I drove the Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 for week — here's the $40K crossover SUV I recommend

(Image credit: John Velasco / Tom's Guide)

For my latest head-to-head matchup, I’m putting the 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Mazda CX-5 to the test to uncover which of these compact crossover SUVs is better across all the metrics I judge. Now, as much as I’m constantly vouching for the long-term savings of comparable compact crossover EVs, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Ford Mustang Mach-E, these mainstream, gas-powered options still benefit from lower starting prices.Both the Forester and CX-5 offer standard all-wheel drive, family-friendly versatility, and the effortless convenience of instant gas station fill-ups without the EV price premium. They come with as-tested prices of $40,465 and $41,080 for the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness and 2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus, respectively.They’re obviously priced higher than their entry-level trims, but still far less than comparable EVs. While they’re both crossovers at heart, they target completely different drivers. The Forester acts as a boxy Swiss Army knife built for maximum visibility, cargo capacity, and all-weather confidence — while the CX-5 trades some utility for style, delivering an upscale cabin that feels far richer than its price tag suggests.Subaru Forester vs. Mazda CX-5: Specifications

I drove the Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 for week — here's the $40K crossover SUV I recommend

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