But the 2.5L CX-5 was still not as fast/fun as the new Subaru Forester, though CX-5 seems to be better built and nicer looking.
The Subaru might feel faster but the CX-5 is a bit quicker. Look at these statistics from Consumer Reports testing, both are AWD. Subaru probably employs the same trick most other manufacturers do by making the throttle very sensitive to trick you into thinking the car is faster than it is. I through in some other statistics for the fun of it. The Subaru is lighter and gets slightly better fuel economy too.
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-cyl CVT vs Mazda CX-5 Touring 4-cyl 2.5
0 to 30 mph, sec. 3.5 2.8
0 to 60 mph, sec. 8.7 8.0
45 to 65 mph, sec. 5.8 5.0
Quarter-mile, sec. 16.8 16.2
Quarter-mile, mph 86 86
Avoidance maneuver, max speed
52.0 52.5
CR's overall mileage, mpg
26 25
Engines available
2.5-liter 4 (170 hp); 2.0-liter 4 turbo (250 hp) 2.0-liter 4 (155 hp); 2.5-liter 4 (184 hp)
CR's city/highway, mpg
18 / 35 19 / 32
Curb weight, lb.
3,370 3,435 *
Owner Satisfaction
Good vs Excellent
Reliability
Good vs Excellent
Owner Costs
Good vs Good
NHTSA overall frontal-crash
Good vs Excellent
NHTSA front-crash, driver/front passenger
Excellent/ Good vs Excellent/ Excellent
IIHS front small overlap
Good vs Marginal