Mazda CX 5 vs CX 50

If you walk through a Mazda dealership such as ours, you’ll come across two compact SUVs that may look similar from a distance, but when you get down to the details, they have some big differences. The Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-50 are two highly rated vehicles, but they offer different experiences in terms of powertrains, size, and packages.

To help you determine which of these SUVs is better for you and your driving needs, our team at Sport Mazda South has prepared a quick comparison.

Design and Dimensions

The CX-5 and CX-50 both fit into the compact SUV market. While this means they have similar size in terms of overall width and length, there are some significant differences in their interior dimensions.

The CX-50’s dimensions are:

• Length: 185.8 inches
• Width: 72.9 inches
• Height: 63.5 to 63.9 inches
• Wheelbase: 110.8 inches

The CX-5’s measurements are:

• Length: 180.1 inches
• Width: 72.6 inches
• Height: 65.4 to 65.6 inches
• Wheelbase: 106.2 inches

The Mazda CX-50 sets itself apart from the CX-5 with its lower, wider stance, giving it a slightly sleeker look. The CX-50 has a longer hood, and its exterior design includes larger fender flares in a contrasting color and black trim around the front grille.

If you need to maximize cargo space, the CX-5 has a larger cargo area, with 59.3 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down. With the rear seats up, the cargo area has 29.1 cubic feet of space. The CX-50’s 56.3 cubic feet of storage space with the seats folded down is slightly smaller, but if you have passengers in the back seats, the 31.4 cubic feet behind them is larger than in the CX-5.

Since these are compact SUVs, cabin space is important. The CX-5’s interior dimensions are:

• Front leg room: 41 inches
• Rear head room: 39 inches
• Rear leg room: 39.6 inches

The CX-50’s interior dimensions are:

• Front leg room: 41.7 inches
• Rear head room: 38.6 inches
• Rear leg room: 39.8 inches

Performance and Engine

The Maxda CX-5 and CX-50 share the same engines. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Both SUVs offer an optional 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that puts out 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel.

While they share the same powertrains, they offer different driving and performance experiences because they ride on different platforms. With the turbo engine under the hood, the CX-5 can reach 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, while the CX-50 hits 60 mph in 6.7 seconds.

If you need to tow with your compact Mazda SUV, the CX-50 is the better choice. When equipped with the towing package and the turbo engine, it can pull up to 3,500 pounds. The CX-5, with either engine, is limited to towing up to 2,000 pounds.

The EPA-estimated fuel efficiency for the CX-5 and CX-50 is almost identical. The base engine achieves up to 28 mpg combined, while the turbo engine gets up to 26 mpg combined.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The CX-5 is available in eight trim levels. The breakdown and price for each are:

• 2.5 S:  $28,770
• 2.5 S Select:  $30,100
• 2.5 S Preferred: $31,450
• 2.5 S Carbon Edition:  $32,800
• 2.5 S Premium Plus: $35,400
• 2.5 Carbon Turbo:  $37,200
• 2.5 Turbo Premium:  $38,000
• 2.5 Turbo Signature: $40,800

The CX-50 comes in seven trim levels. The breakdown and pricing for each are:

• 2.5 S Select: $30,500
• 2.5 S Preferred: $31,850
• 2.5 S Premium: $34,200
• 2.5 S Premium Plus: $37,700
• 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition: $41,000
• 2.5 Turbo Premium: $41,500
• 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: $43,500

Technology and Features

The CX-5 and CX-50 come similarly equipped with tech features. The entry-level trims have a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for syncing your phone, and MazdaConnect services.

A few differences worth pointing out include that the entry-level CX-50 Select has an eight-speaker stereo system while the CX-5 starts with a four-speaker stereo. The Select has partial synthetic leather upholstery, while the 2.5 S has cloth upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Stepping up to the CX-50 Premium adds tech features, including a wireless charging pad and a 12-speaker Bose stereo. The CX-5 has synthetic leather upholstery in the Select trim along with heated front seats. The Preferred trim is where you’ll upgrade to leather, and taking another few steps up in the lineup to the Carbon Edition gets you a wireless charging pad.

Safety Features

Both of these compact Mazda SUVs come well equipped with advanced safety and driver-assistance systems. You’ll have features such as forward collision warning, automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure mitigation.

Adaptive cruise control comes standard with both the CX-5 and CX-50, and both models have higher-end trims with adaptive headlights, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

Reliability and Maintenance

The CX-5 and CX-50 receive good reliability ratings from J.D. Power, but the CX-5 is slightly more reliable with a rating of 82 out of 100. The CX-50’s rating is average to good, scoring 72 out of 100.

Typical maintenance costs for the CX-5 are estimated at about $7,698 during the first 10 years of ownership. This is lower than the average for other SUVs in its class. The CX-50 also has lower maintenance costs when compared to the industry average.

The Mazda CX-50 vs. CX-5: Making the Right Choice for You

Now that you have more information about the Mazda CX-5 and the CX-50, you can decide which one is better for you. We can show you both of these compact SUVs when you come to our dealership in Orlando, and we’ll get you out for a test-drive so you can see how each one feels from behind the wheel.

If you have more questions, give us a call. We’re always happy to take the time to answer your questions and make sure you know about all the features, benefits, and equipment you can get with a Mazda.