2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Subaru Forester

• Every 2025 CX-50 now comes with a larger 10.3-inch infotainment screen and Amazon Alexa voice control.
• The 2026 Forester Wilderness gets more ground clearance, retuned suspension, and serious trail-friendly upgrades.
• Mazda offers stronger powertrain performance and a higher towing capacity.

Mazda keeps polishing the CX-50 formula for 2025. It replaced the previously standard 8.8-inch display with a 10.3-inch screen across the board, and Amazon Alexa voice control joins the standard equipment list. A wireless charging pad is now standard everywhere except in the base Select trim.

Pricing for the 2025 CX-50 lineup:

• Select: $31,995
• Preferred: $33,345
• Premium: $35,695
• Premium Plus: $39,195
• Turbo Meridian Edition: $42,945
• Turbo Premium: $42,995
• Turbo Premium Plus: $44,995

Subaru, meanwhile, doubles down on capability for 2026, especially with its Wilderness trim. It gets the same refreshed styling as the rest of the Forester lineup, plus higher 9.3-inch ground clearance, retuned suspension, a shorter final-drive ratio for more responsive low-speed power, upgraded transmission cooling, chunkier all-terrain Yokohama Geolandars, and improved approach, departure, and breakover angles.

Inside, Subaru tweaks the center console with bigger cupholders, a better shifter placement, a larger armrest and storage compartment, and a smartphone slot up front.

Pricing for the 2026 Forester lineup:

• Forester: $31,445
• Premium: $34,835
• Sport: $37,555
• Limited: $39,145
• Wilderness: $39,835
• Touring: $43,045

Every CX-50 uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The base model delivers 187 horsepower, but the turbocharged version bumps those numbers up to 256 and 320 lb-ft. It mates with a six-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive.

The CX-50 can tow up to 2,000 pounds with the base engine or 3,500 pounds with the turbo. Fuel economy lands at 24/30 mpg city/highway for the standard engine and 23/29 mpg for the turbo.

Subaru features a 2.5-liter flat-four paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive, but its output isn't quite as strong, with 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Wilderness trim’s upgraded cooling gives it the same 3,500-pound tow rating as Mazda’s turbo, while the rest of the lineup taps out at 1,500 pounds.

Fuel economy for most Forester trims is 26/33 mpg, with the Sport and Touring dropping a single mpg, while the Wilderness comes in at 24/28 mpg.