The Subaru Forester is pulling further ahead of the Mazda CX-5 in 2026 sales, widening a gap that has grown substantially compared with the same period last year. Through the end of July, Subaru has sold 123,727 Foresters in the U.S., compared with 74,760 Mazda CX-5s.
Forester Sales Surge Ahead of CX-5
Americans buy thousands of compact crossovers every month, with around 15 models from mainstream brands currently available in the segment, excluding luxury vehicles. The Honda CR-V leads the group this year, while the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester remain two notable competitors.
In July 2026, Subaru sold 15,873 Foresters, while Mazda sold 12,068 CX-5s. The difference becomes much more significant when looking at year-to-date sales.
| Model | 2025 YTD | 2026 YTD | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | 85,799 | 74,760 | -12.9% |
| Subaru Forester | 107,858 | 123,727 | +14.7% |
At this point last year, the Forester led the CX-5 by 22,059 units. That advantage has now increased to 48,967 units, putting Subaru considerably ahead of Mazda.
Both models remain far behind the Honda CR-V, which recorded 264,449 sales from January through the end of July this year.
Why Mazda CX-5 Sales Are Down
One factor that may have affected the CX-5’s decline is Mazda’s introduction of a new generation of the crossover early in 2026. The transition between generations can bring a temporary sales decline as manufacturers increase production of the new model.
Toyota also experienced a decline in RAV4 sales when that crossover entered a new generation.
However, the generation change may not be the only factor behind the CX-5’s sales decline. The latest model features a completely redesigned interior that replaces the previous model’s tactile, user-friendly controls with a large touchscreen.
The new CX-5 also no longer offers the more powerful turbocharged engine that helped make the previous model an engaging vehicle to drive. Mazda’s CX-50 does not have either of those changes, and it has surpassed the new CX-5 in year-to-date sales.
Why the Subaru Forester Is Gaining Ground
The current Subaru Forester has stayed closer to Subaru’s established approach. While it is not as refined as the Mazda, the Forester has been praised for its rugged design, durable materials and solid powertrains.
The Forester is particularly capable on dirt roads in Wilderness guise, which adds a raised ride height and higher towing capacity. Subaru has also added a 194-horsepower hybrid model, something the CX-5 does not currently offer.
By maintaining a familiar formula while introducing incremental improvements, the Forester continues to deliver the qualities expected from a Subaru crossover at a high-value price.
Mazda CX-5 Faces Key Trade-Offs
The new Mazda CX-5 continues to offer strong ride and handling, while its interior is more refined than the Forester’s more utilitarian cabin. However, the move toward a large touchscreen has come at the expense of some usability compared with the previous model.
The CX-5’s limited powertrain lineup is another challenge, at least until a hybrid version arrives.
For now, the sales numbers continue to favor the Subaru Forester, with its lead over the Mazda CX-5 significantly larger than it was at the same point last year.
