Mazda CX-5 vs. CX-50: A Comprehensive Comparison

If you’re in the market for a stylish, upscale small SUV, two of the best in the class are from Mazda with the CX-5 and CX-50. Both vehicles offer athletic styling, powerful performance, agile handling, and spacious cabins. You can find the 2025 Mazda CX-5 and CX-50 at our John Kennedy Mazda Conshohocken dealership in Pennsylvania, but how do you know which model is for you?

In this guide, we comprehensively compare these two excellent compact SUVs to help you make the purchasing decision.

Trim Levels

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 and CX-50 are offered in a wide range of trim levels to suit every need and budget. Choose the CX-5 in 2.5 S, S Select, S Preferred, S Carbon Edition, S Premium Plus, Carbon Turbo, Turbo Premium, or Turbo Signature. With the CX-50, you can opt for S Select, S Preferred, S Premium, S Premium Plus, Turbo Meridian Edition, Turbo Premium, or Turbo Premium Plus.

Exterior Design

The CX-5 and CX-50 feature sleek, elegant exterior styling inspired by Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy, the soul of motion. From the eye-catching grille through the exquisitely sculpted profile to the sporty rear, the CX-5 and CX-50 create the impression of movement even when standing still.

The CX-5 has clean, refined lines and sits tall on the road for a clear view. The CX-50 features a more rugged appearance thanks to black lower fascias, fender flares, and window trim. It’s longer and wider than the CX-5 and has more ground clearance, which adds to its off-road capability.

Standard exterior features for the CX-5 include LED headlights with high beam control, daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, power mirrors with LED turn signals, a rear roof spoiler, and dual bright exhaust outlets. Moving up the trims offers features such as adaptive headlights, LED signature lighting, LED daytime running lights, auto-folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, a power liftgate, and LED combination taillights. The CX-50 offers similar features with the addition of an available windshield wiper de-icer.

Performance

A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, powering most CX-5 and CX-50 trims. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Sport mode. Turbo models feature a turbocharged version of the same engine. With regular fuel, it develops 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Using 93-octane gas increases the output to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft. The CX-50 will soon be available with a 219-horsepower hybrid powertrain.

Every CX-5 and CX-50 comes standard with the i-Activ all-wheel-drive system. The CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus and up feature Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Sport and Off-Road modes. With the CX-5, you can tow up to 2,000 pounds. All CX-50 models feature Mi-Drive with Sport and Off-Road modes, while Turbo variants add Towing mode and offer a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

When equipped with the base engine, the CX-5 rewards you with up to 26 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The turbo engine returns up to 22 and 27 mpg for city and highway driving. The CX-50 delivers up to 25 and 31 mpg with the base engine and 23 and 29 mpg with the turbo.

Interior Features and Comfort

Mazda vehicles are renowned for their sophisticated and comfortable cabins; these small SUVs are no exception. They surround you with upscale materials and fine Japanese craftsmanship. The sculpted seats feature generous bolstering that keeps you supported during cornering.

With a full passenger load, the CX-5 has a 30 cubic-foot cargo area, while folding down the 40/20/40-split rear seats gives you an adjustable cargo floor with up to 59.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The CX-50 offers 31.4 cubic feet with 60/40 split rear seats in place and 56.3 cubic feet with folded seats.

The base CX-5 model offers advanced keyless entry, push-button start, stylish cloth seating, a tilting and telescoping steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, an electronic parking brake, LED lighting, and a 4.6-inch multi-information display.

Higher-spec trims offer synthetic or genuine leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch LCD instrument panel, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, a power moonroof, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.

With the base CX-50 S Select trim, you get similar features along with half-leatherette-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 7-inch digital instrument display. Added to the available features are a panoramic moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and traffic sign recognition.

Infotainment

For 2025, the CX-5 and CX-50 feature an infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, voice command, and Bluetooth capability. The base CX-5 has a 4-speaker audio system, while higher trims have a six-speaker or premium Bose 10-speaker sound system. The CX-50 has either an eight-speaker or 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The CX-5 and CX-50 come standard with the i-Activesense suite of safety technologies. It includes radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure alert, lane-keep assist, and rear seat alert.

Available features include a 360-degree monitor, front and rear parking sensors, automatic reverse braking, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention alert. As standard, the CX-50 features a vehicle exit warning, a driver attention alert, and an emergency lane keeping with road keep assist. Additional available features include cruising and traffic support and a front cross-traffic warning.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or CX-50 the Small SUV for You?

The 2025 CX-5 and CX-50 are similar in many ways but offer different driving experience. Both are ideal for the daily commute, while the CX-5’s smaller dimensions make it easy to maneuver around town. If your weekend adventures take you off the beaten path, you might choose the off-road capable CX-50.

Here at John Kennedy Mazda Conshohocken, our sales team is at hand to demonstrate the features of these comfortable, versatile, and capable SUVs. Please browse our extensive inventory online or in person at our dealership, and contact us to schedule a test drive today.

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