Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Honda CR-V

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 CR-V 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 CR-V.

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 CR-V only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Honda charges extra for Cross Traffic Monitor on the CR-V and its not available on the LX.

Both the CX-5 and the CR-V 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, rearview cameras and available driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CR-V has not been fully tested, yet.

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 Honda 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, Honda is rated below average.

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (185 vs. 179) than the CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (256 vs. 204) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 247) than the CR-V Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl. is faster than the Honda CR-V turbo 4 cyl.:

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 (250 HP engine) is faster than the CR-V Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

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 CR-V doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the CX-5 and the CR-V have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CX-5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The CX-5 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V (15.3 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the CX-5 Turbo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CR-V:

The CX-5 stops shorter than the CR-V:

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 CR-V doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-5 Carbon Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the CR-V’s (36 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

The CX-5 is 4.7 inches shorter than the CR-V, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-5 has .8 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more rear hip room than the CR-V.

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

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

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 CR-V doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 CR-V’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully. The CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring’s .

The CX-5’s standard Advanced Keyless Entry and Start allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CR-V only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the CR-V’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 CR-V doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the CR-V EX/Sport. 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 CR-V.

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 CR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.