2025 Subaru Outback Turbo vs. 2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Welcome back guys! Here’s my comparison review of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 TURBO PREMIUM and Subaru Outback Touring XT! Their main competition includes the 2025 Mazda CX-5, 2025 Subaru Forester, 2025 Honda CR-V, 2025 Toyota RAV4, and a few others!
What are your thoughts?? Comment 👇
Dealer links 👇
www.twinfalls-...
www.goodemazda...
CX50 owner here💪🙏
Nice!!
Looks are subjective. Personally, the Outback looks more robust than the Mazda. And I don’t mind the front end-looks all business! Of course, the symmetrical AWD on the Outback? Second to none! Love mine!!
Good comparison. I did quite a bit of research before making my purchase last year. I initially intended to purchase a Toyota or Honda with a Subaru as a strong alternative. The Toyota and Honda models that I was interested in lacked power, premium feel (I hate their infotainment systems) and/or a good AWD.
So, Subaru was an easy choice because of the AWD and quality of build. However, slowly as I did research, Mazda grew on me. I have an engineering academic and vocational background. With this in mind, I was impressed with the actual design and viability of the Skyactiv engines. In terms of interiors, I strongly preferred the Mazda interiors. In terms of the look, I liked the Subaru outer design. I also preferred the Subaru driving comfort (i.e., suspension). However, in terms of driving feel (behind the wheel), overall safety and driver/passenger features, I favored Mazda.
It was a long game of preference back-and-forth. Ultimately, I went with a new Mazda. I just feel like you get more bang for your buck (in terms of safety, premium feel, noise, no CVT, no stop-go, a surprisingly good AWD that is standard, etc.). Like you said, you really don't go wrong with either. I feel that my Mazda has been the best automotive purchase that I've ever made. It's so much better than the Ford and Toyota vehicles that I am coming from. My Mazda's lowest score was with suspension (it's a bit stiff). My highest score was with its sportier driving feel and overall interior quality preference.
This is not to say that I didn't like the Subaru models that I considered. However, it came down to a few tangible preferences. In addition, while I liked the Subaru interiors, they did feel like a cross between the Toyota and Ford in terms of build quality and materials (albeit updated). I just preferred the user experience and interiors of Mazda.
Great write up! I don’t blame you for choosing the Mazda. I would honestly love a CX-5 turbo for a lot of the same reasons you mentioned if I didn’t like the extra ground clearance and larger back seat/storage of my Wilderness.
Cx 50 looks way too good. Love the bonnet
I was hoping for a test drive in you review. I did drive both a while back, and the CX-50 feels more car like and athletic, whereas the Outback felt softer and less direct. Not sure what octane the dealership puts into the CX-50 on the lot, so not sure what HP I had underfoot. The Outback felt a bit laggy with the CVT. With rear seats folded the Outback has a lot more cargo space. I think both have adaptive headlights, but kudos to Subaru for keeping with fog lamps. As noted, this Outback is near major refresh time. In my search for a replacement for my '14 Forester XT, neither of these won my heart for a potential decade long relationship. So, I went with "Plan B", which was keep my Forester XT, with intent to retire it from daily driver to "dirty deeds" (snow days, light towing, large hauling) and got a '25 Camry AWD for daily. (The trade in offers were pathetic too.) It felt like too many of the SUV's I was pondering (also RAV4) were at the end of their model runs, so maybe in a few years there will be something I like. Right now, enjoying 47 mpg on regular with 0-60 in the low 7's, respectable handling (got the XSE), and a quiet cabin. Gas is expensive where I live and I just couldn't warm up to another 10 years with 24-26 mpg (some on premium) for my daily. Allegedly, Subaru has a hybrid on the way, and Mazda is going to get the Toyota hybrid system. Seems like a good compromise to me - decent power (not quite as good as these turbos, but much better than the wheezy NA engines in either of these) and much better mpg on regular grade.
Great write up, and it sounds like you made a good decision with the Camry. I drove a slightly used one recently for a video and really liked it. A few viewers from other countries have mentioned they have a hybrid Subaru and don’t necessarily love it. I’m hoping the new generation to us is not what they already have but rather something exciting and competent. Thanks for watching!
I am a Subaru fan. Currently driving a 2022 Ascent. Looking for a new Subaru Outback or Forester. We don't have a Mazda dealership within about 300 miles. Thank very much for a very complete comparison of the two vehicles. Now I am thinking about driving to the nearest Mazda dealer to check them out and hopefully take one for a short drive.
That’s quite the drive! If you end up doing that I would recommend test driving a lot of models to make sure you make the right decision. I also have a Forester vs. CX-5 video that I’ll turn to public soon! I was actually quite surprised at the differences between them at the base level model offerings for each costing about 30k.
6 speed vs cvt
You can’t beat a proper gearbox for reliability and strength. CVT you’ve got a rubber band transmission
@@gregreed402Subaru’s CVT transmissions are probably the best in the industry and will be very reliable with proper maintenance . They are not a “rubber band transmission” as you have alluded to in your comment.
@@FordEnthusiast413 we will see what a CVT will cost and reliability, compared to what we have had for over a hundred years of motoring
Too bad we didn’t get CX-60 :(
Excellent comparison.
Don't forget the entry's from Chevrolet, GMC,Buick suvs.🤔🤔🤔
Everyone except the rental companies already has.
Neither vehicle outright wins over the other imo, so I’ll have to test drive both eventually.
Mazda’s infotainment screen looks pretty small, and its further away placement makes me think I’ll need my glasses on to see it well.
Otherwise I’m not thrilled with losing HP and torque by using regular fuel. I’m more interested in their hybrid variant though.
Subaru Outback I really like the looks of. CVT is the one big knock, as well as that big infotainment screen. I think they had the perfect setup already in the previous gen Forester.
Yeah, definitely give them each a drive and see which one speaks to you! Thanks for watching. 🙂
The biggest deal-breaker when I cross-shopped these earlier this year is Mazda's horrendous visibility. They truly went form over function for this generation with a super high beltline and absolutely ginormous C pillars in the rear. The Mazda 3 hatch is the worst offender but feel free to sit in a CX-30, CX-50 and you'll still get horrible view. I'm not tall by any standards and I will scrape the top of the front door arch in a CX-30. Needless to say, I went with the Outback XT because bad infotainment I can live with but bad driving ergonomics I can't. I plan to drive my car, not browse my phone or listen to music as the main goals.
Where is Mazda made?
Mazda is a Japanese company, and their U.S. models (to my understanding) are all assembled in either Japan or the U.S.
Thanks for watching!
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208some models are made in Mexico.
bruh that subaru is ugly af and more expensive for sure 😂
Haha, they’re not the prettiest cars out there, but they’re good. 😅
Mazda can't be Cobbed.
Cobb tuned or what?
You didn't choose your favorite
Oops. Well I have an Outback Wilderness and I personally wouldn’t change it for the Mazda, despite it being really good. I’m just more drawn to the Subaru and it’s more off road focus with my current need for larger back seat and cargo capacity. I know this will sound silly but if I was going to get a Mazda CUV it would probably be the less tough looking CX-5. Better arm rest, cup holders, and a very proven platform just because of its history and being a larger global platform. I have a video of the CX-5 vs. Forester I’ll share from my membership program to public soon! Thanks for watching.
@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I recently bought an obw and was originally considering the mazda Cx50 Meridian. I got a huge discount of $7k off msrp, and they overvalued my trade-in by about $5k, so it was a no Brainerd. My only concern was the cvt transmission. However, I'm reading that cvts aren't as bad as originally thought and possibly nissan, and Mitsubishi ruined the reputation of them. What are your thoughts and experiences?
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Do you feel the Subaru infotainment is laggy compared to the Mazda?
Holy cow that’s an awesome deal lol. I don’t mind the CVT at all, other than the concern of if it does fail outside of warranty and cost nearly 10k to replace it essentially has financially totaled out the Subaru depending on age/mileage. We got a 10 year / 100k mile warranty on our Forester but not my OBW. And while I really don’t feel like buying another car soon I also don’t know if I want to gamble with the transmission. But also I’m biased because I’ve had 2 transmissions go out on me in cars that I did not abuse. One was an old LS1 powered trans am with the weak 4l60e, so no surprise there. But the other was my 2023 Miata 6 speed which some of them have a weak synchros gear, mine included. But for the average person I wouldn’t worry about the CVT and if someone is maybe try to negotiate a good deal on a Subaru gold member warranty. And then there’s nothing to worry about for a long time.
Yeah, a little. I know most people don’t like the Mazda system but I really like it haha. It’s simple and easy to use with the dial, and probably won’t age poorly like most systems.
CX-50 seriously fugly
Genesis is far better than Mazda.
Great comparison. I did cross shop both these- briefly- earlier this year. The CX-50 was eliminated immediately due to the cramped interior. I've had my Outback Touring XT for a while now, and I really like it. The seats are extremely comfortable- almost to the level of my old Volvos (almost!) and the turbo is smooth, powerful, and quiet- and quick! I genuinely wonder if Subaru is understating its power output.
Some things about the car are not perfect- you're right about the potato-quality cameras, and an Autostop Eliminator is a must-have aftermarket accessory- auto stop/start is brutal with a boxer engine- but overall the car has been fantastic. The infotainment is fine- yes, physical climate controls would be nice, but it's livable, especially with voice commands. The CVT is perfectly fine for daily driving.
The #1 thing every Outback owner should do- immediately- is ditch the OEM tires. They're garbage. Getting a decent set of tires- I personally went with Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3s, but there are a bunch of good options out there- transforms the handling of the car and should be considered mandatory.
Thanks! I also have a Forester vs. CX-5 video that I’ll change from members only to public very soon, but if you have any recommendations to what you’d like seen in these comparison videos in the future I’ll gladly take any opinions. Otherwise, thank you for sharing your thought process about each of these, and I’m glad you’re enjoying your Outback!
I've also heard many people who bought the CX-50 complain about the uncomfortable seats.
I swapped the OEM Falkens on my 2023 Ascent for Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3s 2 months after purchasing the car. I have about 20,000 miles on them now and they are smooth, quiet, and are lasting significantly longer.
@@panzer_TZ It's amazing, the difference they make, isn't it?
In this comparison, my choice is the Outback.
1. Comfortable seats and a perfect fit. More space for passengers and luggage. Possibility of long journeys away from civilization.
2. large and modern multimedia screen. Normal armrest and pockets for small things in the back. Adjustable rear seat backrests.
3. Legendary EyeSight safety, EuroNCap rating and practical roof rails.
I easily without any hesitation would take the Outback. I have owned several Subarus (and Fords LOL) and the Outback has always been my favorite. Also love the Legacy which the Outback is based on. Excellent review of both vehicles!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts again! With a user name such as Ford enthusiast I’ll be sure to film some more Fords in the coming months lol. Actually I still have some old Ford videos to make public. Another supercharged 5.0 F150 driving video and the Focus RS (350hp and AWD) 😍
The front end of the Subaru is just ugly IMHO.
Yeah, lol. A lot of people preferred the 2020-2022 front end. 😅
I’ll go with the one not with an CVT ❤
Mazda looks wayyyyy better inside and out. The Outback screen is laggy garbage but at least there is no stupid rotary knob control. Def a tough choice.
Drove both..Bought the Outback. I actually liked them both, but I am 6'3 and for some reason the CX-50 does not have much front seat leg room. Looks wise I preferred the CX-50, but I could not get comfortable. Outback seat goes way back so I had plenty of legroom.
the Subara is just an ugly looking vehicle from front to back. Buy i believe it a great vehicle tho, for those who dont care about the looks
Haha yeah, Subarus other than maybe the BRZ are not necessarily ‘beautiful’ cars. Function over form lol. 🤪
i have the cx 50 at 2.5 inches longer wheel base...
Terrible suv for reliability and resale value
I prefer the Subaru, but I’m a Subaru guy, so biases being what they are, there’s that. Also sort of a wagon lover. Would love an Outback STI. I currently own a Crosstrek but that was the choice mostly for financial reasons, would have actually preferred the wagon body style, but being financially responsible is rough sometimes. Lol. Also I’ve read and seen a lot of complaints about the wireless charging in Subarus. I recently watched a review, I don’t remember where, and I’m pretty sure it was a review of one of the recently redesigned models that comes standard with wireless charging, so maybe the Crosstrek or Impreza or Forester, but there’s a feature where you can hold down the power button on the charge pad and it will turn on a fast charge function that will fast charge a device until it reaches 80% but then returns automatically to standard charging. The knock on Subie wireless charge is it’s slow and has a tendency to overheat phones to the point it’s almost useless. Wondering if the new fast charge option would negate that to a degree.
An STI wagon would be sweet! Yeah, I think the new Crosstrek and Foresters wireless charger probably works better than the Outback design. The charger in our Forester at least works better than mine ever did before I pulled it out of the Outback haha.
Very good video, I’m looking at the ds-50 atm. Slow it down, hit on the bigger points and condense a few things and you will have the beset reviews on YT.
Thanks for your suggestions! And best of luck. 🙂
Wow good timing on the video, I was JUST wondering this question!
Haha that’s awesome!! I’ll also post my Forester vs. CX-5 comparison very soon, maybe even tomorrow.
I ❤ MAZDA !
She do a comparison outback and v60 or v90
I’d love to do way more videos and comparisons than I currently do, like those you’ve mentioned! But I still work full time in healthcare and therefore have limited time to film and make connections for what I film on UA-cam. 😅 Hopefully they’ll be more and bigger and better videos down the road!!
I like Mazda ❤
I own one
Which one is faster
They’re about the same! On this day I didn’t have the time to take out the Outback for an additional 0-60 test, plus density altitude would have changed in the time it takes to film all of this. But having tested dozens of them I think the this line up is very close. However an Outback Wilderness with more aggressive gearing is more quick at accelerating over the CX-50 Meridian which is slower than the regular turbo trim. At least in my past testing.
Why would the meridian be slower than the other turbo trims?
Both USA made
CX 50 sold in a handful of countries, that drive on the wrong side.
Mazda has always won the style awards
Subaru is the outdoor touring set.
Subaru would have a larger fuel ⛽tank and better AWD.
Both good vehicles
The way I feel about these two cars is that I would buy the base level Outback for sure. But as the trim levels go up and I start thinking about performance I start looking more and more at the CX-50.
Both of these are great cars! Outback: little roomier, better mpg, better awd. CX50: looks better, tighter handling.
For sure, and that about sums it up! 🤪
I'll take the Subrau.
Been driving Outbacks for almost 20 years. I really like the styling of the Mazda and am not liking all the extra Outback cladding. However, Mazda just doesn't have the cargo capacity and past impeccable reliability with Outback gives Subaru the win for me.
Subaru hands down, I bought the 22 OB Limited and this Mazda wasnt even available. The roof rack is way better than the panoramic view. The cargo space is even bigger than my Jeep Grand Cherokee.
You didnt talk about the safety stuff like eyeaight though? What did the Mazda have?
Mazdas safety systems at least the basic adaptive cruise and lane keep seem to be very comparable to Subaru’s. I’m not brave enough to test automatic braking or RAB systems on vehicles I’m just borrowing like I have on my Outback. With your comment I remembered I did film a bit of the adaptive cruise but failed to include it in this video. I ‘think’ I at least included some of that footage in the quick 8-10m driving review video of this CX-50 I filmed and will make public down the road. 😅
I feel like I recall a statistic that less than 40% of outbacks are taken off paved roads by the original buyers. Similar to Wilderness trim level for a Subaru, I wish they could offer a more urban/city trim level that brings in styling with less plastic, etc. Subaru from time to time shows off a concept vehicle that goes in this direction, but then always back off in the actual production models. We shall see if the next gen Outback changes anything up or not.
That’s an interesting but probably accurate statistic lol. It’s a good compromise between being able to go off road kind of but also being very well suited to the pavement.
Appreciate the comprehensive review, but DUDE hope you won the race, slow it down ! Talked way way toooooo fast
Haha, thanks and especially for your honesty. I knew I was rushing this video and a few others I filmed on that specific CX-50 that day. I’m sorry for that. There’s a lot of things I want to film, but doing this part time or as a regular hobby I have limited amounts of time with my real job and everything else going on in life. 😅
No comparison. The Mazda is better. The Cx-5 is better than either.
Cx5 can’t tow 3500 lbs both of these can
Subaru's CVT is one of the best made.
That’s for sure, and I’m betting they’ll continue to revise and improve them just like the Boxer engines.
I'll let all the automobile nerds debate what's under their respective hoods, but as far as looks are concerned, the CX-50 is a freakin' beautiful vehicle! Meanwhile, the Outback looks like something that a four year old with no artistic abilities would draw (no offense to four year olds with no artistic abilities).
I'm on fence - leaning a little to cx70 base model- auto 8 speed trans, made in Japan, same cargo, may put smaller rims for softer ride-more off-roady tires on that are also taller by an inch to lift it and tows 5000 lbs Subaru is better off rd.and prolly better in rain and snow on highway too, but I only need to get to fishing spots occasionally and will get decent winter tires..
I think a CX-70 with a different wheel/tire would be an awesome ride! I filmed one of those a while back. Thanks for watching and best of luck!
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I'll go find ur review thx!!