Compare the2026 Mazda CX-70VS 2026 Subaru Outback

The Mazda CX-70 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Outback doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-70 SC Plus/Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outback doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the CX-70 and Outback have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-70 has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outback’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-70 and the Outback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-70 weighs 727 to 1457 pounds more than the Subaru Outback. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Mazda CX-70 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Outback has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the CX-70 second among midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Outback isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

The CX-70 has more powerful engines than the Outback:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-70 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Outback:

The CX-70 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Outback can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-70’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outback doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outback (19.6 vs. 18 gallons).

For better stopping power the CX-70’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Outback:

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the Outback (265/55R19 vs. 225/65R17). The CX-70 Turbo/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outback (275/45R21 vs. 225/65R17).

The CX-70 PHEV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outback Wilderness’ standard 65 series tires. The CX-70 Turbo/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Outback XT’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-70 PHEV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Outback Wilderness. The CX-70 Turbo/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Outback XT.

The CX-70 has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outback doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 14.7 inches longer than on the Outback (122.8 inches vs. 108.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-70 is 4.9 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Outback.

The CX-70 has 29.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outback (141.6 vs. 112.3).

The CX-70 has 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outback.

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume than the Outback with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 34.6 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s cargo area is larger than the Outback’s in almost every dimension:

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CX-70 Premium’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Outback doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The CX-70’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outback’s (3500 vs. 2700 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Subaru Outback is only 3500 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-70 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outback uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The CX-70 Premium’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Outback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-70 PHEV SC Plus/Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Outback doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the CX-70 and the Outback have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CX-70 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outback prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the CX-70’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outback can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-70’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Outback’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CX-70 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Outback Premium/Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx.

The CX-70 Premium Plus has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.