Compare the2027 Honda CR-V VS 2026 Mazda CX-5

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-5’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Compared to metal, the CR-V’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-5 has a metal gas tank.

Both the CR-V and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.

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.

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 2026 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 14th.

The CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (190 vs. 187) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CR-V Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 17 more horsepower (204 vs. 187) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (247 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V is faster than the Mazda CX-5:

	CR-V turbo 4 cyl.	CR-V Hybrid	CX-5
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	7.4 sec	8.8 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	14 sec	13.3 sec	15.3 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4.1 sec	3.8 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	15.9 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.2 MPH	86 MPH	83.1 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
CR-V
	FWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/36 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/34 hwy
		TrailSport 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/31 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the CR-V Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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-5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The CR-V stops much shorter than the CX-5:

	CR-V	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	182 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the CX-5 (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17).

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-5 S Premium Plus pulls only .80 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-5 S Premium Plus (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 S/Select (8.2 vs. 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 up to about 400 pounds less than the Mazda CX-5.

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-5 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-5 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-5 S Premium Plus:

	CR-V	CX-5
Full-Throttle	72 dB	77 dB

The CR-V has .3 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-5 with its rear seat up (39.3 vs. 33.7 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (76.5 vs. 66.5 cubic feet).

The CR-V’s cargo area is larger than the CX-5’s in almost every dimension:

	CR-V	CX-5
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.6”/74.7”	39.1”/75”
Max Width	58”	57.5”
Min Width	41.5”	41.3”
Height	36.5”	33.9”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The CX-5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The CR-V uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Both the CR-V and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CR-V has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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-5 Premium.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda CR-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium offers wireless charging.

The CR-V is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 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 57.6% resale value of the 2026 Mazda CX-5 after five years, which can save the Honda’s owner.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2026 issue and they ranked the Honda CR-V EX-L AWD first. They ranked the Mazda CX-5 S Premium Plus third.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Mazda CX-5 by almost three to one during 2025.