Compare the2023 Mazda CX-5VS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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

Safety

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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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Outlander Sport only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Outlander Sport SE/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Outlander Sport SE/GT offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The CX-5 has standard E911 Automatic Emergency Notification, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the CX-5 and the Outlander Sport 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 and rearview cameras.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 432 to 604 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	CX-5	Outlander Sport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	82	208
Neck Injury Risk	23%	29%
Neck Stress	274 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	90 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	160/307 lbs.	334/511 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	251
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	43%
Neck Stress	205 lbs.	221 lbs.
Neck Compression	86 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	449/262 lbs.	394/494 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Outlander Sport:

	CX-5	Outlander Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	1 cm	1 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	24 cm	28 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.7/.3 kN	3.43/.93 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.55/.4	.68/.36

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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	CX-5	Outlander Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	163
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	163 lbs.
Hip Force	189 lbs.	518 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	208	349
Hip Force	524 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	17 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	435 lbs.	807 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 Outlander Sport is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

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

There are over 67 percent more Mazda dealers than there are Mitsubishi 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 21 points higher than the Outlander Sport.

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 Mitsubishi vehicles. With 46 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Mitsubishi.

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 Mitsubishi 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, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

Engine

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (187 vs. 148) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 145) than the Outlander Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 19 more horsepower (187 vs. 168) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 88 more horsepower (256 vs. 168) and 153 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl. is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	CX-5	Outlander Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	9.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.6 sec	32 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.4 sec	10.2 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	17.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	79 MPH
Top Speed	124 MPH	113 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Outlander Sport
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-5 Turbo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Outlander Sport:

	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo	Outlander Sport
Front Rotors	11.7 inches	12.6 inches	11.6 inches

The CX-5 stops much shorter than the Outlander Sport:

	CX-5	Outlander Sport
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	133 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-5 has larger tires than the Outlander Sport (225/65R17 vs. 215/70R16).

The CX-5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander Sport S’ standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Outlander Sport S. The CX-5 Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Outlander Sport (106.2 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander Sport.

The CX-5 handles at .82 G’s, while the Outlander Sport SE 4WD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Outlander Sport SE 4WD (27.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 6.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander Sport (103.6 vs. 97.5).

The CX-5 has .3 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and 3.7 inches more rear hip room than the Outlander Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Outlander Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat up (30.8 vs. 21.7 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 49.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The CX-5 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Outlander Sport has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer memory seats.

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Outlander Sport has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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 Outlander Sport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Outlander Sport’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The CX-5’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport’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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-5 offers optional extendable sun visors. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the CX-5 and the Outlander Sport offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Outlander Sport.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the CX-5 and the Outlander Sport offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the CX-5 has a standard Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-5 Turbo has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 $870 to $3345 less than the Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport only retains 47.78% to 49.36%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-5 is less expensive to operate than the Outlander Sport because it costs $82 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-5 than the Outlander Sport, including $296 less for a water pump, $10 less for front brake pads, $130 less for a starter, $1 less for fuel injection, $375 less for a fuel pump, $51 less for front struts, $126 less for a timing belt/chain and $551 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by over 9 to one during 2022.