Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2023 Mazda CX-50

The Outlander Sport has standard Active Front Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Front Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Outlander Sport and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outlander Sport its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2015, a rating granted to only 205 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-50 has not been tested, yet.

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-50’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-50. 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-50 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-50’s (7 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander Sport second among small SUVs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The CX-50 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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-50 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 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-50 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For superior ride and handling, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Outlander Sport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Outlander Sport flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander Sport’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the CX-50’s (34.8 feet vs. 36 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 (8.5 vs. 8.3 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 600 pounds less than the Mazda CX-50.

The Outlander Sport is 1 foot, 1.9 inches shorter than the CX-50, making the Outlander Sport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Outlander Sport has .3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

The Outlander Sport offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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-50 Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

The Outlander Sport is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.