The Subaru Outback has long been known for its rugged durability and the solid confidence it inspires on the road and off. When you're looking for a new family shuttle that's reliable, versatile, and safe, the 2021 Outback is a great choice. We know there are other choices out there, like the 2021 Mazda CX-5 so we've put together the following comparison for you to help make that decision a little easier. When you've finished reading and want to see the Subaru difference for yourself, stop by our showroom at Byers Airport Subaru and speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable Subaru experts.
Both the 2021 Outback and CX-5 come standard with seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels for a sporty, athletic look but that's about where the similarities end. The Outback offers a standard power moonroof on the Touring model while it's only optionally available on the CX-5, which means spending more money. While you can upgrade trim levels on the CX-5 and get standard LED fog lights, they come standard on all models of the Outback except the entry-level. When it comes to interior volume, Subaru is once again the clear-cut winner. It offers more head- and shoulder room and seven cubic feet more passenger volume overall than the CX-5. You get 75.7 cubic feet of cargo room in the Outback with the rear seats folded down as opposed to the paltry 59.6 cubic feet offered by the CX-5. Roof rails come standard on the Subaru Outback for even more cargo space but to get this feature on the Mazda CX-5, you have to spend more as it's only an available option.
Inside the cabin, both vehicles offer a standard six-way manually-adjustable driver's seat. You can upgrade to an eight-way power driver's seat in the CX-5 but the Outback delivers a ten-way power driver's seat so you have more ways to hit the pinnacle of comfort. Both crossovers also have leather-trimmed upholstery on the higher trim levels as well as heated rear outboard seats, a dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats come standard on all models but the base. Only the Outback offers ventilated front seats as standard fare on the Touring model and a hands-free power liftgate on the higher trim levels.
The CX-5 may offer an infotainment center with a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen display across all trim levels, but only the Outback gives you standard seven-inch dual monitors or the option to upgrade for a tablet-size 11.6-inch display. Both offer standard Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ capability plus Bluetooth® for smartphone pairing and hands-free calling. Dual USB ports come standard on all trim levels above the base model on the Outback, but you'll have to shell out more money to get this feature on the CX-5.
The 2021 Outback offers two engine options while the 2021 CX-5 only has the one. And while the one engine of the CX-5 may generate a little more horsepower than the base engine on the Outback, it's that second engine that delivers the game winner. With a 2.4L turbocharged BOXER® engine, the new Subaru Outback makes a tremendous 260 horsepower and 277 lb/ft of torque, giving you the power you need on the highway, a city street, or on a back road. The Outback also comes with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for better traction when winter hits central Ohio. While all-wheel drive is an option on the CX-5, it will cost you an extra $1,400 and bring your gas mileage down.
The National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration awarded both the 2021 Outback and CX-5 an overall safety rating of five stars and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named both crossovers a 2021 Top Safety Pick+. While that is the IIHS's highest honor, if you look closer, you'll see that the CX-5 received a lower rating in frontal crash tests than the Outback and only received a mark of acceptable when it came to their headlight system. The 2021 Outback received the highest mark thanks to its standard LED Steering Responsive headlights.
Both the Outback and the CX-5 come with standard driver assist features that make every journey more comfortable, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Automated Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning. But only the Outback offers the standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology suite, which includes Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Sway Warning, Pre-Collision Braking System, and more. The innovative DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System comes standard on the higher trim levels of the Outback and alerts you if it detects drowsy or distracted driving. This feature is not offered by the CX-5.
With a starting MSRP of just $26,795, the 2021 Subaru Outback may look a little more expensive than the $25,370 starting MSRP of the 2021 Mazda CX-5. But The Subaru Outback also comes stocked with standard features that will end up costing you more after you've added them to the CX-5. Standard All-Wheel Drive. A roomy, spacious interior with more cargo space, inside and out, not to mention the award-winning safety, are all reasons the Outback is the superior choice. Stop by Byers Airport Subaru or contact us to schedule your test drive today!
| 2021 Subaru Outback |
|
2021 Mazda CX-5 |
| $26,795 | Starting MSRP* | $25,370 |
| 33 Highway / 26 City | Standard Fuel Efficiency (MPG) | 30 Highway / 24 City |
| 260 | Max Available Horsepower | 227 |
| Standard | All-Wheel Drive | Available |
| 75.7 Cubic Feet | Max Cargo Volume | 59.6 Cubic Feet |
| Standard | Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™ | Standard |
| 3,500 | Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) | 2,000 |
| Standard | Lane Keep Assist | Standard |
| Standard | Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard |
| Standard Feature | Roof Rails | Optionally Available |
*Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.
