Compact crossovers offer an incredible blend of space and practicality, paired with manageable road footprints. These features make them ideal for families who primarily commute in urban areas while taking the occasional long trip. However, not all compact SUVs have all-wheel drive. Some models offer it as an option. However, examples such as the 2024 Mazda CX-50 and the 2024 Subaru Forester come with all-wheel-drive as standard.
All-wheel drive is beneficial if you live in an area with heavy rainfall and moderate snowfall. The added traction benefits will help you get home every time. Furthermore, all-wheel-drive compact SUVs can also engage in some mild off-roading. That's why you'll find this Mazda vs. Subaru comparison particularly useful. We'll examine the interior, performance, and safety specifications of the 2024 CX-50 and the 2024 Forester.
If you want to check out the 2024 Mazda CX-50 in detail, you'll find it at Keffer Mazda in Huntersville, NC. Drop by at a convenient time, and our Mazda experts will assist you. They'll show you around our inventory, answer all your questions, and help you get behind the wheel of the CX-50.
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 and the 2024 Subaru Forester offer two-row passenger cabins that accommodate up to five adults. Additionally, the 2024 CX-50 comes with Mazda’s attractive Kodo design philosophy. That’s why you’ll find the cabin ergonomics superior to the 2024 Forester. Essential controls are easy to handle, and the seats have been designed for optimal comfort over long drives.
The 2024 CX-50 includes dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather-trimmed gear shifter on all trims. These features are only available on higher trims of the 2024 Forester. You can opt for leather upholstery on upper trim levels in either vehicle. Venturing up the trim range also grants you powered and heated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.
Moreover, the 2024 CX-50 has a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen on all trims, as well as an eight-speaker sound system. Meanwhile, the 2024 Forester offers a 6.5-inch or 8-inch unit, depending on the trim level selected. Lower trim levels also get just four speakers. Both compact crossovers include Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ support on all trims. The CX-50 also holds front and rear USB charging ports, as well as a 60-40 split-folding back seat across the range.
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 range comes with two engines. Both use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit. Lower trims have a naturally aspirated engine version that makes 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Turbo trims get a turbocharged variant of this engine. Mazda says the engine will output 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on 87-octane pump gas. Pumping premium 93-octane gas will give you 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.
All 2024 CX-50s come with a Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. But a manual mode is available; some trims come with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. All-wheel-drive is standard, using Mazda's i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive system. The system also offers Off-Road and Sport modes. As per independent testing, the turbocharged 2024 CX-50 can do 0-60 in just 6.6 seconds.
The 2024 Forester comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The naturally aspirated Boxer engine develops 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. A Lineartronic CVT gearbox drives all four wheels via Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Some variants feature steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The 2024 Forester takes eight seconds in the 0-60 benchmark.
The 2024 CX-50 can tow up to 2,000 pounds. Meanwhile, the 2024 Forester maxes out at 1,500 pounds of towing capacity.
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 and the 2024 Subaru Forester have autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. They also include airbags, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Moreover, you'll find them equipped with daytime running lamps, tire pressure monitoring systems, stability control, and child safety locks.
However, the 2024 CX-50 comes with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Furthermore, its adaptive cruise control is radar-guided and includes stop-go assist. There’s a driver attention alert system as well.
There's no question about it: the 2024 Mazda CX-50 is an excellent all-wheel-drive compact SUV for you to buy. It's got a better-equipped cabin, more powerful engines, and more safety tech. If you'd like to know more about the 2024 CX-50, swing by Keffer Mazda in Huntersville, NC. Our team will take you through each trim, show you around our lots, and enable you to test drive the 2024 CX-50.
