2017 head-to-head · Small SUV

2017 Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,722/ year to fuel
27 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,661/ year to fuel
28 MPG

The 2017 Subaru Forester is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,661 a year to fuel (28 MPG), versus $1,722 for the 2017 Mazda CX-5 (27 MPG). That's roughly $62 a year, or about $308 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Mazda CX-5
  • Subaru Forester

Side by side

Mazda CX-5Subaru Forester
$1,722 Your annual fuel cost $1,661
27 MPG Combined efficiency 28 MPG
24 MPG City 26 MPG
31 MPG Highway 32 MPG
— Passenger volume 108 cu ft
— Cargo volume 34 cu ft
328 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 315 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl Engine / motor 2.5L 4-cyl
6-speed automatic Transmission CVT
FWD Drivetrain AWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester across model years

  • Mazda CX-5
  • Subaru Forester

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Among 58 2017 small SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 ranks 14th and the Subaru Forester 10th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 or the 2017 Subaru Forester?

Measured by cost to drive, the Subaru Forester. The Mazda CX-5 is rated 27 MPG combined and the Subaru Forester 28 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Mazda CX-5 vs. the Subaru Forester per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,722 for the Mazda CX-5 and $1,661 for the Subaru Forester.

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester in other years

More 2017 comparisons

Or compare the 2017 Mazda CX-5 with anything else:

Keep exploring