranty extension.
Having written the above, drive each and see which one you prefer. I hear many good things about the Mazda.

 

[bobdoo]

Subaru is full time. Unsure if Mazda is, but I don't think so

Since at least 2016 (my car) the rear wheels always receive something like 4% power, and the clutch at the rear diff can go to 100% lockup in milliseconds. It's pretty neat tech.

 

[duck__dodgers]

As much as I love my cx5, it's

I say the above a lot on this forum because it's stuff you won't catch on a test drive.

my 3 non-obvious things that prevent the CX5 from being flawless, in my opinion...

* lack of thigh support in the front seats---no big deal as I have never driven more than 2 hours in that car but still annoying at random times;

* the accelerator is too close to the firewall and the brake pedal is too far away from the firewall. My foot catches on the wrong end of the brake pedal if I try to drive like I was in any other car.

* the remote starting system is arse backwards---only available via the app and the engine turns off when you unlock the door to enter the vehicle...unlike pretty much every car maker

But it's a great car to DIY on...

moral of the story....always test drive a car multiple times, especially if the driver has a habit of being particular about things

 

[ae101]

coin toss

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

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!!

Good ole benjy! Can always depend on him for histrionics, hyperbole, and hyperpolarization anytime someone mentions a Subaru!

I guess that means benjy knows better than the some 350,000+ people per year that are interviewed by the ACSI; you know, people that actually own these vehicles rather than just tossing turds from their couches.

OP, if the relevant Subaru model meets your needs and is in your price range, there’s no reason to be afraid of owning one. Subaru has long fixed all of your potential concerns.

 

[4WD]

Good ole benjy! Can always depend on him for histrionics, hyperbole, and hyperpolarization anytime someone mentions a Subaru!

I guess that means benjy knows better than the some 350,000+ people per year that are interviewed by the ACSI; you know, people that actually own these vehicles rather than just tossing turds from their couches.

OP, if the relevant Subaru model meets your needs and is in your price range, there’s no reason to be afraid of owning one. Subaru has long fixed all of your potential concerns.

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He’s on the prowl to out the fake synthetics too

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I still believe a car that has to have 4 tires that are virtually identical has bad differentials (Suburu).

Have you actually owned a Subaru? I can tell you that over 18+ years of owning or maintaining 9 different Subarus for well over 1M cumulative miles, there has not been a single differential failure or even issue with diffs, and that not only were all 4 tires not maintained “identically”, many of them went 15-20k between tire position rotations.

 

[Ranger83]

Our only tire rotations are when we switch from 3season to winter tires. We’ve driving seven Subarus around 950,000 miles since 2001. My daughter and I both have Gen 3 H6 Outbacks.

The guy who bought my 2009 WRX with 97,000 miles on it just texted me to say how happy he is with it!

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.

So wadja get?