Mazda CX-7 vs. Subaru Outback
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-7 and Subaru Outback 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 Mazda CX-7 and the Subaru Outback.
In comparing the Mazda CX-7's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-7 has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Mazda CX-7 and Subaru Outback have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-7's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback is a better car than the Mazda CX-7.
Pricing: A used 2012 Mazda CX-7 ranges from $4,367 to $12,999 while a used 2012 Subaru Outback is priced between $5,867 to $14,993.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda CX-7’s base engine makes 161 horsepower, and the Subaru Outback base engine makes 170 horsepower. Both the CX-7 and the Outback are rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 443 and 500 miles respectively. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Outback has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Mazda CX-7 has the advantage in the area of front shoulder room. The Mazda CX-7 and Subaru Outback are comparable in regards to rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru Outback has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,190
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,295
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$22,664
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$18,500 - $26,115
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$8,405
Price Range:
$4,367 - $12,999
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
11
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
163,464
# Good or Great Deals:
5
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$10,035
Price Range:
$5,867 - $14,993
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$10,858
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$8,363 - $25,397
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
193
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
135,678
# Good or Great Deals:
52
Mazda CX-7 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-7
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Outback
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.9
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
23.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.5 - 23.4
Mazda CX-7 Rankings
Not yet available
Subaru Outback Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 67Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 30Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 59Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda CX-7 Trim Levels
i Sport, i SV, i Touring, s Grand Touring, s Touring
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R 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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
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:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
161 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
161 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.046 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
170 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
1000 lbs
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):
20 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
328 / 443 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 500 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
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
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
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
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.8 inches
Cargo Space:
29.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
131.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
34.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
139.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3496 lbs
Width:
73.7 inches
Height:
64.8 inches
Length:
184.3 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3386 lbs
Width:
81 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
188.2 inches
Wheelbase:
107.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/70R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Clearcoat
Blue
Stormy Blue Mica
Red
Black Cherry Mica / Copper Red Mica
Silver
Liquid Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Deep Indigo Pearl / Sky Blue Metallic
Red
Ruby Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Satin White Pearl
Beige
Caramel Bronze Pearl
Gray
Graphite Gray Metallic
Green
Cypress Green Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Sand
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Warm Ivory
Black
Off Black
