Mazda CX-60 vs Subaru Forester

The Mazda CX-60 starts from $44,240 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Forester opens at $43,490. That makes the Subaru Forester the more affordable entry point by $750.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $48,664 and $47,839 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mazda CX-60 by roughly $1,995 in fuel alone.

Both the Mazda CX-60 and Subaru Forester hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the Mazda CX-60 and 83% for the Subaru Forester.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Subaru Forester packs more ADAS features with 4 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 3 in the Mazda CX-60.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Mazda CX-60 and 9 in the Subaru Forester.

The Mazda CX-60 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mazda CX-60 stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Subaru Forester. The Subaru Forester counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

The Mazda CX-60 lines up producing 138kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.4 seconds.

The Subaru Forester lines up making 136kW and 226Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.

The Mazda CX-60 has the clear power advantage at 138kW vs 136kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mazda CX-60 is 3.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The Mazda CX-60 measures 4,745mm long on a 2,870mm wheelbase, 90mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-60 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 570L in the Mazda CX-60 and 520L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Mazda CX-60 a 50L advantage.

For towing, the Mazda CX-60 leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,910/year for the Mazda CX-60 and $2,309/year for the Subaru Forester. That is a $399 annual difference in favour of the Mazda CX-60.

Estimated annual total: $1,910 (Mazda CX-60) vs $2,309 (Subaru Forester). The Mazda CX-60 saves you roughly $399 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 5 years (Mazda CX-60) vs 5 years (Subaru Forester). Both match on warranty length.