Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Americans buy thousands of compact crossovers every month, in part because there are so many to choose from. Excluding luxury models, there are around 15 compact crossovers from mainstream brands on sale right now. This year, the best-selling model from that group is the Honda CR-V, but the segment includes other strong contenders like the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. In 2026 so far, the sales gap between these two vehicles has grown considerably. Here's a closer look at the numbers and the possible reasons for the shift.Rugged Subaru Leads Classy Mazda2026 Subaru Forester WildernessCole AttishaView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementIn July 2026, Subaru sold 15,873 units of the Forester, while Mazda sold 12,068 CX-5s. That's not a huge difference, but the year-to-date sales numbers tell another story.Mazda CX-5 Vs. Subaru Forester Sales: 2026 Year-to-Date2025 YTD2026 YTD% ChangeMazda CX-585,79974,760-12.9%Subaru Forester107,858123,727+14.7%This time last year, the Forester was ahead of the CX-5 by 22,059 units. That gap has now grown to 48,967 units, leaving the Subaru far ahead of its rival. Both are still well behind the top-selling CR-V, which has tallied 264,449 sales between January and the end of July this year.One significant factor which could have impacted the CX-5's drop in sales is the fact that Mazda introduced a new generation of the crossover early in 2026. Transitioning from one generation to the next often comes with a brief sales dip as manufacturers ramp up production of the new model. Toyota also experienced a decline in RAV4 sales when that crossover entered a new generation.Related: I Drove The All-New 2026 Mazda CX-5: Here's My Honest Review Of The Compact SUV For People Who Like DrivingWhy Buyers May Prefer The Forester2026 Subaru Forester WildernessSubaruView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementSwitching over to a new generation may not be solely responsible for the CX-5's sales decline this year. The latest model has a completely new interior design that replaced the older model's tactile, user-friendly controls with a large touchscreen. It's a change that not everyone feels is a step in the right direction. Furthermore, the CX-5 is no longer offered with the more powerful turbocharged engine that made its predecessor such a fun vehicle to drive. Mazda's own CX-50 has none of these issues, which may explain why it has actually surpassed the new CX-5 in year-to-date sales.On the other hand, the current Forester has not strayed from Subaru's core values. It's not as refined as the Mazda, but the Forester has always been praised for its rugged design, durable materials, and solid powertrains. It's especially capable on dirt roads in Wilderness guise, which introduces a raised ride height and higher towing capacity. Subaru also added a 194-horsepower hybrid model not too long ago, something the CX-5 doesn't currently offer. Related: Did Mazda Misfire on Its New and Formerly Best-Selling CX-5?Final Thoughts2026 Subaru ForesterSubaruView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementBy sticking to a tried-and-trusted formula and introducing incremental improvements, the Forester will feel like home for any Subaru fan. It's not the most technologically advanced or quickest vehicle in this class, but it delivers everything owners expect from a Subaru crossover for a high-value price.The new Mazda CX-5 still rides and handles brilliantly, while the interior is smarter than the Forester's more utilitarian approach. But by compromising usability and going all-in on a giant touchscreen, something has been lost between this model and the old one. The lack of powertrain diversity is also a problem, at least until a hybrid version arrives.For now, it looks like the gap on the sales charts will continue favoring the trusty Forester.Related: 2026 Mazda CX-90 vs. Subaru Ascent: Which Turbocharged 3-Row is the Better Buy?AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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