Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 GMC Acadia

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Acadia doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-5 Turbo Signature has standard Smart Brake Support-Rear that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The CX-5 Turbo Signature’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Acadia doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-5 and the Acadia 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, 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 and available around view 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 GMC Acadia:

	CX-5	Acadia
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	285
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	29 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	160/307 lbs.	129/383 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	319
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	43%
Neck Compression	86 lbs.	99 lbs.

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 GMC Acadia:

	CX-5	Acadia
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	125
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	156 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	243 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	208	276
Hip Force	524 lbs.	799 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	36 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	760 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 Acadia last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The CX-5’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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 27 points higher than the Acadia.

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 GMC 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, GMC is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. GMC is ranked 21st.

Engine

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 271) than the Acadia’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy
Acadia
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

Environmental Friendliness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Mazda CX-5 as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The GMC Acadia is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Acadia:

	CX-5	Acadia
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	173 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Acadia’s (36 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

Chassis

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 650 pounds less than the GMC Acadia.

The CX-5 is 1 foot, 1.3 inches shorter than the Acadia, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Acadia with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 12.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Acadia’s liftover is 32 inches.

Towing

The CX-5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Ergonomics

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 Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

The CX-5 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Acadia’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

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 Acadia doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 $485 less than the Acadia 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 Acadia only retains 47.29% to 50.03%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-5 is less expensive to operate than the Acadia because it costs $500 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-5 than the Acadia, including $236 less for a water pump, $152 less for a muffler, $127 less for front brake pads, $189 less for a fuel pump, $776 less for a timing belt/chain and $689 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 $5765 to $7869 less than for the GMC Acadia.

Recommendations

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

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the GMC Acadia by almost three to one during 2022.