Mazda CX-70 vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Mazda CX-70. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Mazda CX-70 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mazda CX-70 stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, power tailgate and Bose audio — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mazda CX-70 gets leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the Mazda CX-70 and 2-zone in the Subaru Forester.

Drivetrain

The Mazda CX-70 uses a Petrol producing 254kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds.

The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Mazda CX-70 has the clear power advantage at 254kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Mazda CX-70 measures 5,120mm long on a 3,120mm wheelbase, 465mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-70 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 598L in the Mazda CX-70 and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Mazda CX-70 a 102L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 2015L vs 1174L.

For towing, the Mazda CX-70 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Subaru Forester's turning circle is 1.0 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mazda CX-70 costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $57 a year less for the Subaru Forester.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-70) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mazda CX-70), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Mazda CX-70: more power (254kW against 136kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (598L against 496L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,500kg against 1,800kg).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $73,020) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,252 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 72

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Mazda CX-70's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 23 points), performance (Mazda CX-70 ahead by 20 points), value (Subaru Forester ahead by 10 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Subaru Forester costs about $57 less (7.9 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 598L in the Mazda CX-70, 496L in the Subaru Forester.

Common questions