Compare the2026 Honda CR-VVS 2026 Mazda CX-50

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-50’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CR-V’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the CR-V and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Mazda CX-50:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Mazda CX-50:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CR-V’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Honda CR-V’s reliability 14 points higher than the CX-50.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 6th.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda CR-V 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda CX-50 (base engine):

As tested in Car and Driver the CR-V Hybrid is faster than the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the CX-50:

Regardless of its engine, the CR-V’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available Hybrid). Mazda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid.

The CR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda CR-V higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (4 to 6). This means the CR-V produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

The CR-V stops much shorter than the CX-50:

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the CX-50 (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17).

For superior ride and handling, the Honda CR-V has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CR-V flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-50 (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred (8.2 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Honda CR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 250 pounds less than the Mazda CX-50.

The front grille of the CR-V uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-50 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-50 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid is quieter than the CX-50:

The CR-V has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-50 (106 vs. 100.3).

The CR-V has .9 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear hip room and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-50 with its rear seat up (39.3 vs. 31.4 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (76.5 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

The CR-V’s cargo area is larger than the CX-50’s in almost every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The CX-50 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CR-V Sport Touring’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 10th.

The CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda CR-V’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-50 Premium/Turbo.

The CR-V is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Honda CR-V retains 61.29% to 65.48% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 56.52% resale value of the 2026 Mazda CX-50 after five years, which can save the Honda’s owner.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its October 2025 issue and they ranked the Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid first. They ranked the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus third.

The CR-V was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “5Best Trucks/10Best” for 2025 and 5 more times in the last 25 years. The CX-50 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Mazda CX-50 by almost four to one during 2025.