Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2021 Mazda CX-5

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Outlander Sport and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, front 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, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-path warning.

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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

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

The Outlander Sport comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander Sport 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-5 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-5’s (7 vs. 5 years).

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Outlander Sport has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-5’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander Sport second among small suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The CX-5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander Sport gets better mileage than the CX-5:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-5 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Outlander Sport AWD’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CX-5 FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outlander Sport FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 AWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 15.3 gallons).

The Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport stops much shorter than the CX-5:

The Outlander Sport SE 4WD handles at .80 G’s, while the CX-5 Signature AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander Sport’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the CX-5’s (34.8 feet vs. 36 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 (8.5 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Outlander Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Mazda CX-5.

The Outlander Sport is 7.2 inches shorter than the CX-5, making the Outlander Sport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Outlander Sport has .6 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

The Outlander Sport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Grand Touring/Signature.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Outlander Sport is less expensive to operate than the CX-5 because typical repairs cost less on the Outlander Sport than the CX-5, including $15 less for a muffler.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport will be $191 to $4048 less than for the Mazda CX-5.