Mazda CX-50 Hybrid vs. Subaru Forester Hybrid & Crosstrek Hybrid

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid vs. Subaru Forester Hybrid & Crosstrek Hybrid

The compact hybrid SUV segment is getting a lot more interesting with the arrival of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid and the new Subaru Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid models. Fresh off the arrival of the CX-50 Hybrid are Subaru’s two latest hybrid SUVs, announced for the 2025 and 2026 model years.

Like the new CX-50 Hybrid, the Subaru hybrid twins are heavily based on their gas-burning siblings. So, we can easily compare the dimensions and many of the specs of the three models while we wait to test-drive them back-to-back-to-back.

Check out our Mazda CX-50 Hybrid vs. Subaru Forester Hybrid vs. Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid comparison to see how these three rugged hybrid SUVs stack up in key areas like horsepower, ground clearance, MPG, passenger volume, and cargo space.

Powertrains: Mazda CX-50 Hybrid vs. Subaru Hybrids

As mentioned in our previous Mazda CX-50 Hybrid coverage, this rugged gasoline-electric Mazda model is motivated by Toyota hybrid power, the same setup found in the Toyota RAV4: a 2.5-liter inline-four gas engine paired with three electric motors.

An electric AWD system (e-AWD) comes standard, with the 2.5-liter gas engine driving the front wheels and one of the electric motors putting power down to the rear wheels.

You’ll have to wait for the third-generation Mazda CX-5 and its hybrid variant for a fully Mazda-developed hybrid powertrain in a compact SUV.

The Subaru Crosstrek has offered a hybrid powertrain before, in two separate generations. Both were underpowered, had middling fuel economy, and were pretty poorly received by the public. Perhaps this time around things will be different. The Forester Hybrid also joins the Subaru hybrid lineup with a similar setup while adding more cabin space.

This time around, Subaru has developed a new series-parallel hybrid setup, pairing its famed Boxer (or horizontally opposed) engine with two electric motors. Like the CX-50 Hybrid (and presumably the upcoming CX-5 Hybrid), the Subaru hybrid twins feature a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2.5 liters.

So, how do the power output and MPG ratings compare between the Subaru compact hybrid twins and the first-ever Mazda CX-50 Hybrid?

Thanks, in this case, to a Toyota hybrid system, the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid bests both the new Subaru Forester Hybrid and the latest Crosstrek Hybrid in engine performance. The CX-50 Hybrid’s inline-four and electric motors crank out a total of 219 horsepower.

The flat-four Subaru engine and its two electric motors generate 194 horsepower. While less potent than the CX-50 Hybrid, the Subaru hybrid setup is still an improvement over the automaker’s previous Crosstrek Hybrid efforts utilizing a far less powerful 2.0-liter setup.

As for efficiency, the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid makes a strong case with its EPA-estimated 38 MPG Combined (in mixed city and highway driving). The 2025 Forester Hybrid returns up to an EPA-estimated 35 MPG Combined, falling a bit short of the Mazda.

The 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid should also achieve around 35 MPG Combined like its slightly larger sibling.

Subaru is committed to utilizing its mechanical Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive setup even in its hybrids. Most gas-electric models, the CX-50 Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid included, use an electric AWD setup.

The mechanical AWD and high ground clearance of the Subaru Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid result in a slight MPG penalty compared to more efficiency-optimized options like the CX-50 Hybrid. However, the Subaru hybrid twins can hold about two more gallons in their gas tank than the Mazda, so range shouldn’t be an issue for any of these three hybrid SUVs.

Forester Hybrid vs. Crosstrek Hybrid vs. CX-50 Hybrid: Dimensions & Capacities

If you still prioritize passenger volume, cargo space, and all-terrain capability in a hybrid SUV, you’ll at least want to consider the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid or Forester Hybrid. The smallest of the three models here, the Crosstrek Hybrid, is fairly comparable with the CX-50 Hybrid in both passenger space and maximum cargo capacity. The smaller Subaru has slightly more room for passengers but less volume in its cargo hold.

The new Forester Hybrid surpasses both its Subaru sibling and the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid in interior space and versatility. It offers substantially more passenger volume and maximum cargo capacity, with 110 cubic feet for up to five occupants and 69.1 cubic feet for cargo when the rear seating isn’t needed for passengers.

Still, the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid holds its own with the most sizable standard cargo bay behind its back seats of the three models compared here, measuring 29.2 cubic feet before lowering the second row.

There are plenty of drivers who will choose the CX-50, CX-50 Hybrid, or just about any Subaru SUV merely on rugged looks alone. However, if you actually plan to take your hybrid SUV off pavement, you’ll get a bit more ground clearance with the Subaru models.

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid ground clearance reaches 8.1 inches in top spec, while the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and Forester Hybrid models can clear up to 8.7 inches (like many other modern Subaru models).

Comparing Mazda CX-50 Hybrid vs. Subaru Hybrid Specs at a Glance

	2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid	2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid	2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Engine	2.5L I-4 Hybrid	2.5L H-4 Hybrid	2.5L H-4 Hybrid
Transmission	eCVT	eCVT	eCVT
Drivetrain	e-AWD	Symmetrical AWD	Symmetrical AWD
Horsepower	219	194	194
Est. MPG (Combined)	38	35	~ 35
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.5 gal	16.6 gal	16.6 gal
Length	186.1 in	183.3 in	176.4 in
Width	72.9 in	72 in	70.9 in
Wheelbase	110.8 in	105.1 in	105.1 in
Ground Clearance	7.8 – 8.1 in	8.7 in	8.7 in
Passenger Volume	97 cu ft	106.6 cu ft	100.5 cu ft
Cargo Space	29.2 cu ft	27.5 cu ft	18.6 cu ft
Max Cargo Capacity	56.3 cu ft	69.1 cu ft	54.7 cu ft

Subaru Hybrids vs. Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Interior and Exterior

The CX-50 Hybrid is widely considered the more upscale and stylish model here, with a more premium design inside and out. Mazda’s KODO “soul in motion” design language prioritizes handsome exterior styling over more practical measures.

The Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid, like other Subaru SUVs, tend to lean more toward the utilitarian end, both in design and practicality. For instance, outward visibility is better on the Forester Hybrid (with its larger side windows and rear glass) than on the sleek-styled CX-50 Hybrid.

Both Subaru and Mazda utilize somewhat unique infotainment setups for their cars and SUVs, so drivers may greatly prefer one or the other depending on personal tastes.

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid interior boasts an ultra-wide digital display nestled within the center portion of the dashboard, which is mainly controlled via the Mazda Connect commander knob and buttons, located just behind the gear selector. Touchscreen capability is also available in many modern Mazdas for those who prefer it over using the control knob for tasks like navigation Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

For what it’s worth, we prefer using the commander control knob and buttons rather than reaching to touch the screen, although the Mazda Connect system doesn’t take some getting used to at first.

The new Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid are offered with a large digital display in a vertical, or portrait, layout. The display runs down the center stack and acts as a touchscreen (with accompanying knobs and buttons) for navigating nearly all controls and settings in these Subaru SUVs.

We find navigating Mazda’s setup is more convenient for making quick adjustments to things like cabin temperature settings, thanks to its dedicated knobs and buttons for the HVAC controls. The Subaru system relies a bit too much on touchscreen functions for our taste.

Which Rugged Compact Hybrid SUV Would You Choose?

If you’re in the market for a compact hybrid SUV, will you be considering the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid or Forester Hybrid alongside the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid?

The Subaru hybrid models should prove to be stiff competition for the CX-50 Hybrid. The year before these hybrid variants were introduced, the Crosstrek and Forester gas models both outsold the gas-powered CX-50 in the U.S. by about 100,000 units each.

The new Subaru Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid are likely to be heavily cross-shopped and potentially even preferred by some outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to maximize their all-terrain driving capabilities, as they offer a little extra ground clearance and generous cargo capacity for their compact size.

As Mazda enthusiasts here at MazdaMotoring, we’d still lean toward the CX-50 Hybrid (or the upcoming CX-5 Hybrid) if we were planning a purchase or lease of a compact SUV with gas-electric propulsion.

With more power, impressive MPG ratings, and classic Mazda cornering prowess, the CX-50 Hybrid ticks a lot of boxes for many drivers (even if its Toyota-sourced gas-electric powertrain isn’t quite as responsive as Mazda’s Skyactiv engines in models like the gas-powered CX-50). Don’t forget that the CX-50 Hybrid also comes with an interior that looks and feels far more upscale than what the Subaru hybrid twins offer.

All three options in this compact hybrid SUV comparison provide a unique mixture of rugged style and capability, efficiency, and utility. So, which would you choose?