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CX-5 vs Forester: two compact SUVs with standard all-wheel drive, and two different ways to handle winter. The 2026 Subaru Forester costs a little less and uses a little less fuel. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has more power, a true 6-speed automatic and a warranty with unlimited mileage. Here is the comparison in Canadian dollars, and which one to choose depending on how you drive, from Saint-Jérôme to Saint-Hippolyte.
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 2026 Subaru Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5 L 4-cylinder | 2.5 L flat-4 (hybrid version available) |
| Power | 187 hp, 186 lb-ft | 180 hp, 178 lb-ft (hybrid: 194 hp) |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | Continuously variable (CVT) |
| All-wheel drive | i-Activ AWD, standard | Symmetrical full-time AWD, standard |
| Fuel economy city / highway | 9.9 / 7.9 L/100 km | 9.1 / 7.2 L/100 km (hybrid: 6.8 / 7.0) |
| Starting price (MSRP, fees extra) | $36,300 | $34,195 |
Sources: 2026 CX-5 pricing, Mazda Canada and 2026 Forester, Subaru Canada. Fuel economy based on Natural Resources Canada methods.
Both SUVs come with all-wheel drive on every trim sold in Canada. The Forester sends power to all four wheels at all times. The CX-5 uses i-Activ AWD, which reads temperature, slope and steering to send torque to the rear before the wheels slip.
On an icy hill in Saint-Colomban, both systems do the job. What really changes grip is the tires. In Quebec, winter tires are mandatory (in French) from December 1 to March 15, and good winter tires help as much with braking as with getting going.
The Forester keeps an edge on dirt roads and snowy driveways: its X-MODE manages traction at low speed. On Highway 15 and plowed roads, the CX-5 feels more settled and its steering is more precise.
Let’s be honest: at the entry level, the Forester costs less. Higher up the range, the gap shrinks.
| Budget | 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 2026 Subaru Forester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | GX: $36,300 | Convenience: $34,195 | Forester: $2,105 less |
| Mid-range | GS: $39,200 | Touring: $39,195 | Same |
| Well equipped | GT: $42,200 | Sport: $41,695 | Forester: $505 less |
| Top of the range | GT with Premium Package: $46,700 | Premier: $45,695 | Forester: $1,005 less |
| Hybrid | Not available | Hybrid Premier: $48,695 | — |
MSRP before freight, PDI and fees. Subaru Canada lists $2,842 in regional fees on the Forester. Compare the equipment too: the GX already has heated front seats and a 12.9-inch screen, and the GT adds heated rear seats.
The gas Forester uses less fuel than the CX-5, in the city and on the highway. At 20,000 km a year of mixed driving and gas at $1.60/L, the gap works out to about $240 a year.
The Forester Hybrid goes further: about $640 less in gas per year than the CX-5, under the same conditions. However, it costs $2,000 more than a CX-5 GT with the Premium Package. Mazda has confirmed a CX-5 hybrid is coming (in French), with no plug-in version.
The CX-5 has a bit more power, but above all a true 6-speed automatic. It responds more directly than a CVT, especially when passing on Route 117 or climbing toward Saint-Hippolyte.
Mazda also offers an unlimited-mileage warranty, on both the basic and the powertrain coverage. For a commuter on Highway 15 every morning and evening, that matters. The best way to decide is to drive both on the same road: book a test drive of the CX-5.
“Customers in the area want space: we see a lot of young families with kids in sports. They also want all-wheel drive they can count on for getting around the Laurentians.”
Charles, sales advisor at Mazda Saint-Jérôme
Choose the Forester if:
Choose the CX-5 if:
Also looking at a Toyota? Read our CX-5 vs RAV4 comparison (in French). Tighter budget? See our used CX-5 inventory.
Both have standard all-wheel drive and handle winter well. The Forester has an X-MODE that helps off-road. On the road, the difference comes mostly from winter tires.
The Forester: 9.1 L/100 km in the city and 7.2 on the highway, compared with 9.9 and 7.9 for the CX-5. The gap is worth about $240 a year for 20,000 km.
Yes. i-Activ AWD is standard on every 2026 CX-5 trim sold in Canada, from the GX to the GT with the Premium Package.
At the entry level, yes, by $2,105 before fees. In the mid-range and at the top of the range, prices are almost the same. Compare the equipment trim by trim.
The best comparison happens behind the wheel. Come try the 2026 Mazda CX-5 at 155 Lachapelle Blvd., just minutes from Prévost, Saint-Colomban and Sainte-Sophie. Browse our new inventory or book a test drive online.
