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Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Mazda CX-5
| Model Year | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Model | Forester | Forester | Forester | Forester | Forester | Forester | CX-5 | CX-5 | CX-5 |
| Trim | 2.5 X | 2.5 X Premium | 2.5 XT Premium | 2.5 X Limited | 2.5 X Touring | 2.5 XT Touring | Sport | Touring | Grand Touring |
| Engines | |||||||||
| Transmissions | |||||||||
| Drivetrains | |||||||||
| Tires | |||||||||
| Audio Systems | |||||||||
| Accessories | |||||||||
| Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value. | |||||||||
| Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | |||||||||
| Liftgate can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | |||||||||
| Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in. | |||||||||
| Homelink. | |||||||||
| Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | |||||||||
| Rear disc brakes. | |||||||||
| Automatically contacts 911 through a linked cell phone in the event of a severe collision. | |||||||||
| If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | |||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | |||||||||
| Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | |||||||||
| If collision detection system senses imminent collision, applies moderate braking. | |||||||||
| Automatically brakes car to avoid low-speed collisions. | |||||||||
| Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot. | |||||||||
| When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | |||||||||
| Warns of traffic coming from either direction when vehicle is in reverse, to prevent accidents when backing out of parking spaces. | |||||||||
| Indicates number of seconds behind preceding car. | |||||||||
| Alerts driver when approaching the preceding car too quickly. | |||||||||
| Mandatory, in all cars. | |||||||||
| Briefly and slightly reduce engine torque when the steering wheel is turned to transfer some weight forward and improve initial steering response. | |||||||||
| Applies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle. | |||||||||
| Steering lightly applied to help prevent the vehicle from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane. | |||||||||
| Alerts driver when the vehicle seems to be wandering out of the lane. | |||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | |||||||||
| Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | |||||||||
| Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others. | |||||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | |||||||||
| Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | |||||||||
| Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | |||||||||
| When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | |||||||||
| Cargo Management | |||||||||
| Net extending from the floor to the ceiling to prevent cargo from flying into the passenger area during sudden stops. | |||||||||
| Hitch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower. | |||||||||
| Usually part of an overhead console. | |||||||||
| Requires roof rails. Together constitute a roof rack. | |||||||||
| No crossbars. | |||||||||
| Large storage area beneath the load floor, often compartmentalized. | |||||||||
| Climate Control | |||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | |||||||||
| Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | |||||||||
| Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | |||||||||
| Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | |||||||||
| Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | |||||||||
| Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | |||||||||
| Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | |||||||||
| Heating elements defrost area where front wipers rest. | |||||||||
| Engine / Motor | |||||||||
| Only included if California/Northeast emissions equipment costs extra. | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Protective cladding extending partly onto the doors. | |||||||||
| Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | |||||||||
| Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | |||||||||
| Scoop on the hood, often not functional and purely decorative. | |||||||||
| Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks. | |||||||||
| Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | |||||||||
| Replaces and includes value of smaller sunroofs. | |||||||||
| Extensions to the wheel opening, both decorative and protective. | |||||||||
| Infotainment | |||||||||
| Touchscreen and/or voice control over apps that can include online search, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, OpenTable, and MovieTickets.com. Requires connected compatible phone. Fees may apply after first three years. | |||||||||
| Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | |||||||||
| Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | |||||||||
| Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | |||||||||
| High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | |||||||||
| Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | |||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | |||||||||
| Screen-based navigation system. | |||||||||
| Portable navigation system, with a smaller screen than a fully integrated unit, that connects mechanically and electrically into the instrument panel. | |||||||||
| XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | |||||||||
| Converts text messages to speech. | |||||||||
| Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | |||||||||
| Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | |||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | |||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | |||||||||
| Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | |||||||||
| High beams automatically turned on and off. | |||||||||
| Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | |||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | |||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn off. | |||||||||
| We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | |||||||||
| Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | |||||||||
| Projects various instrument readouts onto the windshield. Image actually appears to be floating over the nose of the car. Enables driver to keep eyes on the road. | |||||||||
| Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | |||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | |||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | |||||||||
| LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Front row reading lights. | |||||||||
| Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | |||||||||
| Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | |||||||||
| Reads road signs and displays them in the instrument cluster. | |||||||||
| Displays the current speed limit. Included with nav on an increasing number of cars. No feature value here because incomplete info on availability. | |||||||||
| Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | |||||||||
| Reports engine speed. | |||||||||
| Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | |||||||||
| Seats and Interior Trim | |||||||||
| All-weather floormats. | |||||||||
| Erects between the seats; in vans stows against a seat to open up walk through; in sedans stows in a console. | |||||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | |||||||||
| Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | |||||||||
| Manually adjustable lower back support. | |||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | |||||||||
| Seats tumble forward at the press of a button. Must be returned to upright position manually. | |||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | |||||||||
| A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe. | |||||||||
| Seating surfaces are part cloth or vinyl, part synthetic suede. | |||||||||
| Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | |||||||||
| Lug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels. | |||||||||
| Transmission | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
Option Package Contents
All Weather Package
Navigation system
Navigation system
Navigation system
i-ACTIVSENSE Package
i-ACTIVSENSE Package
Preferred Equipment Package
Premium Package
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4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
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