Compare the2022 Mazda CX-5VS 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the CX-5 and the Tucson Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (256 vs. 226) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson Hybrid (15.3 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Tucson Hybrid:

The CX-5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tucson Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The CX-5 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Tucson Hybrid’s (36 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The CX-5 has .7 inches more front hip room and 1.4 inches more rear hip room than the Tucson Hybrid.

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Tucson Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Tucson Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-5 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 4 of the last 5 years. The Tucson Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Hyundai Tucson by 21% during the 2021 model year.