2022 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness

The Mazda CX-50 and the Subaru Forester Wilderness are small SUVs carrying five passengers and their cargo. Both have some interesting interior features, such as electronic systems that will make your driving safer. But which one is better? Let's look at the specs.

Design & Style

• Exterior Design

If you're looking for a compact crossover that holds its own on the road and off, the 2022 Mazda CX-50 may be your ideal choice. The SUV has a sleek exterior design with rounded lines, large windows, and cargo space to fit your gear.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness also has an attractive exterior design. It features similar styling to the CX-50 but has more rugged features like bullbars and roof rails that can help make it stand out from other similar vehicles.

• Interior Design

The 2022 Mazda CX-50 and the Subaru Forester Wilderness have a lot of similarities, but their interiors are not among them. While both vehicles offer a spacious cabin and lots of room for cargo, their layout and design are very different.

The CX-50's cabin is sleek and modern, with a dash inspired by its parent brand, Mazda. The dashboard has an attractive curved design that flows into the side vents and center console, which helps keep all controls within reach even when driving on curvy roads or off-road trails. The interior colors are neutral but earthy tones that lend themselves well to an outdoorsy lifestyle (or at least give it an appearance). There are plenty of storage compartments throughout the car, including some behind each passenger seat, so you can keep your gear organized while traveling long distances on rough terrain without stopping along the way!

Technology & Safety

As far as safety technology is concerned, both vehicles have a good selection of driver assistance features. They both come with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the CX-50 comes standard with lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness has an optional active torque vectoring system that helps you keep your car on track when driving off-road or in bad weather conditions. 

Performance

The 2022 Mazda CX-50 and the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness have similar engines, but the former has a slight edge on horsepower. The Mazda's 2.0-liter engine provides 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The Subaru does have more torque than the Mazda in this class, but it doesn't make up for having less horsepower overall. Both can tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped with an appropriate hitch setup.

On the other hand, both models come standard with front-wheel drive (FWD). If you want all-wheel drive (AWD), you will need to pay extra money on both vehicles because they do not offer it as an option as standard equipment or a package add-on like many other cars in their class do nowadays.

The Mazda CX-50 is a bit more efficient than the Subaru Forester. Its fuel economy of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway is higher than Subaru's 26/32 mpg city/highway rating. However, we feel that both vehicles' engines are equally efficient at achieving their EPA estimates.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a more stylish and sportier SUV, then the Mazda CX-50 will be a better choice. This vehicle offers performance that is much better than the Subaru Forester Wilderness. The driving experience of this SUV is also smoother and more comfortable, which makes it the perfect choice if you plan on taking long drives often or frequently.

Ready to Schedule a 2022 Mazda CX-50 Miata Test Drive Today?

Do you want to discover more about this Mazda car model can do on the road? Come and visit us at Riley Mazda today! Our dedicated team of customer service representatives will assist you in meeting all your car purchasing, financing, and servicing needs. Call us today and book an appointment for your 2022 Mazda CX-50 Miata test drive now!