Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Hyundai Kona

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 Kona 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 Kona doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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

Both the CX-5 and the Kona 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.

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 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kona has not been fully tested, yet.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 4 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (187 vs. 147) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (185 vs. 132) than the Kona SE/SEL’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (256 vs. 190) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 195) than the Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Kona N Line/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

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 Kona doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-5 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N Line/Limited’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons).

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

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Kona:

For better traction, the CX-5 has larger tires than the Kona (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kona 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CX-5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CX-5 flat and controlled during cornering. The Kona 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Kona (106.2 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the Kona N Line AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-5 has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona (103.6 vs. 101.2).

The CX-5 has .9 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear hip room than the Kona.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Kona with its rear seat up (30 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

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

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

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kona 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 Kona 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 Kona’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona’s optional power windows, only the front windows 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 Kona’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Kona doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Kona, and aren’t available on the Kona SE. 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 Kona.

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

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Hyundai Kona by almost two to one during 2023.