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The Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester are the best-selling models in their respective ranges, and with both having recently undergone a complete redesign, they should put up a strong fight against the dominant Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.
The CX-5 was completely redesigned for the 2026 model year, and we look at both this new variant as well as the very popular outgoing model to see how it has affected owner satisfaction levels.
The Forester was also redesigned in 2025, and comes with more tech and some great options for fans of this popular and rugged family SUV. We assessed the owner satisfaction levels of both the new and old models here too, and then compared them to the CX5’s scores.
Below is a detailed breakdown of owner satisfaction data over the past five model years based on J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book (KBB) surveys.
Mazda CX-5 vs. Subaru Forester: Owner Satisfaction
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article
Owner satisfaction surveys provide a broad overall view of a vehicle, capturing everything from the driving experience and build quality to long-term reliability and the dealership service process. Value-for-money, performance, comfort, and everyday practicality all play a pivotal role in determining a vehicle’s final score, and organizations like J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book conduct these evaluations annually to assess which models consistently deliver on buyer’s expectations.
The Mazda CX-5 is now entering its third generation, still powered by a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the newest CX-5 uses this proven combo and offers a more technologically advanced cabin, increased interior volume, and refined chassis tuning. The turbocharged engine option is no more, but it is still offered in the CX-50.
The Subaru Forester recently underwent its own comprehensive overhaul with the launch of the sixth-generation model in 2025. The redesigned Forester sports a bolder front end, protective cladding, and upgraded interior tech. While the standard 180-hp 2.5-liter Boxer engine paired with a CVT transmission remains, there is now also a 194-hp hybrid model which should deliver a bit more performance and better fuel economy. The Wilderness trim adds some decent off-road ability.
J.D. Power Consumer Ratings (2022–2026)
Subaru
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article
J.D. Power surveys over the past five years demonstrate that both the Forester and the CX-5 have remained consistent and scored in the ‘Great’ category year-on-year. Neither has suffered from the usual the initial quality dips that often plague ground-up overhauls, but this is largely due to the proven running gear that both models have carried over.
The Subaru Forester scores are often slightly ahead of the CX-5, and this is driven largely by its superb Dealership Experience ratings which consistently scored 91/100, earning J.D. Power’s “Best” classification, as well as outstanding Resale Value forecasts.
While Mazda owners tend to rate overall driving dynamics slightly higher, Forester owners report superior satisfaction regarding all-weather traction, visibility, and post-purchase customer support.
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Reviews (2022–2026)
Subaru
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article
Kelley Blue Book subdivides its consumer review metrics into categories including performance, styling, comfort, value, and reliability. The Mazda CX-5’s overall consumer ratings remained at 4.4 out of 5.0 for the past half of the second-generation model’s production run, dipping slightly with the new model.
The Subaru Forester mirrors this trend, although it has suffered a larger dip with the introduction of the new model. While owners continue to praise the Forester’s seating comfort and exterior styling, there have been complaints regarding the new touch-centric center console, climate controls integrated into the screen, and occasional software lag. These are the sorts of teething issues that typically smooth out as firmware updates and production adjustments roll out.
CX-5 vs. Forester: Aligning with Owner Expectations
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article
Comparing owner satisfaction scores between the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester is less about declaring a winner and more about understanding which vehicle best fulfills what its owner expects from it.
Each vehicle approaches the compact crossover formula from contrasting design philosophies: the CX-5 focuses on refinement, upmarket cabins and sharp handling, whereas the Forester prioritizes utility, and all-weather capability.
Both brands have lackluster base engines that have elicited complaints from owners, and to remedy this, the CX-5 should be introducing a hybrid variant in 2027, while the new Forester Hybrid promises to be peppier and more frugal, too.
The results from the J.D. Power survey suggest that Subaru has done the better job of meeting these expectations, but KBB shows that it is Mazda that has managed the transition to a new model with fewer issues. The differences between the two are small and come down to how the information is gathered and what vehicle traits are given the highest weighing.
As it stands, both the CX-5 and Forester mostly manage to deliver what owners expect of them, and the new models are sure to improve their scores as the platforms mature, software updates are rolled out, and owner concerns are addressed with recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).
Continue reading...
The CX-5 was completely redesigned for the 2026 model year, and we look at both this new variant as well as the very popular outgoing model to see how it has affected owner satisfaction levels.
The Forester was also redesigned in 2025, and comes with more tech and some great options for fans of this popular and rugged family SUV. We assessed the owner satisfaction levels of both the new and old models here too, and then compared them to the CX5’s scores.
Below is a detailed breakdown of owner satisfaction data over the past five model years based on J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book (KBB) surveys.
Mazda CX-5 vs. Subaru Forester: Owner Satisfaction
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article
Owner satisfaction surveys provide a broad overall view of a vehicle, capturing everything from the driving experience and build quality to long-term reliability and the dealership service process. Value-for-money, performance, comfort, and everyday practicality all play a pivotal role in determining a vehicle’s final score, and organizations like J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book conduct these evaluations annually to assess which models consistently deliver on buyer’s expectations.
The Mazda CX-5 is now entering its third generation, still powered by a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the newest CX-5 uses this proven combo and offers a more technologically advanced cabin, increased interior volume, and refined chassis tuning. The turbocharged engine option is no more, but it is still offered in the CX-50.
The Subaru Forester recently underwent its own comprehensive overhaul with the launch of the sixth-generation model in 2025. The redesigned Forester sports a bolder front end, protective cladding, and upgraded interior tech. While the standard 180-hp 2.5-liter Boxer engine paired with a CVT transmission remains, there is now also a 194-hp hybrid model which should deliver a bit more performance and better fuel economy. The Wilderness trim adds some decent off-road ability.
J.D. Power Consumer Ratings (2022–2026)
Subaru
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article
Model Year | Mazda CX-5 | Subaru Forester |
2026 | 82 (New Gen) | 84 |
2025 | 82 | 83 (New Gen) |
2024 | 82 | 83 |
2023 | 81 | 84 |
2022 | 83 | 83 |
5-Year Average | 82.0 | 83.4 |
J.D. Power surveys over the past five years demonstrate that both the Forester and the CX-5 have remained consistent and scored in the ‘Great’ category year-on-year. Neither has suffered from the usual the initial quality dips that often plague ground-up overhauls, but this is largely due to the proven running gear that both models have carried over.
The Subaru Forester scores are often slightly ahead of the CX-5, and this is driven largely by its superb Dealership Experience ratings which consistently scored 91/100, earning J.D. Power’s “Best” classification, as well as outstanding Resale Value forecasts.
While Mazda owners tend to rate overall driving dynamics slightly higher, Forester owners report superior satisfaction regarding all-weather traction, visibility, and post-purchase customer support.
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Reviews (2022–2026)
Subaru
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article
Model Year | Mazda CX-5 | Subaru Forester |
2026 | 4.2 / 5.0 (New Gen) | 3.7 / 5.0 |
2025 | 4.4 / 5.0 | 3.7 / 5.0 (New Gen) |
2024 | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.4 / 5.0 |
2023 | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.4 / 5.0 |
2022 | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.4 / 5.0 |
5-Year Average | 4.36 / 5.0 | 4.12 / 5.0 |
Kelley Blue Book subdivides its consumer review metrics into categories including performance, styling, comfort, value, and reliability. The Mazda CX-5’s overall consumer ratings remained at 4.4 out of 5.0 for the past half of the second-generation model’s production run, dipping slightly with the new model.
The Subaru Forester mirrors this trend, although it has suffered a larger dip with the introduction of the new model. While owners continue to praise the Forester’s seating comfort and exterior styling, there have been complaints regarding the new touch-centric center console, climate controls integrated into the screen, and occasional software lag. These are the sorts of teething issues that typically smooth out as firmware updates and production adjustments roll out.
CX-5 vs. Forester: Aligning with Owner Expectations
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article
Comparing owner satisfaction scores between the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester is less about declaring a winner and more about understanding which vehicle best fulfills what its owner expects from it.
Each vehicle approaches the compact crossover formula from contrasting design philosophies: the CX-5 focuses on refinement, upmarket cabins and sharp handling, whereas the Forester prioritizes utility, and all-weather capability.
Both brands have lackluster base engines that have elicited complaints from owners, and to remedy this, the CX-5 should be introducing a hybrid variant in 2027, while the new Forester Hybrid promises to be peppier and more frugal, too.
The results from the J.D. Power survey suggest that Subaru has done the better job of meeting these expectations, but KBB shows that it is Mazda that has managed the transition to a new model with fewer issues. The differences between the two are small and come down to how the information is gathered and what vehicle traits are given the highest weighing.
As it stands, both the CX-5 and Forester mostly manage to deliver what owners expect of them, and the new models are sure to improve their scores as the platforms mature, software updates are rolled out, and owner concerns are addressed with recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).
Continue reading...