What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek expensive to maintain?

At $492/year the Crosstrek sits just $26 above the subcompact segment average of $466 — essentially at par on sticker cost. Where it distinguishes itself is frequency: a 13% repair rate versus the segment average of 20% means fewer unscheduled shop visits per year. Combined with a 7% major repair probability (below the 9% class average) and a 9/10 reliability score, it's a strong long-term ownership choice.

What is the best year for a Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2023 Crosstrek stands out with only 32 complaints, a 10/10 NHTSA safety score, and just 4 severe issues — the cleanest year in its recent history. Avoid the 2019 model, which had 276 complaints. The 2023–2025 window represents the most refined version currently available on the used market.

How much does Subaru Crosstrek insurance cost?

The Crosstrek averages about $1,968/year to insure — roughly $164/month — making it one of the more affordable subcompact SUVs to insure. Its strong safety ratings and low theft profile keep rates competitive across most driver profiles.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Honda HR-V cheaper to maintain?

The HR-V is cheaper by about $191/year — $301 versus $492 for the Crosstrek. The HR-V also leads on reliability (10 vs. 9) and major repair probability (5% vs. 7%). The Crosstrek's counterargument is standard AWD, which the HR-V doesn't offer — a meaningful difference depending on where and how you drive.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Crosstrek?

Probably not. A 7% major repair probability and 13% repair frequency both sit below the subcompact segment average, and a 9/10 reliability score puts it in low-risk territory. If buying a 2019 model used, some coverage is worth considering given elevated complaints that year — otherwise, self-insuring makes more financial sense.

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Crosstrek

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Mazda CX-5 to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Subaru Crosstrek if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Mazda CX-5	Subaru Crosstrek
Annual maintenance	$447winner	$492
5-year total cost	$2,235winner	$2,460
Reliability score	9 / 10	9 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	8%	7%winner
Cargo space	—	54.7 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$29,990	$27,600winner
Best years to buy	—	2021

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Mazda CX-5	Subaru Crosstrek
RepairPal score	9 / 10	9 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	106.6	74.9winner
Years to avoid	2014, 2025	2018, 2019, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	78.5%	90.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	62.1%	71.2%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	53.2%	59.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Mazda CX-5	Subaru Crosstrek
Engine	12.8%	10.7%winner
Electrical	23.1%	10.1%winner
ADAS	8.5%winner	10.4%
Brakes	7.6%	1.6%winner
Suspension	—winner	1.0%
Steering	2.0%winner	3.1%
Fuel system	1.6%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	1.3%winner	2.2%
Glass/Windows	14.4%winner	33.0%
Airbags	1.6%	1.4%winner
Lighting	2.5%winner	2.5%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Mazda CX-5	Subaru Crosstrek
Avg annual premium	$1,947winner	$1,968

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Crosstrek

$492/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →