Subaru Outback vs. Mazda CX-5: The Ultimate Road Trip Showdown

April 1st, 2024 by

Hitting the Open Road: Why the Subaru Outback Reigns for Road Trips

Plan your dream road trip with the Subaru Outback! Discover why it outshines the Mazda CX-5 with unbeatable cargo space, standard AWD, comfortable interior, and advanced features.

Hitting the Open Road: Why the Subaru Outback Reigns Supreme for Road Trips

The allure of the open road beckons, and choosing the right vehicle for your adventure is crucial. While both the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Outback are compelling compact SUVs, the Outback emerges as the superior choice for conquering long journeys and creating unforgettable road trip memories.

Here’s a comprehensive analysis highlighting why the Outback surpasses the CX-5 in road trip readiness:

Unmatched Cargo Capacity: Room for All Your Gear

Road trips often involve carrying a significant amount of luggage, camping equipment, or outdoor gear. The Subaru Outback reigns supreme in this aspect, boasting a best-in-class cargo space of 35.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded down, this cavernous space expands to a whopping 73.3 cubic feet.

The Mazda CX-5, while offering a respectable cargo capacity of 30.8 cubic feet with the rear seats upright, falls short when compared to the Outback’s expansive storage capabilities. This can be a significant constraint, especially for longer road trips where packing efficiently is essential.

Embracing the Elements: Standard All-Wheel Drive for Unmatched Confidence

Unpredictable weather conditions are a reality on road trips. The Subaru Outback comes equipped with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as a standard feature on all trim levels. This renowned system continuously distributes power to all four wheels, ensuring optimal traction and control on various terrains, be it rain, snow, or even light off-roading.

The Mazda CX-5 offers AWD as an option on most trims. While the available i-Activ AWD system is competent, its absence as standard equipment might pose a challenge for drivers seeking year-round confidence in diverse weather conditions.

Comfort Reigns Supreme: Long Drives Made Easy

Road trips often involve extended periods behind the wheel. The Subaru Outback prioritizes passenger comfort with its spacious and well-appointed interior. Ample legroom and headroom for all passengers, coupled with supportive and comfortable seating, ensure everyone arrives at their destination feeling refreshed and relaxed.

The Mazda CX-5, while offering a comfortable interior, might have slightly less legroom and headroom in the rear seats compared to the Outback. This can be a noticeable factor, especially for families or groups traveling long distances.

Gearing Up for Adventure: Superior Roof Rack Options

Road trips often involve carrying additional gear like bikes, kayaks, or camping equipment. The Subaru Outback offers integrated roof rails as a standard feature on all trims. Additionally, a wide variety of aftermarket roof rack options are readily available, allowing you to customize your Outback’s carrying capacity to suit your specific needs.

The Mazda CX-5 requires installing aftermarket roof rails, which adds an extra step to the preparation process and might limit the available options compared to the extensive selection readily available for the Outback.

Creature Comforts: Keeping Everyone Entertained

Long stretches of highway can lead to boredom, especially for passengers. The Subaru Outback comes equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. This allows passengers to connect their smartphones and access their favorite music, podcasts, audiobooks, or even navigation apps, keeping everyone entertained throughout the journey.

The Mazda CX-5’s infotainment system, while functional, might not offer the same level of seamless smartphone integration as the Outback. This can limit entertainment options and hinder the overall enjoyment of long road trips.

Safety First: Confidence on Every Mile

Peace of mind is paramount on any road trip. The Subaru Outback boasts a superior safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), achieving a 5-star overall rating. Additionally, the Subaru EyeSight driver-assistance suite, offered as standard equipment on most trims, includes features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control, further enhancing safety and reducing driver fatigue on long journeys.

The Mazda CX-5 also offers a comprehensive suite of safety features. However, the Outback’s standard EyeSight system and its exceptional safety ratings might provide an extra layer of confidence for drivers, especially those embarking on long road trips with families or passengers.

Proven Reliability: A Partner You Can Trust

Subaru vehicles are renowned for their exceptional reliability and durability. This is particularly crucial on road trips, where encountering unexpected situations is a possibility.  Subaru consistently ranks high in reliability surveys, giving owners peace of mind knowing their Outback is built to last and can handle the demands of extended journeys.

Ownership Experience

When you choose the Subaru Outback, you’re not just buying a vehicle – you’re joining a community of passionate Subaru owners who value adventure, exploration, and outdoor living. With its strong resale value and dedicated owner support, the Outback offers an unmatched ownership experience that extends far beyond the road trip itself.

Whether you’re attending Subaru events, joining outdoor clubs, or sharing road trip stories with fellow owners, the Subaru Outback brings people together and fosters a sense of camaraderie that lasts a lifetime.

In conclusion, while the Mazda CX-5 is a capable SUV in its own right, the Subaru Outback emerges as the ultimate road trip companion with its spacious interior, all-wheel-drive performance, off-road capabilities, and advanced safety features.

If you’re planning your next adventure on the open road, look no further than the Subaru Outback for a journey filled with excitement, comfort, and unforgettable memories. Visit Hello Subaru Valencia today to experience the road trip-ready Subaru Outback for yourself! Out friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through the exciting journey of finding the perfect Subaru Outback for your undiscovered adventures.

Check out our extensive inventory of Outback models, and set up a test drive here. Follow our socials for updates and financing deals.

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