2024 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5 Comparison | Moline, IL
If you’re searching for a sporty SUV perfect for the whole family, turn to either the 2024 Subaru Outback or 2024 Mazda CX-5. Both of these sleek SUVs seat up to five, boast modern infotainment technologies, and offer two energetic engine options each, including turbocharged engines. For more information about these two SUVs, read through this 2024 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison crafted by the McLaughlin Subaru team.
If you prefer the Outback, learn more about it by heading over to our review, then explore our new Subaru Outback inventory to see our current availability. Once you’ve found your ideal Subaru model, you can use our online form to schedule a test drive and pair it with a lease offer. Have questions? Give us a call at (309) 726-4684 or message us online. Our Moline, IL, Subaru dealership is proud to serve the communities of Bettendorf and Davenport, IA, as well as surrounding communities.
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2024 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5Length
Of the two, the 2024 Subaru Outback is longer, coming in at 191.9 inches long, with a wheelbase measurement of 108.1 inches. Meanwhile, the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is 180.1 inches long and has a wheelbase of 106.2 inches.
2024 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5Interior Features
Both the 2024 Subaru Outback and Mazda CX-5 have plenty of amenities in their respective cabins to keep everyone content. Both models offer lumbar support and memory settings for the driver’s seat. You have greater flexibility when it comes to choosing your ideal seating position on the Outback with the available 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat. The CX-5 is only available with an eight-way power driver’s seat and six-way power front passenger’s seat.
You and your whole crew can enjoy your driving playlist with the available 12-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system on the Outback or Bose® ten-speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint® and AudioPilot® on the CX-5. Other available 2024 Subaru Outback interior and infotainment features include:
Interior:
- Heated front seats, rear outboard seats, and steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle
- Power tilt/sliding glass moonroof
- Ventilated front seats
- Reclining rear seats
Infotainment:
- SUBARU STARLINK® dual 7-in. Multimedia or 11.6-in. Multimedia Plus or Navigation system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
- Bluetooth®
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability
- CD player
- HD Radioâ„¢
- SiriusXM® Satellite Radio


2024 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5Dimensions & Storage Space
Both the 2024 Subaru Outback and Mazda CX-5 offer sizable cabins, with the Outback ultimately boasting the most space. Configure your cargo and passenger capabilities with help from the reclining 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatback on the Outback or the 40/20/40 split one-touch fold-down and reclining rear seatback on the Mazda CX-5. View Subaru Outback and Mazda CX-5 interior dimensions in the accompanying table.
2024 Model | Subaru Outback | Mazda CX-5 |
---|---|---|
Passenger Capacity | Five | Five |
Max. Cargo Capacity | 75.6 cu.-ft. | 59.3 cu.-ft. |
Cargo (Behind Second Row) | 32.6 cu.-ft. | 30 cu.-ft. |
Headroom (Front / Rear) | 40.1 / 39.1 in. | 39.7 / 39 in. |
Legroom (Front / Rear) | 42.8 / 39.5 in. | 41 / 39.6 in. |
Shoulder Room (Front / Rear) | 58.1 / 57.4 in. | 57.1 / 54.8 in. |
2024 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5Gas Mileage & Towing Capacity
Power through your daily drive in either the 2024 Subaru Outback or 2024 Mazda CX-5. The Subaru Outback has the advantage when it comes to fuel economy and towing capacity, no matter which engine you select. Handle all types of weather in either the Outback or CX-5 with the standard all-wheel drive included on both models, which is called symmetrical AWD on the Outback and i-ACTIV AWD® on the CX-5. The Outback comes with Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission) and the CX-5 comes with a SKYACTIV®-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift. If you’re looking to take your drive to the next level, the Outback offers dual-function X-MODE® with snow/dirt and deep snow/mud modes and the CX-5 is available with off-road mode and sport mode. View the 2024 Subaru Outback and Mazda CX-5 engine specs here:
2024 Subaru Outback
Engine | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER® four-cylinder | 2.4L turbo SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder |
---|---|---|
Horsepower | 182 HP | 260 HP |
Torque | 176 lb.-ft. | 277 lb.-ft. |
Max. MPG (city / hwy) | 26 / 32 | 22 / 29 |
Max. Towing Capacity | 2,700 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. |
2024 Mazda CX-5
Engine | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L four-cylinder | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L four-cylinder with Dynamic Pressure Turbo |
---|---|---|
Horsepower | 187 HP | 256 HP |
Torque | 185 lb.-ft. | 320 lb.-ft. |
Max. MPG (city / hwy) | 26 / 31 | 22 / 27 |
Max. Towing Capacity | 2,000 lbs. | 2,000 lbs. |
2024 Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5Safety Features
Protect your loved ones in either the 2024 Subaru Outback or 2024 Mazda CX-5 with their top-notch driver assistance features. Remain in the correct lane with the help of the lane departure warning and lane keep assist systems on both models. Keep a set distance from the vehicle in front of you thanks to advanced adaptive cruise control on the Outback and Mazda radar cruise control with stop and go on the CX-5.
Other available 2024 Subaru Outback driver assist features include:
- Blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert
- Rear vision camera
- LED daytime running lights
- 180-degree front-view monitor
- DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system
- EyeSight® driver assist technology
- Advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering
- Pre-collision braking
- Lane departure and sway warning
- Lane keep assist
- Automatic emergency steering
2021 Subaru Outback vs. 2021 Mazda CX-5: Head-to-Head Comparison
Go on a grand adventure to the local flea market or the not-so-local lake when you drive either the 2021 Subaru Outback or 2021 Mazda CX-5. Below are reliable and boldly-designed five-passenger SUVs with intriguing performance specs. To find out more, read through the following Outback vs. CX-5 guide crafted by the McLaughlin Subaru team.Â
If you find the 2021 Subaru Outback intriguing, be sure to check out our online inventory, which includes Subaru Outback models for sale in Moline, IL. Find a model you love? Pair it with our Outback offer to save. Have questions? Call our Subaru dealership in the Quad Cities at (866) 960-7363.
For the sake of comparison, we have matched the 2021 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT, with a starting MSRP of $35,145, against the 2021 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo, which starts at $30,760 MSRP.
Power & Handling
Perform at your best no matter whether you drive a 2021 Subaru Outback or a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The Outback is equipped with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD), while the CX-5 offers a choice between front-wheel drive or AWD. Check out the Outback and CX-5 engine specs in the following table.Â
Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT |
2021 SUV Model |
Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo |
2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® four-cylinder |
Engine |
2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder |
260 HP |
Horsepower |
250 HP |
277 lb.-ft. |
Torque |
320 lb.-ft. |
23/30 |
MPG (city/hwy) |
23/28 |
3,500 lbs. |
Towing Capacity |
2,000 lbs. |
Lineartronic® continuously variable (CVT) |
Transmission |
SKYACTIV® six-speed automatic |
Interior
Achieve an optimum level of comfort in the 2021 Subaru Outback or 2021 Mazda CX-5. The Outback has a ten-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar, while the CX-5 only provides eight-way power positioning, also with power lumbar. Both also include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, but the CX-5 adds red stitching to both the wheel and handle to further accentuate them. For more premier Outback interior features, view the following list.Â
- StarTex® water-repellent upholstery
- Eight-way power front passenger’s seat
- Dual-zone climate control
Exterior
Dark glamour draws the eye on both the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and 2021 Subaru Outback. Both are crafted with aluminum alloy wheels topped with a black finish, which are 18 inches on the Outback and 19 inches on the CX-5. If you’re looking for an SUV with easy trunk access, both also include a hands-free power liftgate. The CX-5 liftgate has programmable height adjustment, while the Outback has automatic close, height memory function, and a vehicle lock button. View other Outback exterior features below.Â
- Crystal Black Silica-finish folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals
- Body-color door handles
- Raised roof rails
Dimensions
The 2021 Outback and 2021 CX-5 are similar in many respects, but two dimensions stand out . The Outback is longer, which also equals more cargo volume when the rear seats are lowered. The following table breaks down Outback and CX-5 dimensions for you.
Subaru Outback |
2021 SUV Model |
Mazda CX-5 |
Five |
Seating Capacity |
Five |
75.7 cu.-ft. |
Cargo Capacity |
59.6 cu.-ft. |
40.1/39.1 in. |
First/Second row Headroom |
39.3/39 in. |
42.8/39.5 in. |
First/Second row Legroom |
41/39.6 in. |
191.3 in. |
Length |
179.1 in. |
73 in. |
Width |
72.5 in. |
66.1 in. |
Height |
65.3 in. |
Technology
Elevate your commute by rocking out to the tunes emanating from your infotainment system on either the 2021 Subaru Outback or 2021 CX-5. The Outback has a larger infotainment touchscreen, which clocks in at 11.6 inches. The CX-5 touchscreen is 10.25 inches in size. Both infotainment systems include Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and Bluetooth® functionalities to make connectivity easier. Keep reading for more Outback technologies.
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability
- HD Radio®
- SiriusXM® Travel Link
Safety
Protect your loved ones in either the 2021 Subaru Outback or 2021 Mazda CX-5. Both have rear vision cameras to make backing up easier than before. Both are also paired with lane departure warnings. This is matched with lane keep assist on the CX-5 and a sway warning on the Outback. The Outback model’s lane departure warning is part of the larger EyeSight® driver assist technology suite, which you can see more of below.
- Advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering
- Pre-collision braking
- Lane keep assist
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