Subaru Forester Vs. Honda CR-V Vs. Mazda CX-5: Find Your Next SUV
The Forester vs. CR-V vs. CX-5 Comparison at a Glance
- Our Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V vs. Mazda CX-5 guide pits three compact SUVs against each other.
- A Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V comparison highlights how tech-focused the Forester is, with a larger touchscreen and ventilated seating.
- If you want a more capable, spacious SUV with higher ground clearance and much more towing potential, the Subaru Forester vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison shows the Subaru SUV's dominance.
- While a Honda CR-V vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison reveals a couple of small advantages, the Forester explores unique versatility and equipment edges while still boasting better towing ability and ride height.
Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V vs. Mazda CX-5: Which Compact SUV Should You Pick?
A compact SUV should be capable, spacious, family-friendly, and loaded with comfort and convenience features, so in a Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison, which should you choose? For an SUV that does it all, the Subaru Forester should be your pick. It offers rugged appeal, the most towing capacity with the Wilderness trim's 3,500 pounds,1 the most front-row legroom at 43.3 inches, and a unique suite of safety features that earned the Forester the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.2 That puts it in an incredible position to be the best SUV for families in Roslyn, NY.
At East Hills Subaru of Roslyn, we want to give you the facts before you select your five-seat model. Let's take a digital tour of this compact SUV comparison.
Forester vs. CR-V vs. CX-5 Specs: Performance & Towing Capacity
Under the hood, all three compact SUVs prioritize fuel efficiency. The Forester offers gas and hybrid 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, while the Honda CR-V has a gas 1.5-liter turbocharged I-4 and a hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The Mazda CX-5 offers only a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
In a Forester vs. CR-V vs. CX-5 fuel economy race, the Forester provides famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive efficiency and hybrid technology. The Mazda CX-5 has a standard AWD drivetrain but no hybrid engine, leaving it with a rather unimpressive 26 MPG (Combined).3 The Forester and CR-V are much closer, sharing a 29 MPG (Combined) rating for gas AWD models.4,5 However, the Forester also outranges the competition with a 16.6-gallon fuel tank, giving it 581 miles of total range with its baseline hybrid engine.6
All models have a standard capacity of 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. However, the Mazda CX-5 never exceeds this number, while the CR-V Hybrid actually loses towing capacity with its hybrid engine, down to 1,000 pounds.7 If you choose the Subaru Forester Wilderness, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds.1
| Subaru Forester | Honda CR-V | Mazda CX-5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) AWD | 2WD, AWD avail | i-ACTIV AWD |
| Ground Clearance | 8.7 - 9.3 in | 7.8 - 8.2 in | 8 - 8.2 in |
| Cargo Space (Trunk / Max) |
|
| 33.7 / 66.5 cu ft |
| EPA-Est. MPG (Cty / Hwy / Comb) |
|
| 24 / 30 / 263 |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 - 3,500 lbs1 | 1,000 - 1,500 lbs7 | 1,500 lbs8 |
| IIHS Safety Rating | Top Safety Pick+2 | Not Awarded | Top Safety Pick+2 |
Forester vs. CR-V vs. CX-5 Cargo Space, Dimensions & Off-Roading
At 182.9 to 183.3 inches, new Forester SUVs are firmly in the compact space, making them easy to maneuver, while the CR-V and CX-5 are 184.8 inches and 184.6 inches long, respectively – slightly longer and less nimble.
Ground clearance is another unique offering of the Forester: It has 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance and up to 9.3 inches with the Wilderness level, while both competitors can only reach 8.2 inches of ride height. This helps the whole family enjoy the vacation; the Forester has an exterior designed to be easy to climb into – great for kids and older passengers.
Inside, the Forester boasts over 43 inches of front-row legroom, significantly more than the CR-V and CX-5 (41.3 and 41.7 inches, respectively). It stays competitive with 39.4 inches in the rear row, less than an inch behind the Mazda CX-5, for a total passenger volume of 110.8 cubic feet without a moonroof. Cargo volume is also critical, and the Forester can handle furniture, tent kits, or small machines with up to 74.4 cubic feet of overall storage capacity.
Like many of our new Subaru vehicles, the Forester is always ready for a vacation.
CR-V vs. CX-5 vs. Subaru Forester Features: Interior & Technology
The Subaru Forester tech suite prioritizes readiness for any road trip. An available 11.6-inch central screen is the perfect size: accessible but not obstructive. An 11-speaker Harman Kardon® system is available as early as the Sport level. Starting with the Premium Hybrid, transmission paddle shifters give you unbelievable control, and they pair well with the available heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
In comparison, the Honda CR-V features are relatively low value. The central touchscreen is just 9 inches large across the trim lineup, and it doesn't have access to ventilated front-row or heated rear-row seats.
Mazda CX-5 features are closer to the Subaru Forester, with some shared available features like heated rear-row seats or ventilated front-row ones. However, the CX-5 lacks the 12.3-inch instrument cluster found on higher-end Forester trims, doesn't offer sport features like transmission paddle shifters until its highest-end 2.5 S Premium Plus trim, and a 10-way driver's seat costs more for Mazda drivers.
Forester vs. CR-V vs. CX-5 Safety & Driver Assistance
Perhaps the most important factor in choosing the best SUV for families is safety, and the Honda CR-V unfortunately misses out. The Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 are IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award winners, while the CR-V received no accolades due to only "Acceptable" front crash prevention.2
That leaves the two award-winning SUVs. The Forester boasts EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, an innovative suite that tracks movement around the vehicle, optimizes your cruise control system, and warns you if you leave your lane. Some of the tech includes:
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering
- Pre-Collision Braking
- Automatic Emergency Steering
- Lane Departure and Sway Warning
- Lane Keep Assist
Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is available as early as the Premium level, while the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System helps high-end drivers stay focused. The Wilderness-exclusive 180-Degree Front-View Monitor is perfect for off-roading.
The Mazda CX-5 stays competitive, with features like the standard Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning. However, it lacks an off-roading-specialist trim, so the Forester Wilderness has better safety features if you want to conquer the road less traveled.
Which SUV Is Right for You? Try the Forester at East Hills Subaru of Roslyn
As your trusted Subaru dealership on Long Island, we're confident the Forester offers an elevated mix of capability, comfort, efficiency, and safety, making it our winner. We invite you to our showroom, where you can test-drive it before you explore financing options or browse all our Subaru special offers.
You can also check our collection for certified pre-owned Forester SUVs, the perfect middle ground between used and new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose the Subaru Forester over the Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5?
The Subaru Forester has several advantages, such as higher ground clearance, more available towing capacity, a suite of features that earned it a Top Safety Pick+ Award,2 and competitive comfort options.
Which has the best safety features: Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, or Mazda CX-5?
The Forester offers the most comprehensive lineup of safety features, earning it the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award for 2026.2 While the Mazda CX-5 also won this award,2 the Forester has higher headlight ratings. It also has unique tools, such as the 180-Degree Front-View Monitor on the Wilderness.
Which is best for families: Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, or Mazda CX-5?
The Subaru Forester is excellent for families. Its high ground clearance reduces discomfort on rough terrain, standard Subaru Intelligent Drive provides maximum control, up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity1 accommodates busier schedules, and parents will enjoy the extra legroom and panoramic roof.
1Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details.
2Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org
3EPA-estimated mileage. Actual results will vary.
4EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and your vehicle's condition.
5Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.
6Estimated ranges provided are subject to variation based on factors such as fuel levels, driving habits, road conditions, and individual vehicle performance. These estimates should be used for comparison purposes only and shall not be solely relied upon.
7Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
8Towing capacities shown are maximums and must be reduced by the weight of any passenger, cargo hitch or optional equipment in the towing vehicle. Please refer to vehicle Owner's Manual for details regarding towing capacities and other valuable information. Towing a trailer may have an effect on vehicle's handling, braking, durability, performance and driving economy. For specific information on recommended or required equipment, see your Mazda Dealer. Hitches are available through manufacturers other than Mazda.
