Compare the2024 BMW X3VS 2024 Mazda CX-5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-5 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Compared to metal, the X3’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-5 has a metal gas tank.

Both the X3 and the CX-5 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 all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	X3	CX-5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	21%	23%
Neck Stress	202 lbs.	274 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	160/307 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	139 lbs.	205 lbs.
Neck Compression	72 lbs.	86 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	183/114 lbs.	449/262 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 BMW X3 is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	X3	CX-5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	81
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	133	208
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	281	449

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

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The CX-5 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

The X3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-5’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-5.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mazda.

Engine

The X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 61 more horsepower (248 vs. 187) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 185) than the CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 126 more horsepower (382 vs. 256) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 320) than the CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda CX-5:

	X3	CX-5 4 cyl.	CX-5 turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	8.7 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	16.7 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.5 MPH	78.3 MPH	90.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the X3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-5 Turbo doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The X3 has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 (17.2 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

The X3 M40i’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CX-5 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	X3	X3 M40i	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.5 inches	11.9 inches	11.9 inches

The X3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-5 are solid, not vented.

The X3 stops much shorter than the CX-5:

	X3	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the CX-5 (245/50R19 vs. 225/65R17). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 225/65R17).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5’s standard 65 series tires. The X3’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-5. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CX-5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X3 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the CX-5 (112.8 inches vs. 106.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-5.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the CX-5’s (57% to 43%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the CX-5 Turbo Signature pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the CX-5 (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 (8 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo (8 vs. 7.9 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X3 has 1 inch more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 59.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X3. The CX-5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X3’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-5’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The X3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-5. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 10% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the X3 and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X3 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the X3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the CX-5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X3’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Premium/Turbo.

When the X3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The CX-5’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X3’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The X3 has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo.

Both the X3 and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X3 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X3 and the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.