2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid vs Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Which Makes Better Use of Toyota's Hybrid Tech?

Miami Herald

01-07-2025

Recently released for the 2025 model year, both Mazda and Subaru have teamed up with Toyota to optimize their hybrid battery technology for some of the two automakers' hottest crossovers–the CX-50 and the Forester. Although both play in the same competitive sandbox with one another and both use Toyota's battery tech, the similarities mostly end there.
If you're shopping for a compact, hybrid crossover and want something different from the bread-and-butter segment offerings like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Honda CR-V Hybrid, the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid and Subaru Forester Hybrid offer similarly excellent convenience, comfort, resale value, and style, albeit with more rugged appearances and more versatile capabilities. With all that being said, however, it might seem difficult to distinguish between the Mazda and the Subaru, so we're here to break down the differences for you.
Although Subaru offers four unique trim levels of the hybrid Forester crossover compared to the three available trim levels of Mazda's CX-50 Hybrid, the most basic CX-50 Hybrid can be had for significantly less money than the most basic Forester Hybrid. Opt for the $33,970 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Preferred, and you'll save yourself $2,625 compared to what the Forester Premium Hybrid would cost you. Even if you're not pinching pennies, the top-trim CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus starts at just $40,050, whereas the Forester Touring Hybrid will cost you upwards of $43,295. Both top-trim choices offer upgraded sound systems, panoramic moonroofs, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, active safety systems, and standard all-wheel drive.
Although both crossovers pair 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines (the Subaru's being a flat-four, and the Mazda's being an inline-four) with Toyota's well-proven hybrid battery system, the Mazda is the more powerful of the duo, with a combined 219 horsepower, versus the Subaru's 194 horsepower. What's more, the Mazda benefits from superior fuel economy, with an EPA-rated 39 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 38 mpg combined, versus the Subaru's EPA-rated 35 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, with a 35 mpg combined rating.
The CX-50 even has slightly more cargo volume than the Forester, unless the rear seats are folded down, in which case the Subaru wins. Things look even better for the Mazda when you look into the manufacturer's financing programs. Although individual finance rates vary from person to person based on credit rating and history, Mazda's website advertises a 3.9% (APR) rate over a 48-month term as their lowest available rate, whereas Subaru advertises a lowest rate of 5.9% (APR) over the same term length.
When we compare the Mazda and Subaru's hybrid variants to the non-hybrid variants with the same trim offerings, we can also see that Subaru charges noticeably more money just for the added benefit of a hybrid system, even despite having inferior fuel efficiency ratings compared to the Mazda. While a non-hybrid Subaru Forester Premium will cost you $3,210 less than the Hybrid Premium, a non-hybrid Mazda CX-50 Preferred will only save you $1,120 over the Hybrid Preferred, arguably making the upgrade to the CX-50 somewhat of a no-brainer if you're already set on the Mazda.
There's really no other way to put this: the Subaru Forester Hybrid has the highest starting price point of any hybrid crossover in its class at $36,595. The second most expensive offering is the $35,630 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid, followed by the $33,970 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid, the $33,465 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue, the $32,490 Ford Escape ST-Line Hybrid, the $32,300 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE, and the $30,290 Kia Sportage Hybrid LX. It is important to note, however, that both the Ford Escape Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid do not come equipped with all-wheel drive as a standard feature, thus crowning the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE as the least expensive all-wheel drive hybrid crossover in its class.
If you opt for all-wheel drive on the Kia Sportage Hybrid EX, its MSRP increases to $33,590. Do the same with the Ford Escape Hybrid ST-Line Select, and its MSRP increases to $34,190, making it more expensive than the CX-50 Preferred Hybrid by a slim margin. Essentially, the CX-50 Hybrid's price tag places it relatively in the middle of its classmates, whereas the Forester Hybrid commands a notably greater cost than every other option. The Forester Hybrid does, however, come with a standard panoramic moonroof and power tailgate, in case you're really picky about those sorts of things.
Obviously, at the end of the day, the choice is ultimately up to you. There isn't really a "wrong" decision when you're comparing vehicles in this class. The compact crossover segment is one of, if not the most competitive, in the automotive industry right now, and every manufacturer with an offering has shown up ready to play some serious ball. It's important to do your research and to understand that if you do opt for the Subaru Forester Hybrid over the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, it's going to cost you more money, it'll be slightly down on power, and not quite as fuel efficient.
More importantly, however, is taking the time to get behind the wheel of each model you're most seriously considering and getting a feel for how well it suits your driving style and daily lifestyle needs. After all your research is said and done, you might come to find that once you've actually driven your top choice, you might not even like it. To quote Cillian Murphy in the film Oppenheimer, "theory will only take you so far," and this rings true even with deciding on which car to purchase. So, arm yourself with the information you need to whittle your choices down to three or four models, get yourself in the driver's seat, and see how far your local dealerships are willing to go to earn your business. Best of luck with your search.
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