Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5 Insurance Cost
The Subaru Forester is cheaper to insure by about $185 a year for full coverage by our estimate ($1,140 vs. $1,325), and cheaper in 51 of 51 states.
Side-by-side insurance estimate
| Coverage | Subaru Forester | Mazda CX-5 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $445 | $550 | −$105 |
| Standard (100/300/100) | $645 | $795 | −$150 |
| Full coverage | $1,140 | $1,325 | −$185 |
National average base rates, driver in their 30s with a clean record, latest model year of each car. Difference = Forester minus CX-5.
Why one costs more to insure
| Factor | Subaru Forester | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Small SUV | Small SUV |
| Powertrains | Gasoline, Hybrid | Gasoline, Diesel |
| HLDI collision (100 = avg) | 64 | 80 |
| HLDI comprehensive | 84 | 71 |
| HLDI property damage liability | 63 | 96 |
| HLDI bodily injury liability | 55 | 79 |
| NHTSA overall rating | 5★ | 5★ |
| NICB most-stolen rank | Not in top 10 | Not in top 10 |
| Recalls (latest 3 model years) | 8 | 0 |
Collision losses are the biggest swing factor: the Mazda CX-5 has 16 points higher relative collision losses, meaning its crash repairs cost insurers more on average. Comprehensive losses (theft, weather, glass) also favor the Mazda CX-5.
Forester vs CX-5 insurance by state
By driver profile (full coverage)
| Driver | Forester | CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $3,130 | $3,645 |
| Young adult (22) | $1,820 | $2,120 |
| Adult in their 30s | $1,140 | $1,325 |
| Adult in their 50s | $1,045 | $1,220 |
| Senior (72) | $1,275 | $1,485 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $1,650 | $1,920 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $2,105 | $2,450 |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is the Subaru Forester or the Mazda CX-5 cheaper to insure?
By our estimate the Subaru Forester is cheaper, by about $185 a year for full coverage ($1,140 vs. $1,325) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record.
Why does insurance cost differ between the Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5?
Mostly because of insurance-loss history: HLDI collision indices of 64 vs. 80 and comprehensive indices of 84 vs. 71 (100 = average), plus repair costs, theft rates and segment.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.