Compare the2025 Subaru ImprezaVS 2025 Mazda CX-5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Impreza have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Subaru Impreza has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Impreza and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	Impreza	CX-5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.4%	23%
Neck Stress	267 lbs.	274 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.8%	37%
Neck Stress	158 lbs.	205 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	86 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	291/273 lbs.	449/262 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	Impreza	CX-5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	6 lbs.	189 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	59 G’s	65 G’s
Hip Force	423 lbs.	524 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	254	449

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Impreza, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 7.6% to 8.1% less likely to roll over than the CX-5, which received a four-star rating.

Warranty

There are over 18 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Impreza’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Impreza has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-5’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Impreza’s reliability 15 points higher than the CX-5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 6th.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Impreza RS 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl.:

	Impreza	CX-5
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.1 MPH	78.3 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Impreza lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The CX-5 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Impreza gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
Impreza
	AWD	2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/34 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	Carbon/Premium Plus 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		S/Select/Preferred 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

Regardless of its engine, the Impreza’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-5 Turbo doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Impreza uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-5 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Impreza has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 (16.6 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Impreza higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-5 (4 to 6). This means the Impreza produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-5 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Impreza has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Impreza’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-5 are solid, not vented.

The Impreza stops shorter than the CX-5:

	Impreza	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	177 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Impreza’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5’s standard 65 series tires. The Impreza Sport/RS’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s 55 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Impreza RS handles at .83 G’s, while the CX-5 Turbo Signature pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Impreza’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the CX-5’s (34.8 feet vs. 36 feet).

Chassis

The Subaru Impreza may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 550 pounds less than the Mazda CX-5.

The Impreza is 3.9 inches shorter than the CX-5, making the Impreza easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Impreza is 7.1 inches shorter in height than the CX-5, making the Impreza much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The front grille of the Impreza uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Impreza has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Impreza easier. The Impreza’s trunk lift-over height is 26 inches, while the CX-5’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Impreza is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-5. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 20% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

The Impreza’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Impreza has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo.

Compared to traditional radio, the Subaru Impreza’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Impreza and the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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