New Mazda CX 50 VS Subaru Outback comparison 

I've said it before and I'll say it again....I love your videos. Also, it's so nice having a husband and wife compare their likes and dislikes. You two are the best! Thanks!

You can enable the touchscreen at any speed under Connectivity Settings on the Mazda CX-50. Limited to 10 by default but after changing this option, it functions at any speed.

Zack, long time no see!! A very informative comparison. Love your guys’s channel!

great comparison, was looking for this for a while. thank you

Ok, let me explain a little something about the looks of Subarus. I never liked them and never thought I would ever own one due to their looks... (Please keep reading) However, I purchased a 2019 Forester Limited because I got a great deal and it offered a lot for the money. It had tons of features at no extra cost that other brands charge extra for, like eyesight and all wheel drive. After having it for 3 years I grew to love it. The looks grew on me a lot over time and I attribute most of that to how great the car was. Cars are like people when it comes to looks. Someone can be very good looking, but if they turn out to be a shitty person with nothing else to offer, they suddenly become less attractive. Same goes for cars.. If you get a car that looks awesome but you hate everything else about it, those looks fade and are not as sharp anymore cuz everyday you dread getting into drive the vehicle because it just sucks and it reminds you that it sucks mile after mile. Whereas if you get a car that you're maybe indifferent about its looks but it offers so much and your experience is so great, all of a sudden that vehicle is looking more attractive to you. That's Subaru. The looks grow on you rather than grow off you because of how great the cars are. My Forester wasn't without flaws, no car is, however now I know why once you become a Subaru owner you stay a Subaru owner. Now I'm on to my second Subi and just bought the new Outback Wilderness in black. Let me point out, color matters folks and that ugly silver they profiled does not do the car Justice. When I first saw the Wilderness I gasped at the plastic body cladding. How ugly I thought. However, just like with my Forester, that impression has completely changed and has grown on me to the point that I like it much better with the cladding than without. It looks badass and fits image for what it's meant for.... the outdoors. Please note, all that plastic cladding is not just for looks, it serves a function. It's meant to protect the vehicle from elements as well as being like it belongs on the unbeaten path. This is the vehicle you want for camping, hiking, biking, kayaking or whatever the outdoors brings and it looks (and acts) the part as intended. Also, go see a Wilderness in person all cleaned up ready for delivery, and maybe one with some added accessories. That said, go see one in a different color than silver. Check out a black one or white one or that green. All beautiful colors. But as the theme of this post goes, check out the new blue, I thought that blue looked ugly as hell and now I'm almost wishing I purchased the blue after seeing it more and more. I'm telling you, Subarus looks grow on you, even in colors I guess. Moral of the story, the looks of Subarus grow on, not off once you own one. Don't let it deter you from buying one. Incidentally, I've like the looks of Mazdas for the most part, especially the interiors. But I kind of think the interior of that cx50 they profiled in this video looks ugly to me. Definitely not as nice as they used to look, at least with the CX-5 for instance. I understand the cx50 is new, but it's still a Mazda and follows the same mold like all car manufacturers do for the most part. Those are just my opinions.

Motormouth always does such a great job of giving us south of the border cousins the conversions for units of measure; fuel economy, speed, distance, etc. So I was surprised not to hear the roof tent’s capacity given as being three people (CA)/ two people (US). Lol

This is a great comparison! So glad you made the video.

Great review neighbors! Thank you! Both great vehicles, but the instrument panel on the Subaru is so distracting! I love the simplistic design and lack of clutter on the CX-50.

Mazda CX-50 is my favorite and the one I will buy, if I had the money

i needed that very specific review !!! very well done ! 👍🏻👍🏻

Nothing can compare to the wilderness feel on the road. Coming from a city with streets as bad as dirt roads in Afghanistan my pick is the wilderness any day. My father in law owns the Mazda mentioned in this video and the drive is not the same. I guess its all a matter of personal preference but the wilderness is so well equipped, the seats are ridiculously comfortable and I'm paying less than 500$ a month.

I love how driving a suburu makes u feel in control and safe on the road.

Good review again guys. My take is if the Outback Wilderness trim looks aren't your cup of tea the regular trim level would still compete favorably against the CX-50. Both have the advantages

Thanks Andrea for always sticking up for Mazda. Zack is a hater lol when it’s comes to Mazda products but you guys are amazing together. Keep up the great work

You guys should be at a million subs. Great content. 👍 from Florida.

This is the exact comparison I wanted, though the wilderness is a bit floaty for me. Did you notice a difference between the onyx and the wilderness in how they drove or accelerated?

Can't say I'd ever turn around to see the Subie...Mazda yes!

I like them both. I lean toward the Mazda because 90% of my driving is on the road and it's super fun to drive. Serves me better than the CX-5 for getting to a trailhead. But I'd hop in my buddies Subaru if we are going long distance off road getting to a remote location.

Very comprehensive review … greatly enjoyed

If I had to choose it would be the Subie… X-mod is amazing in snow and the turbo is a sweet power train…

I own a 2022 subaru outback premium xt (had many cars/trucks/wagons) over the last 63 years and this Subaru has the most comfortable seats period. The cabin is the quietest due to the type of glass used. YES it is ugly not being a wilderness makes no difference BUT the room and comfort with cooled seating for hot summers plus reclining back seats helps me forget how ugly it is.

I own a 2022 Outback onyx xt which has the turbo. The big difference is the cvt, Subaru uses a chain vs Nissan with I believe several other manufacturers that uses a belt that’s why some people shy a way from vehicles that have a cvt. It takes a little getting use to but I don’t have a problem with it.

Great review! You two are fantastic. I really like how you interact with one another. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Europe.

would love to see a comparison with forester as well. great work !

Great review, and yup... hate cvt, period. I own the 2020 CX-5 turbo and love it. I do like the center arm rest and drink holder configuration of the CX-50.

Absolutely enjoy the reviews. Have a ‘21 Forester Premium. Looking to trade up to a more luxurious long hauler. Stuck between these two. I’ve test driven a Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, and - wasn’t overly impressed. I wouldn’t trade my Foz premium for either of those even in higher trims. Maybe once you’ve had a Subaru, you’ll never go back 😅

I just went on a road trip of over 1000 miles in the Mazda CX-5. The rear seats are very uncomfortable for a long trip. The front seats are just adequate for comfort and the ride is stiff. You feel every bump in the road. I own a Subaru and it is way more comfortable. Comfortable seats make the difference for me. Subaru wins.

We are happy owners of a '22 Outback 2.5i Touring (our 3rd OB). 2.5i has always been sufficient for us. But I definitely prefer the look of the CX-50, its a better looking "wagon" IMO!

Would love to see a CX-50 / RAV 4 comparison video!

Thank for what you do I been learning so 😅

I have definitely my eye on the CX-50! I like the look of the CX-50 better then the Outback, and so well equipped. Owning 2 Mazda CX-5 I like their engine power with the Turbo and finally Mazda thank you for the panoramic sunroof.👍

Love your videos 🥰

I bought my first Outback, in blue, a few months ago and love the ride. also surprised my teen daughter wants it too!

Thanks so much for the excellent review. Two questions: (1) Is the Outback quieter than the CX50? (I had a 2015 Outback which had a very noisy cabin). (2) Does the stitching on the center of the seats in CX50 uncomfortable? Many thanks.

Great comparison of these 2 vehicles. I have see more and more outback around and I ask one why he pick outback, his answer was after big snowstorm and it was easy driving through. Cheers Andrea! 👍🏻👍🏻☕️☕️

I purchased an Outback Wilderness last fall and was very excited to see what Mazda would do with the CX-50. I was hoping for a real competitor to the Wilderness and unfortunately even in its Meridian trim I don't believe it will match the Outback Wilderness's off-road capabilities. From there it's just a question of cargo capacity and passenger comfort and there once again I think the Outback takes it. I like the idea of multipurpose vehicles both of these would seem to be just that - with the Mazda perhaps being a bit more road-focused and the Outback being more off-road focused. Personally, if I'm looking for a sporty drive, I'll go to my E91 BMW wagon vs a cross over like the Mazda.

Honestly owning a legacy 3.6 and an outback 2.5 i could not ask for more. Subarus are pretty great at what they do

This was an awesome comparison. Absolutely the same buyer looking at these two cars. I ended up leasing the Wilderness (before the cx50 came out) previous car was a cx5. The question is, when my lease is up in 3 years, will either of these cars offer a hybrid. That will make my decision for me

Great review, these are both fantastic options. I just recently test drove both. A new CX-50 and 2020 Limited and 2021 Limited XT. I get why people compare them, but they are so different. The Sube was much more comfortable, better seats, extremely comfortable cruiser on the highway. the 2.5 I tried first had a very noisy CVT. It almost sounded like the engine was inside the dashboard. So I tried an XT with the 2.4 turbo and it was much quieter but still louder under acceleration than my current Mazda3, and it goes like stink! In no time you're violating speed limits. The CX-50 driving experience and interior usability is vastly better IMO. Handles much better than the Sube, not rough, but no where near as polished and plush though. It's a shame you can't get the 2.4L in any trim below the wilderness. I like how Mazda gives you the non-turbo/turbo option so you don't have to step up to the highest trim, plus they're giving the turbo away for free, more or less, with 2K off in Canada right now.

Gave a deposit for a Subaru Outback Touring 2023 and it should arrive in Dec 2022. Now, since it only comes with a 3 year warranty, should I pay extra for an additional 2 years since I will finance it for 60 months? Is it worth it and how reliable are Subies past their warranty? Currently I have a 2019 Crosstrek Sport with 70K on the dial and had 0 issues with it. Kia has a better warranty than most from what I saw.

I just bought the Outback Wilderness edition a week ago and boy do I love its looks! Andrea is spot on when she says looks are subjective. We’ll be driving it from Vancouver, WA to Vancouver BC next week for a little mountain biking expedition and I already know the seat comfort is unmatched and perfect for a road trip!

You can use the Mazda's touchscreen while moving too - just have to adjust the settings

great review

Cx 50 all the way. Can’t get over the looks of the Subaru

The Subaru would probably suit my needs slightly better than the CX-50, but I just find it overall too utilitarian looking (read "ugly") for me. Even without the Wilderness trim. I am very seriously considering the CX-50 as my next daily driver. Thanks for the detailed comparison.

I’ve seen the Outback wilderness in person and as much as I’m impressed with the performance I can’t get over the looks. The forrester looks better. I’ll have to check out the CX50.

Doesn’t Canada have the metric system?

very good video Andrea and Zach, they're both pretty good vehicles, but I CANNOT accept the CVT in the Subaru's so my preference goes to the Mazda.

Great job Andrea and Zack! Thanks for the informative and entertaining video! I’d pick the Subaru Solterra- for baked in Subaru goodness, just like the Outback, but slightly more exciting styling. :)

I love how they owned mah-zda right from the beginning. Great video

I don’t care about panoramic sun roof either, a little one is fine. I genuinely like both but then I’d choose smaller CX5 for city (so fun to drive) & Outback wilderness for everything but now I know that I love (1) head up display and (2) 360 view and Subaru has neither. I mean I realize CX50 would be the combination package :)

Yet another great and honest review. Subaru is just so unique. In its motivations, and in its fanbase. There's no pretense behind the Subaru, and Subaru drivers seem to be a very unique and devoted group. For those who aren't really committed either way though, I can see the CX50, especially here in Southern California, appealing to a certain driver. They won't have that Subaru mindset or devotion, so it will be more of a vote for the higher maintenance-looking vehicle. For them, it will fit in better on the CA highways next to the Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo. So yes, it will come down to fashion over function, or function over fashion. A great way to put it. I've seen some actually compare the interior of the Mazda to being almost Lexus-like. Mazda not only looks great on the outside, but on the inside as well. No denying that. But again, that's not what most (all?) Subaru drivers are looking for anyway. It's not part of the Subaru image, and I suppose it's why Subaru, the company, continues to take the functional path rather than the higher maintenance route. I know the Meridian is supposed to add a more outdoorsy "edge" to the CX50, but it will still be a Mazda. A great car and definitely stylish. But Subaru will still have that "outdoorsy" appeal in both the functional sense, and its looks. I can't really see many Subie drivers paying much attention to the Mazda. And Subaru? Well they know their customers, and what they like, so I don't see them straying too much from their origins either. Definitely beauty is in the eye of the beholder though, and while those who lean toward the Mazda will have certain expectations in the appearance of their car, I don't really see a Subaru driver caring too much what the car looks like. It will be in the performance, interior space, comfort and, well, dirt. The Mazda will certainly tolerate the dirt, if it must, but it will be looking for the nearest carwash ASAP. ;) I actually saw another reviewer on here kind of joking about the Subaru...his take being that it really is a totally nondescript car. It can drive past you and no one pays much mind to it, or remembers it after it's moved on down the freeway. And that's just how Subie drivers like it. He even joked that it would be the perfect car for a heist. No one would be able to really describe the "getaway" car, lol. 'Um, I think it was gray car? Can't tell you anything more about it.' Therein lies the difference between the two vehicles, IMO, and their drivers. Thanks for the superb review!

Zack can be picky....love the comparo...would go with the Subie with the turbo..thanks again...

OMG! Your name is Zack. I thought it was Otto as in motormouth_otto 😅 No wonder why I couldn't find you 🤣🤣🤣 Great video as always guys 😀

does the cx-50 beat the subu fuel efficiency ??? if that is so, y still use cvt when consumers practically dont like cvt ???

I traded my 2017 Mazda CX-9 for a 2020 Subaru Outback. The CX-9 was a beautiful design but the Outback is every bit as comfortable and the ergonomics are even better. Also, the Outback is much quieter and feels more solid. Subaru just feels like a more quality vehicle. And many times I had friends compliment me on how nice the Outback’s interior is. And the 2023 get wireless Apple CarPlay.

Thanks!

It should be noted, the Wilderness has a little bit lower MPGs due to the off-road gear tuning and higher ground clearance (vs the other Outback 2.4L Turbos). And also, Subaru doesn't require premium gas for the 2.4L Turbo and still gets the 260HP (they only suggest using premium when towing). So while... the MPGs might not be as good as Mazda's, it's cheaper to fill (and still get the optimal power). The 2023 models now have wireless Android Auto/Apple Car Play.

Subaru sells well but would sell way more if they replaced their design team, just what Kia/Hyundai did. It seems Subaru has had the same team since the beginning. Subaru's AWD + Rav4's hybrid & exterior design + Kia Sportage's dash cluster = I'd gladly pay dealer markups.

Personaly, I think Subary Outback Wilderness has better look then Mazda. I own Wilderness 2022, blue color and it is stand out. Plastic protection not for decoration and very useful in offroading. Review also missed that wilderness edition have under engine protection and special offroad gear rate on transition. Both cars are great engineering and design machinery. All come to what you need.

Great video. Unfortunately, the CVT is a big dealbreaker. The Mazda wins.

I love my 22 Outback, but I’m looking more and more at the CX50 as a replacement. I love the driving experience, no CVT, and simplified infotainment.

Really looking forward to see how the Hybrid performs and how much it will cost. Hoping there are no sacrifices.

Subaru is adding wireless Carplay and AA for the 2023 MY. so by the time you can actually get one, it will most likely have that feature.

"outdoor crossover" ..? versus? indoors?

I've owned a couple of Mazdas in the last 26 years. Protege and Mazda 3 , both cars have been utterly reliable. Only requiring normal maintenance items. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this vehicle.

I cannot imagine how hard it is to get service for Mazda in Canada... it is hard here in the states to get Mazda service in a lot of areas

Andria, I have same view with you on this comparing of the two cars that Mazda look more BEAUTIFUL than the Subaru

I do like Subarus. I don’t know about how much the turbo will impact the longevity of the engine but the cars in general seem to just go and go and go. I also like Mazda and own a CX5 which I am very happy with. I think now that my kids are getting old enough to come out with me for some of the outdoor activities I used to enjoy all the time, might do a Subaru. Space for them, all our crap, and not as likely to get stuck in the mud lol

Excellent comparison review and extremely HONEST! The Subaru styling is something only a mother could love, while I find the CX50 quite attractive. The Mazda's geared automatic seals the deal with me versus the Subie's CVT. Always enjoy your work, guys!!

I traded my cx5 for a outback. Last week i traded my outback for a mazda 6

The Mazda interior looks like someone stuck a display up on the dash, threw in some heater controls and walked away. Outback interior is far nicer. As for the exterior well not a fan of the Wilderness edition. Would have been a better comparison with a regular Outback.

Looking great in the pink and ponytail Andrea! So youthful!

Outback is a pretty great car with one exception: the Outback's thin acoustic glass windshield is prone to damage. Mine failed spontaneously while parked over a two day period. Still wrangling with customer service regarding warranty repair. Only 4004 miles on the clock.

I’ve had two Subarus and 2 Mazdas. Subaru will need to change dramatically for me to return to that brand. Failures in the eyesight, failures in the transmission and failures in creature comforts were all appalling. Neither of the Mazdas ever went to the repair bay. Fuel economy on the Mazda turbo is 3 mpg than Subaru non turbo for my driving. I don’t miss the loss of a bit of room for the reliability and fun to drive comfort of the Mazda.

It's amazing how far Mazda has come over the past decade, a proper transformation from my Dad's 121 'bubble' car! Subaru will always be my pick for the off roading capabilities, and I think you're right in saying that owners of the Outback or Forester aren't particularly fussed with the styling, it's all about utility and ability here!

I would go with the Outback. I bought a new 2021 Mazda CX-5. I believe the CX-50 has the same engine. It burns engine oil from day one. I looked up and found a bulletin for my car to be repaired. I took it in and they agreed that my car fell under that bulletin according to the VIN but, that I had to wait for the engine light to come on. By my calculation that won't happen until one oil change after my warranty is up. Don't take a chance and buy Mazdas. They don't stand by their product unlike Honda for instance. At the time I was shopping for my car, they had fuel dilution problems with some of their engines. Similar to my problem but worse. They put out a bulletin and fixed it. Mazda will do whatever it takes to avoid paying to fix the problem, even when they themselves admit that there's a problem.

Why Mazda released CX50? Will they close CX5 products 🤔

piston rings as ear rings nice touch

Zack, you’re wrong Andrea’s right

I like the regular Outback, the Mazda is nice but they have some of the more pricey parts and service as a Japanese company ( owned a mazda truck, MX-3, 323).I like the egress in and out of the Subaru better as the Mazda is lower and the overall functionality with my two boys would seem better with the wagon.( no plastic cladding 🥴)

Subaru's ride quality is sublime and has more spacious interior + luggage space. Mazda definitely have more driving fun thanks to their Miata DNA. For practicality alone, I would take the Wilderness even if its styling is bordering on polarizing to controversial kind of ugliness. CX-50 is definitely a rugged looker. I will also wait for the upcoming new Crosstrek, based on next Impreza, before deciding which to get. How about a Crosstrek Wilderness 2.5? That one will sell like crazy with its compact size.

Subie for me. Love the turbo engine, luxury ride and the better-than-expected handling.

Good comparison!

CX-50 for me. Not much "want it" factor with the Outback. Maybe slightly more practical for families.

I just got myself a Outback Premium 2020 with 11600 miles on it. Took 100k mile bumper to bumper warranty on it from Subaru which was only $1621. I drove the CX5 the night before. Looked at CX50. First the cargo space overall Outback simply has way more than CX5 and also somewhat more than CX50. I have 2 dogs (a black lab and a 30 pound poodle), me, my wife and a 17 year old son who is almost 6 foot already. Taking them all with baggage to go for a vacation in Tennessee log cabins or just get the heck out of Florida because a hurricane is coming .. it was no contest. Outback wins. Second the drive. Outback is solid but still just soaks up all the bumps. A better more comfortable ride than the Mazda while being able to go off the paved roads a bit. Third to get more than 2000 pounds towing capacity, you need to get the Turbo on CX50 which gives 3500 lbs towing capacity. CX5 is max 2000 regardless of engine. Outback w/ standard engine gives 2700 lbs and 3500 lbs max towing capacity with 2.4L Turbo engine (XT version). I would tow may be 3 to 4 times a year. Probably close to 2500+ pounds, so standard Outback did the job while otherwise giving 33 MPG Highway. Oh and those slim screens of Mazda. You navigate up not sideways on a map usually. And those dumb rotating knobs instead of touchscreen trying to save us from ourselves. Come on. That is a stupid call. Should do away with that. That was it for me. I have to say I did like the panoramic sunroof. My wife got a VW ID4 with a panoramic moonroof. I like it. It does not need to open. Just the view on a clear sky day is nice. Something Subaru should think about.

I don't know why people are so caught up if it's a CVT transmission! Both the regular automatic and CVT does the same thing: bring the car up to speed. 95% of the people will never care anyways. Honda does it, Subaru does it. And they both still sell a whole bunch of cars despite of it. Cheers 🍻

Before watching the video... I believe the 22 outback is one of the best deals in the automotive industry so I'm rooting for the outback, even if it's a couple of years old lol

Im up to my 8th Subaru. I have a 2022 Outback XT now. Subaru has gteat things going for it and in my view a few major fault. 1. Design is blah. 2. Power is great 3. Transmission is horrible, just horrible! 4. Interior materials are top notch 5. Comfort is great 6. No hard bottons for heated seat is a let down. 7. Driving confidance is best 8. Fuel mileage is just ok. Just! 9. Stearing is good 10. Room is good. 11. Driving position is great! Sitting nice and low! 12. Sound system is good. 13. infotaiment is good 14. Stop start will drive you crazy! 15. Why did I purchase it? Its all you could want/need in a car!

bought a cx50. It's a lot more fun to drive, and for this budget range and suv size, it's the only enjoyable ride. Subaru was my second choice, but just didn't corner as well as mazda. And even though Subaru's cvt was the best in this range, it was still a cvt. It did feel like a cvt during the drive. I'm not planning to drive hours on in the desert though, so I won't need as much offroadiness as some of the other commenters here. And I got fabric seats (more comfortable), with the goal of getting custom katzkin leather ones one these wear out. The gt trim leather is not comfortable at all.

Our 19 Outback gets only 22-23 mpg on the freeway with the cruise set on 73mph with the 2.5 liter 175hp. Our 11 Rav 4WD Limited with a 269hp 3.5 V6 gets 25-26 mpg on the freeway all day long. Our 11 Ford Ranger XLT super cab 4X4 with the 4.0 liter V6 gets 19-25mph on the freeway. Why can’t Subaru get the mpg of our Rav or our Ranger? The Outback is painfully slow and lousy gas mileage. I’d be afraid to get the XT only bc I’m sure the mpg would be considerably less than the standard 2.5 liter.

CX-50 looks super wide with low roofline. How's the headroom Zach?

Mazda makes the BF50 pickup/Ute and that thing is a tank. However it looks like the CX50 is a compromise too rough for the north American market but may be not capable enough? I guess time will tell.

Great video. Just recently placed an order on an outback wilderness. In Québec with our winter and horrible roads I just think the outback is the better choice for me

The Subaru seats are super comfortable. I’m still waiting (not so patiently) on Subaru to release the specs/pricing for the 2023 Crosstrek since it seems like dealers can no longer order 2022s!

I still prefer the Outback.

The plastic cladding don't bother me. I think I would rather the plastic get chiped than the paint. To me it don't look goofy,but then again I ain't trying to look European or upper class either.

Are the rumors true that the 2024 Outback will be completely clad in black plastic?

Funny cause the mazda has the same amount of cladding too. I don’t get his complaint, it looks great. Its meant for adventures and to protect it from scratches.

I can care less about a sunroof as well. I think it adds to a package, I guess. I have had a few cars with sunroofs and never used any of them, ever. Its nice to be able to crack them occasionally in winter when its hot in ur car and you want a little cold air but don't want the noise. Subaru's are excellent vehicles though. They have been using these cvts for a long long time. They have got it down. Not the only ones with good cvts, but they were the only ones at one time with the only good ones. Pioneered the cvt as far as im concerned.