2023 Subaru Forester vs. 2023 Mazda CX

SUVs give off an image of rugged capability, but not all of them actually it. Plenty of compact crossovers that look ready for the trail are actually just modest commuters in cosplay.

That's not true of the 2023 Subaru Forester or the 2023 Mazda CX-50. They’re both great for commuting to work and running errands but also reliable in a snowstorm or on a muddy forest road.

Let's see how two compact SUVs with actual off-road skills compare in day-to-day living.

Subaru markets its vehicles as safe, capable off the road, and reliable. Those are good descriptions of the brand's long-running compact SUV, the Forester. Available in six trim levels, from basic to very well-equipped, the Forester starts at $26,495.

Good fuel economy: The Forester has the CX-50 beat at the pump. It gets 29 mpg in combined driving. The CX-50's two engine choices give you either 25 or 27. Given the volatility of gas prices in recent years, the savings could be significant.

Available Wilderness model: The heart of the Subaru brand is the excellent symmetrical all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. It makes every Forester capable off-road. But if you really plan to test your Forester's sand-and-mud capability, the new Wilderness model offers extra ground clearance, dual-function X-Mode for different surfaces, and the kind of all-terrain tires that make a big difference on bounce down to the canoe launch.

Greater cargo capacity: These two have similar cargo space behind the rear seats. But when you fold the rear seats down, there's a different story. The Forester has 74.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded. The CX-50? Just 56.3.

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Mazda is trying something new with the Mazda CX-50. The brand known for excellent on-road handling has built itself a trail rider. It has all the interior refinement and cornering agility Mazda vehicles are known for, but it can also get a little dirty. Pricing starts at $27,550.

Mazda athleticism: Every Mazda is fun to drive on the pavement. Even if you’re looking at these two because you’ll be taking your SUV on the dirt now and then, it's still likely to spend most of its time on the road. Why not enjoy handling critics consistently praise, and even an optional turbocharged engine making 256 horsepower — 74 more than the Forester?

Premium interior: The CX-50 is a brand new design for 2023, with a much more updated look inside than the Forester's cabin. At higher trim levels, features like Bose 12-speaker audio, leather seats, a panoramic moonroof, and wireless charging really set it apart.

Well-equipped base trim: The base 2.5 S trim includes wireless Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and alloy wheels. The Forester's entry-level model gets CarPlay, but only with a wire. There's no option for Wi-Fi, and the wheels are old-school steel.

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Standard AWD, advanced automated safety systems, base 4-cylinder engines.

Either of these two will get you places some other compact SUVs can't go. Standard AWD and rugged features like scratch-resistant body cladding set them apart from most of their class. What sets them apart from one another is the Forester's value and even-more-capable Wilderness model and the CX-50's on-road panache. One of those may appeal to you more than the other, but we’d recommend a test drive of each.

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