Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 BMW X5

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-9 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 X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the X5.

Both the CX-9 and the X5 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-9 is safer than the BMW X5:

	CX-9	X5
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	26%	34%
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	112 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	107/424 lbs.	636/584 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	337	342
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Stress	183 lbs.	220 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	376/375 lbs.	527/418 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-9 is safer than the BMW X5:

	CX-9	X5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	130 lbs.
Hip Force	195 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	582 lbs.	584 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	249	308
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	553 lbs.	796 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-9 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X5 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Warranty

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-9 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X5 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-9’s warranty.

Reliability

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better fuel mileage than the X5 M50i (20 city/26 hwy vs. 16 city/22 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-9 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X5 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-9 higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X5 (3). This means the CX-9 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-9 stops shorter than the X5:

	CX-9	X5
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the X5 xDrive40i pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the X5 xDrive40i (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-9’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the X5’s (38.8 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (8.8 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Mazda CX-9 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 850 pounds less than the BMW X5.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CX-9 Signature is quieter than the X5 xDrive40i (37 vs. 39 dB).

Passenger Space

The CX-9 has 1.2 inches more front legroom and 2 inches more rear legroom than the X5.

The front step up height for the CX-9 is 1.2 inches lower than the X5 (18.3” vs. 19.5”). The CX-9’s rear step up height is 1.2 inches lower than the X5’s (18.8” vs. 20”).

Cargo Capacity

The CX-9’s cargo area is larger than the X5’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-9	X5
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	21.5”/50.5”/84.9”	n.a./40.7”/70”
Max Width	57.2”	49”
Min Width	40.2”	44”
Height	30.3”	31.5”

The CX-9’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Towing

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the CX-9 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-9 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X5.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the CX-9 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-9 will cost $1330 to $4385 less than the X5 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-9 is less expensive to operate than the X5 because it costs $264 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-9 than the X5, including $1534 less for a muffler, $141 less for front brake pads, $405 less for a starter, $319 less for fuel injection, $59 less for a fuel pump, $258 less for front struts, $732 less for a timing belt/chain and $1394 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-9 will be $20808 to $30715 less than for the BMW X5.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-9 and the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.