Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 BMW X3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-5 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the X3.

Both the CX-5 and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the BMW X3:

	CX-5	X3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	102
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	64 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	156	176
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	38%

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

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 Mazda CX-5 is safer than the BMW X3:

	CX-5	X3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	153 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	275 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	524 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	624 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X3 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 54 percent more Mazda dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-5’s reliability 11 points higher than the X3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

Engine

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 8 more horsepower (256 vs. 248) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	CX-5	X3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.6 MPH	91.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the X3:

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy
X3
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy

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 X3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The X3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-5 stops shorter than the X3:

	CX-5	X3
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the X3’s (36 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Chassis

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 550 pounds less than the BMW X3.

The CX-5 is 5.8 inches shorter than the X3, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CX-5 is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive:

	CX-5	X3
At idle	38 dB	40 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	80 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 2.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (103.6 vs. 101.4).

The CX-5 has .7 inches more front legroom and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the X3.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the X3 with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 28.7 cubic feet).

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-5	X3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	38”	36.5”/69”
Max Width	57”	47”
Min Width	41.3”	43.3”
Height	32.4”	30.1”

Ergonomics

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-5 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the X3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-5 will cost $540 to $3885 less than the X3 over a five-year period.

The CX-5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-5 will retain 50.99% to 51.37% of its original price after five years, while the X3 only retains 49.78% to 50.55%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-5 is less expensive to operate than the X3 because it costs $536 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-5 than the X3, including $644 less for a water pump, $731 less for a muffler, $94 less for front brake pads, $362 less for a starter, $194 less for fuel injection, $272 less for a fuel pump, $294 less for front struts, $692 less for a timing belt/chain and $1094 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-5 will be $16605 to $16997 less than for the BMW X3.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the BMW X3 by over two to one during 2022.