2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian vs. Subaru Outback Wilderness: Rugged Style Meets All-Terrain Grit

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The compact crossover SUV is a competitive and popular vehicle class. And for good reason. It’s stylish, accommodating, and practical. As a result, it has long been one of the best and fastest-selling automotive categories in America for decades. And this fact is only accelerating, which is apparent with two new releases for the 2025 model year. 

In this article, we’re making a comparison list of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition vs. 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition. And this is all being done in an effort to help you decide which model is the best choice for you. Keep reading to learn more.

How Does the Exterior of the Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition Compare to the Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition?

A vehicle's exterior design plays a significant role in the buying decision of many motorists. So, how do each of the compact SUV crossovers fare against each other when it comes to their exterior composition? Let’s take a closer look at each to find out.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition 

The CX-50 comes with a little bit more of an off-road design quality. Its rugged tires, biting traction, and reliable performance make the CX-50 a prime candidate for all-terrain applications. The model is equipped with LED headlights, a black roof rack that comes with crossbars, large dual-exhaust outlets, and more. As a result, the CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition showcases a bold presentation that makes it stand out as a powerful and prominent crossover.

2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition

A simple exterior feature that will immediately draw your attention is the center decal on the hood of the Outback Wilderness. It’s a stylish design element that helps to reduce glare. The Wilderness also comes with bold black cladding that enhances its front fascia, giving it a meaner and more aggressive design language. And this is further accentuated by its extensive side profile, which adds to its prominence on the roadway.

What Interior Differences Does the Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition Have Compared to the Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition?

Every driver wants a comfortable, relaxing, and well-connected driving experience. A user-friendly layout helps to facilitate this. And that’s why we’re comparing the CX-50 and the Wilderness in this critical category.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition 

Are you from a colder part of the country? You can easily stay nice and warm with the CX-50’s heated seats and heated steering wheel. This setup is countered and contrasted in warmer weather with ventilated seats as well. Another compelling interior feature of the CX-50 is its size. It boasts a generous amount of interior space for both passengers and cargo. 

As a result, you can haul items, load up on groceries, or simply go on a road trip with friends. All the while, you can enjoy a spacious interior that provides ample room for your needs.

2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition

Similar to the CX-50, the Wilderness also has quite a spacious interior. This is exemplified in its expansive hatch. With ample back seat leg room, a user-friendly layout, numerous storage and options, the Wilderness offers a welcoming cabin experience. Moreover, it comes with heated seats, soft-touch materials, and a digital/analogue gauge cluster. 

And lastly, the Wilderness comes with its signature 11.6-inch portrait-style multimedia display that provides a high-resolution backup camera. 

What Technology Does the Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition Have That the Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition Doesn’t?

Technology will always be a crucial selling point when it comes to a new vehicle’s appeal and desirability. People want the latest and greatest tech every year. So, how does the CX-50 compare to the Wilderness regarding technology? Let’s take a look and find out.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition 

One of the first tech features you see in the CX-50 Meridian Edition is its newly integrated 10.3-inch display mounted on the dash. It also comes with driver-assistance enhancements that improve its safety, enhanced nighttime performance, and wireless smartphone charging capability. As a result, the CX-50 is fully loaded with the latest technology to streamline the driving experience.

2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition

The 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition offers a well-connected driving experience. It provides numerous tech features that include hands-free phone connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming, iPod control capability, smartphone integration for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and more. As a result, the Wilderness is more than a compact SUV.

It’s a well-connected and state-of-the-art hub that will keep you and your passengers entertained with its seamless integration.

Which Model is the Best Choice for You?

Choosing between the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness is a matter of personal preference. However, there are some key details that do give the edge to the Mazda. The CX-50 presents a cleaner and more uniform look, contributing to its overall style. Moreover, the CX-50 also has better fuel economy figures, making it the more efficient and eco-friendly option for sustainability.

But despite these facts and features, the best choice for you will always be based on your own unique needs and lifestyle preferences. So, before purchasing either vehicle, take stock of the reasons you’re considering making the purchase in the first place. Doing this allows you to properly assess the vehicle to see if it meets your criteria. And that’s what allows you to make the right decision for you and your family.

Final Thoughts

Both the Mazda CX-50 and the Subaru Outback Wilderness are impressive compact SUVs. However, the CX-50 takes the edge with its cleaner and more sophisticated exterior and its more eco-friendly performance. And the best part is that we at Seacoast Mazda are here to pair you with one of your own. Our automotive specialists can address your concerns, answer your questions, and lead you through the vehicle-buying process. 

So, if you’re ready to get your 2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition at Seacoast Mazda, contact us today to learn more.

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