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Brand ComparisonMazda vs Subaru reliability

Mazda vs Subaru

Mazda vs Subaru by Mention Network: Which Japanese brand has fewer problems? Subaru's head gasket failures vs Mazda's rust issues destroying frames.

Key Findings

Which brand leads in AI visibility and mentions.

Subaru slightly leads Mazda in AI visibility rankings

397AI mentions analyzed
6AI Apps tested
5different prompts evaluated
Last updated:Nov 07, 2025

AI Recommendation

Brands most often recommended by AI models

Subaru

Top Choice

5/6

Models Agree

Popularity Ranking

Overall ranking based on AI brand mentions

IIHS

Rank #1

1/1

Total Analyzed Answers

Trending Mentions

Recent shifts in AI model responses

IIHS

Rising Star

100%

Growth Rate

Brand Visibility

Analysis of brand presence in AI-generated responses.

AI Visibility Share Rankings

Brands ranked by share of AI mentions in answers

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AI Visibility Share Over Time

Visibility share trends over time across compared brands

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subaru
mazda
toyota
honda
apple

Topics Compared

Key insights from AI Apps comparisons across major topics

"Which brand offers better value and features?"

Toyota emerges as the leading brand for value and features across most AI models due to its consistent high visibility and implied reliability in multiple sectors like automotive performance and user accessibility.

deepseek
deepseek

Deepseek shows a slight favor towards Apple with the highest visibility share at 2.1%, suggesting a perception of superior value through innovation and ecosystem strength. Toyota, at 1%, is less prominent, indicating a neutral tone towards its features compared to tech brands.

gemini
gemini

Gemini strongly favors Toyota with a visibility share of 2.1%, reflecting a positive sentiment likely tied to perceived reliability and value in automotive features. Its focus on user experience and accessibility in this sector is evident compared to other brands like LG at 0.8%.

grok
grok

Grok leans towards Apple with a dominant 3.1% visibility share, indicating a positive tone tied to innovation and ecosystem advantages over Toyota at 1.8%. However, Toyota’s presence suggests a balanced view of value in practical features for automotive users.

chatgpt
chatgpt

ChatGPT prioritizes Subaru and Mazda equally at 3.1% visibility share, reflecting a positive tone towards their value and features in automotive utility over Toyota at just 0.8%. This suggests a focus on adoption patterns and community sentiment for alternative brands.

perplexity
perplexity

Perplexity favors Honda slightly at 2.6% visibility share, with Toyota and Lexus tied at 2.3%, indicating a positive sentiment towards Toyota’s value through reliability and premium features. The focus on automotive brands suggests an emphasis on user experience in this domain.

"Which is better for outdoor and adventure lifestyle?"

Garmin emerges as the leading brand for an outdoor and adventure lifestyle across most models due to its consistent high visibility and association with essential navigation and fitness tracking technology.

deepseek
deepseek

Deepseek favors Salomon and Garmin with the highest visibility shares at 2.1% each, likely due to their strong association with outdoor gear and navigation tools critical for adventure lifestyles. Its sentiment tone is neutral, focusing on a broad range of specialized outdoor brands like Petzl and Deuter without strong bias.

gemini
gemini

Gemini leans toward Garmin and Apple, both at 1.6% visibility share, emphasizing tech-driven solutions for outdoor navigation and connectivity, which are vital for adventure enthusiasts. The sentiment tone is neutral, balancing between adventure-specific gear and vehicle brands like Jeep and Toyota without clear prioritization.

grok
grok

Grok strongly favors The North Face and Patagonia, both at 2.9% visibility share, likely due to their reputation for durable outdoor apparel, alongside Garmin and Salomon at 2.6% for tech and gear. Its sentiment tone is positive, reflecting a clear preference for well-known adventure lifestyle brands.

perplexity
perplexity

Perplexity highlights Patagonia at 2.1% visibility share, favoring it for its strong outdoor apparel ecosystem and sustainability ethos, which resonate with adventure lifestyles. The sentiment tone is neutral, with a mix of apparel and vehicle brands like Subaru, showing no dominant focus.

chatgpt
chatgpt

ChatGPT prioritizes Garmin at 2.6% visibility share, likely for its widely adopted navigation and fitness tracking devices essential for outdoor activities, alongside Apple at 2.1% for complementary tech. The sentiment tone is positive, emphasizing accessible, user-friendly tech solutions for adventurers.

"Which has better safety ratings and features?"

Toyota and Subaru emerge as the leading brands for safety ratings and features across most AI models, driven by consistent visibility and association with safety-focused discussions.

chatgpt
chatgpt

ChatGPT shows a balanced focus on safety rating organizations like NHTSA (3.1%) and IIHS (3.1%), with Subaru and Mazda (both 2.1%) as notable car brands; its neutral tone suggests an emphasis on credible safety data over brand preference.

perplexity
perplexity

Perplexity favors Toyota and Honda (both 2.3%) alongside safety authorities like NHTSA and IIHS (2.3% each), reflecting a positive tone that links these brands to reliable safety features and ratings.

deepseek
deepseek

Deepseek highlights Toyota, Tesla, Volvo, and Subaru (all 2.6%) as safety leaders, with a positive tone indicating strong trust in their safety innovations and ratings supported by alignment with NHTSA and IIHS (2.6% each).

gemini
gemini

Gemini prioritizes Toyota and Honda (both 2.9%) alongside Subaru (2.3%), showing a positive tone that ties these brands to superior safety features, reinforced by references to NHTSA and IIHS (2.1% each).

grok
grok

Grok emphasizes NHTSA and IIHS (3.1% each) as key safety benchmarks while favoring Toyota (2.3%) and Honda (2.1%), with a neutral-to-positive tone that underscores their association with trusted safety ratings.

google
google

Google’s data is irrelevant to safety ratings or features, focusing on unrelated financial and informational entities with a neutral tone, offering no insight into automotive safety perceptions.

"Which Japanese brand has better AWD systems?"

Subaru emerges as the leading Japanese brand for AWD systems across the models, driven by consistent high visibility and implied technical reputation in diverse terrains.

gemini
gemini

Gemini favors Subaru and Toyota equally with a 3.1% visibility share each, likely due to their strong reputation for reliable AWD systems in varied conditions. Its tone is neutral, focusing on visibility without explicit sentiment.

deepseek
deepseek

Deepseek leans toward Subaru, Toyota, and Honda with a 2.9% visibility share each, suggesting a balanced view of their AWD capabilities with an emphasis on market presence. The tone is neutral, reflecting data-driven equity.

chatgpt
chatgpt

ChatGPT strongly favors Subaru with a 10.1% visibility share, likely due to its long-standing association with symmetrical AWD and off-road performance. The tone is positive, highlighting Subaru’s dominance in this context.

perplexity
perplexity

Perplexity prioritizes Subaru with a 2.9% visibility share, possibly for its innovative AWD technology and user trust in challenging environments. The tone is slightly positive, indicating a preference rooted in technical perception.

grok
grok

Grok shows equal preference for Subaru, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda at 2.9% visibility share each, suggesting a focus on widespread adoption of AWD systems across these brands. The tone is neutral, emphasizing broad market representation.

"Which has more fun and engaging driving dynamics?"

Porsche and Mazda emerge as the leaders in fun and engaging driving dynamics across most AI models due to their consistently high visibility shares and implied focus on performance-oriented design.

grok
grok

Grok favors Mazda with the highest visibility share at 5.7%, suggesting a strong perception of engaging driving dynamics, followed closely by Porsche at 5.2%. Its tone is positive, emphasizing performance-focused brands over utilitarian ones.

chatgpt
chatgpt

ChatGPT leans toward Mazda with a 4.9% visibility share, indicating a perception of fun driving dynamics, while Porsche lags at 2.3%. The sentiment tone is neutral, with balanced visibility across mainstream and sporty brands.

perplexity
perplexity

Perplexity strongly favors Porsche with a leading 6.8% visibility share, highlighting its superior driving engagement, followed by BMW at 4.9%. Its tone is positive, focusing on premium and performance-driven brands.

gemini
gemini

Gemini favors Mazda at 4.9% and places Porsche close behind at 4.2%, suggesting both are recognized for spirited driving dynamics. The tone is positive, with an emphasis on accessible performance over luxury.

deepseek
deepseek

Deepseek prioritizes Mazda at 5.7% visibility share, closely followed by Toyota at 5.2% and Porsche at 4.7%, reflecting a perception of engaging dynamics across diverse brand types. Its tone is neutral, balancing sportiness with practicality.

google
google

Google provides no meaningful insight into driving dynamics, with irrelevant data and a negligible visibility share of 0.3% for automotive brands like Volkswagen. Its tone is neutral and largely disconnected from the question.

FAQs

Key insights into your brand's market position, AI coverage, and topic leadership.

Why do Subaru head gaskets always fail?

Subaru's 2.5L boxer engines (1996-2012 Legacy, Outback, Forester, Impreza) have notorious head gasket failures at 80K-120K miles costing $2K-4K to replace. Symptoms: coolant leaks, oil leaks, overheating, white smoke. Root cause: poor gasket material and boxer engine's horizontal design creates uneven clamping pressure. Subaru 'fixed' issue in 2013+ models with multi-layer steel gaskets, but problems persist in older vehicles. Head gasket failure is expected maintenance item for pre-2013 Subarus—budget $2K-3K around 100K miles. Newer models (2013+) improved but not eliminated issue entirely.

Are Mazda rust problems really that bad?

Yes, especially 2010-2016 Mazda3/6 models have catastrophic rust issues in salt belt states. Common rust locations: rear subframe, fender arches, rocker panels, door bottoms. Mazda's cheap rust protection and poor drainage design cause frames to rust through by 100K-150K miles, failing safety inspections. Class-action lawsuits forced Mazda to extend rust warranty to 7 years unlimited miles, but damage done to brand reputation. 2017+ models improved rust protection significantly. However, used Mazdas in northern climates are rust traps—inspect thoroughly before buying. Mazda's rust issues cost resale value and safety.

Which is more reliable: Mazda or Subaru?

Mazda slightly edges Subaru now. Consumer Reports: Mazda ranks 7th, Subaru 13th in reliability. Mazda improved significantly since 2017 after addressing rust issues. Subaru's issues: head gaskets (older models), CVT transmission problems (2010-2018), oil consumption, suspension rust. Mazda's issues: rust (older models), touchscreen failures, minor electrical gremlins. Modern Mazdas (2017+) are very reliable. Modern Subarus decent but CVT concerns remain. Overall: Mazda more reliable now, but Subaru's AWD capability and safety features compensate for slightly lower reliability. Neither matches Toyota/Honda reliability but both solid choices.

Is Subaru's AWD better than Mazda's?

Yes, significantly. Subaru's symmetrical AWD is full-time (always engaged) and superior in snow/off-road. All Subarus come standard with AWD—built into platform. Mazda's i-Activ AWD is optional, reactive (kicks in when slip detected), and FWD-biased. Subaru's AWD is legendary for bad weather capability—Outback/Forester dominate snowy regions. Mazda's AWD is competent but not Subaru-level. If you need serious AWD for snow/off-road: buy Subaru. If you want occasional AWD for light winter: Mazda adequate. Subaru's AWD justifies head gasket risk for drivers in harsh climates. Mazda's AWD is nice-to-have, not game-changer.

Should you buy Mazda or Subaru?

Mazda if you prioritize: driving fun, style, reliability, and don't need serious AWD. Subaru if you need: best AWD capability, safety features, and accept head gasket/CVT risks. Mazda3/CX-5 offer sharper handling and more premium feel. Subaru Outback/Forester offer utility, AWD, and practicality. Avoid: pre-2013 Subarus (head gaskets), 2010-2016 Mazdas in rust belt (rust), Subaru CVT models (transmission issues). Best choices: Mazda CX-5/Mazda3 (2017+) or Subaru Forester/Outback (2020+) with extended warranty. Both brands are good but not great—consider Toyota RAV4 (better reliability) or Honda CR-V (more space) as alternatives.

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