Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Kia Niro

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 Niro doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The CX-5 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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 Niro 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.

Both the CX-5 and the Niro 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 and available driver alert monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 536 to 785 pounds more than the Kia Niro. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Niro has not been tested, yet.

The CX-5’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Niro runs out after 100,000 miles.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 3 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (187 vs. 139) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 117 more horsepower (256 vs. 139) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Kia Niro:

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

Both the CX-5 and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The CX-5 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The CX-5 has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (15.3 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better traction, the CX-5 has larger tires than the Niro (225/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

The CX-5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 Niro doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CX-5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Niro’s (61% to 39%). This gives the CX-5 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (7.6 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Niro (7.9 vs. 6.3 inches).

The CX-5 has 1.9 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room and 2.3 inches more rear hip room than the Niro.

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

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (30 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

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

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

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 Niro’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The CX-5 has a standard Advanced Keyless Entry and Start that 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. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

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 Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CX-5’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

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

The CX-5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Niro EX/SX. 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 Niro.

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

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Kia Niro by over four to one during 2023.