Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
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 Santa Fe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the CX-5 and the Santa Fe 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, 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 Hyundai Santa Fe:

	CX-5	Santa Fe
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	296
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	156	244
Neck Compression	86 lbs.	89 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 Hyundai Santa Fe:

	CX-5	Santa Fe
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	164 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	415 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	524 lbs.	736 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	576 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 Santa Fe has not been fully tested, yet.

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 16 points higher than the Santa Fe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. With 5 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Hyundai.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 13th.

Engine

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 181) than the Santa Fe’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 311) than the Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl. is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe 4 cyl.:

	CX-5	Santa Fe
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	10 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.4 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	17.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy
Santa Fe
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/25 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 Santa Fe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Suspension and Handling

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 Santa Fe doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Santa Fe’s (36 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

Chassis

The CX-5 is 8.3 inches shorter than the Santa Fe, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Santa Fe’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Santa Fe SE/XRT/SEL’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 Santa Fe’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 Santa Fe doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Economic Advantages

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-5 will be $838 to $923 less than for the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Santa Fe, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Hyundai Santa Fe by 27% during 2022.