2018 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 and 2018 Subaru Crosstrek contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2018 Mazda CX-5 and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek.
When we compare the 2018 Mazda CX-5's and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, interior volume and base engine power. The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Mazda CX-5's and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is a better car than the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek.
Pricing: A used 2018 Mazda CX-5 ranges from $13,408 to $22,220 while a used 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is priced between $12,398 to $22,029.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 loses 42.4 percent of its value and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek loses 33.6 percent of its value. This means the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek retains 8.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2018 Mazda CX-5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda CX-5 is 8.5 out of 10 while the Subaru Crosstrek's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Mazda CX-5 being ranked 5 out of 67 Best Crossover SUVs and the Subaru Crosstrek being ranked 3 out of 67.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda CX-5 is 8.1 out of 10. For the Subaru Crosstrek the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the Mazda CX-5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Crosstrek.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2018 Mazda CX-5’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek base engine makes 152 horsepower. The CX-5 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 459 miles. The Crosstrek is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 481 miles.This gives the 2018 Mazda CX-5 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2018 Mazda CX-5, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2018 Mazda CX-5 and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,150
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$24,370
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$22,550 - $27,895
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$21,795
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$20,788
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$18,290 - $26,600
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$17,904
Price Range:
$13,408 - $22,220
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$16,311
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$12,871 - $23,031
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
513
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
84,073
# Good or Great Deals:
269
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$17,541
Price Range:
$12,398 - $22,029
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$14,903
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$12,243 - $17,541
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Mazda CX-5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Subaru Crosstrek Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Mazda CX-5
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
4.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6 - 8.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
26.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
4.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
3.1 - 6.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
24.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.9 - 14
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.2 - 7.7
Mazda CX-5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 56Ranking
1 out of / 18Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 19Ranking
20 out of / 56Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
54 out of / 67Subaru Crosstrek Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 56Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 21Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
11 out of / 14Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 56Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels
Grand Touring, Sport, Touring
2018 Subaru Crosstrek Trim Levels
2.0i Base, 2.0i Limited, 2.0i Premium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
152 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
145 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 31 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 459 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
382 / 481 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
30.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
59.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
20.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
55.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
121.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3563 lbs
Width:
72.5 inches
Height:
66.2 inches
Length:
179.1 inches
Wheelbase:
106.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3113 lbs
Width:
79 inches
Height:
63.6 inches
Length:
175.8 inches
Wheelbase:
104.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Eternal Blue Mica
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Silver
Sonic Silver Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Quartz Blue Pearl
Red
Venetian Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Gray
Cool Gray Khaki / Dark Gray Metallic
Orange
Sunshine Orange
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
