Honda and Mazda have long been in a tug of war to grab the larger share of the auto market. Inspired by the remarkable response generated by the Honda CR-V, Mazda finally overhauled its contender in the compact SUV segment, the CX-5, which was last upgraded in 2017. While both the cars now offer great safety and fuel efficiency, have premium cabins, and deliver impressive ride quality, the debate as to which one is better is far from settled. That’s why in this blog post, we draw an unbiased comparison between the two on key parameters. Read on.
Ride and Handling
Mazda cars are known for excellent handling and the CX-5 is no exception to the trend. That said, the Honda CR-V is also not a lightweight contender. While the CX-5 offers exceptional agility and drives almost like a small car, the CR-V makes up for that with its exhilarating driving experience. In addition, although the CR-V’s handling is not as great as the CX-5’s, it delivers a more comfortable ride and is more responsive on the corners.
Powertrain and Fuel Economy
The latest edition of the CX-5 comes with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of delivering up to 187 horsepower, with a fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The CR-V, on the other hand, comes with a 190 horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder powertrain capable of delivering up to 190 horsepower, returning an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in city conditions, and about 34 mpg on the highway.
Reliability and Safety
As stated earlier, both the cars score highly on the safety parameter and have earned a 5-star Overall Safety rating from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). In addition, the CR-V was also awarded the 2022 Top Safety Pick accolade by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), whereas the Mazda CX-5 earned the IIHS’ highest honor, the Top Safety Pick+. When it comes to safety features, however, the 2022 CX-5 is somewhat better equipped.
The Verdict
While both the cars are great contenders in the compact SUV category, the CR-V is more practical and family-friendly, whereas the CX-5 tips the scale in its favor when it comes to overall performance. If you are looking to buy a car without having to pay top dollar, you have come to the right place. Ranked among the leaders in the industry, AutoBidMaster gives you access to a large inventory of clean and salvage vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, and more, all going at exceptionally low prices. Register with us to start participating in our public auto auctions. If you have any questions about our salvage auto auctions or any of the salvage vehicles featured in our inventory, please call: +1 (503) 298-4300, Monday through Friday, 04:00 AM to 04:00 PM (Pacific Time).
