2020 head-to-head · Small SUV
2020 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.
AWD · 2.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 29 MPG
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2020 Mazda CX-5 (28 MPG) costs about $1,661 a year to fuel and the 2020 Subaru Forester (29 MPG) about $1,603.
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-5 | Subaru Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,661 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 25 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 31 MPG | Highway | 33 MPG |
| 322 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 309 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 87 2020 small SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 ranks 22nd and the Subaru Forester 18th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 or the 2020 Subaru Forester?
Measured by cost to drive, the Subaru Forester. The Mazda CX-5 is rated 28 MPG combined and the Subaru Forester 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 Mazda CX-5 vs. the Subaru Forester per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,661 for the Mazda CX-5 and $1,603 for the Subaru Forester.
Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester in other years
More 2020 comparisons
Mazda CX-5 vs…
Or compare the 2020 Mazda CX-5 with anything else: