Battle of the Crossovers: Subaru Forester vs. Mazda CX-5 (2025 Edition)
The 2025 Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 go head-to-head in a showdown of performance, comfort, and design. Find out which crossover delivers the perfect mix of practicality, style, and value in 2025’s ultimate SUV comparison.
2025 Subaru Forester
The Forester is, like, the definition of “useful first, pretty later,” but the 2025 one actually looks cleaner now. Boxy-ish on purpose. Starts around $28,000, standard AWD (bless), and still has that silly-good 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Not fast nope but the visibility is chef’s kiss. Big windows, tall roof, back seats that adult humans can actually use. Cargo space is just… easy. If you camp, ski, have dogs, or just hoard Costco paper towels, this thing gets you. The infotainment is fine, the safety tech is solid, and the ride is comfy without wallowing. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the one you call at 2 a.m. when your plans go sideways.
2025 Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 is the “I have taste” crossover. Starts around $29,500, and it looks more expensive than that, especially in that deep red Mazda loves. Interior’s classy materials feel genuinely premium, and the seats are sneaky good on long drives. The turbo engine? If you spring for it, it totally wakes the car up. Not a sports car, but the steering’s tight and the drive feels, I dunno, put-together. Downsides: a little less rear-seat and cargo room than the Forester, and if you’re rough on cars mud, gravel, random trailheads the Mazda feels like you’re scuffing your nice shoes. But as a daily? It’s the one that makes you smile.
2025 Honda CR-V
The CR-V is still the middle-ground champion. Around $28,800, big interior, easygoing ride, and the hybrid gets excellent mileage without feeling weird. Nothing flashy, but it just does everything at like an 8/10. If the Forester is the practical pick and the CX-5 is the stylish one, the CR-V is the “I don’t want to think about this” option. Seats are comfy, safety tech plays nice, and resale is strong. Boring? Maybe. Regret-proof? Also yes.
2025 Toyota RAV4
The RAV4’s got that chunky, adventure-core vibe even if it’s mostly doing school runs. Starts around $30,000, and the hybrid trims are the sweet spot great MPG and still plenty of pep. Interior is durable-feeling, slightly plasticky in places, but built to last. Infotainment is better now, though sometimes Toyota software feels like it’s conserving enthusiasm. It’s the reliable friend you don’t tell wild stories about it, but it’s always there, starts every time, and shrugs at abuse.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson is like a concept car that wandered onto the lot. About $27,500 to start, and the value is kind of ridiculous features, safety stuff, warranty, all stacked. The hybrid’s smooth and punchy around town. Interior design is modern, a little screen-heavy but clean. Handling’s calm rather than sporty. And the styling… yeah, you either love the angles and lights or you don’t. I think it’s cool. Might look dated in six years. Or genius. Flip a coin.
2025 Kia Sportage
Cousin to the Tucson, a smidge cheaper around $26,500 and honestly also a great value. The interior is spacious, especially the rear seats, and the hybrid trims are super sensible. Slightly more conservative styling than Tucson (still bold though). If you want a lot of car for not a lot of money and a long warranty to keep your stress low, this hits. Doesn’t drive as sharp as a CX-5, doesn’t feel as rugged as a Forester, but covers the middle nicely.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
German manners on a Target run. Around $29,000, and it feels solid in that VW way doors thunk, steering’s tidy, everything’s restrained. You can get a tiny third row, which is more “occasionally useful” than “family hauler,” but still, nice option. Tech is better than the old touch-only mess, thank goodness. Reliability is the wildcard; when it’s good, it’s lovely. When it’s not, your wallet sighs. But it’s one of the nicest-driving crossovers in the class.
2025 Nissan Rogue
Nissan’s glow-up continues. Starts around $26,000, comfy seats (seriously good), decent materials, and that ProPILOT Assist is actually helpful in traffic. The powertrain is fine; the CVT is… also fine. It’s not thrilling, but it’s smooth and quiet and easy to live with. If you want something modern and chill and you got a good deal? Makes sense. It just doesn’t have a clear “wow” like Forester’s utility or CX-5’s feel.
2025 Ford Escape
Escape’s like the slightly sporty kid in class. Around $28,000, nice steering, good seats, and if you snag the hybrid, the mileage is great. Ford tech when it works is solid—big screen, clear UI. But reliability is the big “hmm,” and resale isn’t as bulletproof as Toyota/Honda. If you value driving feel but don’t want to commit to a Mazda, this is a sneaky pick… with an asterisk.
2025 Jeep Compass
I want to root for it because it looks tough, but inside it’s just okay for the money. Around $24,000 to start, and the Trailhawk trims bring some genuine trail talent, but then the price creeps into “why not a Cherokee or Forester Wilderness?” territory. Fine around town, not particularly roomy, and fuel economy is meh. If you’re married to the Jeep badge, sure; otherwise there are better-balanced choices.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Outlander is the surprise “hey, that’s nicer than I expected” one. About $26,500, with a usable third row (for kids or small adults on short trips) and a genuinely upscale-feeling cabin at higher trims. The PHEV version is the interesting one if you can swing it—electric for the commute, gas for road trips. Dealer network can be spotty, resale isn’t amazing, but day-to-day it’s comfortable and well-equipped.
