Compare the2025 Mazda CX-5VS 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CX-5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Tonale doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 Tonale doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Alfa Romeo Tonale has not been tested.

Both the CX-5 and the Tonale 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, all wheel drive, 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.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the Tonale. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Tonale ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 5 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

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 44 points higher than the Tonale.

The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 295) than the Tonale’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the Tonale running its gasoline engine:

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

The CX-5 has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale 1.3 PHEV’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-5 has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale 2.0T’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Tonale:

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 Tonale; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Tonale (106.2 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Tonale 1.3 PHEV’s (36 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The CX-5’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Tonale 2.0T’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tonale (7.6 vs. 5.6 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 2.3 inches higher than on the Tonale (7.9 vs. 5.6 inches).

The CX-5 has .9 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear hip room than the Tonale.

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

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Tonale with its rear seat up (29.1 vs. 27 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tonale with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

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

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 Tonale only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Tonale isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Alfa Romeo Tonale by over 35 to one during 2024.