Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Acura ADX

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 “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Acura ADX, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

The CX-5 has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The ADX 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.

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

Both the CX-5 and ADX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the CX-5 has Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The ADX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-5 and the ADX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-5 is safer than the ADX:

	CX-5	ADX
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the ADX:

	CX-5	ADX
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	101
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	781 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	97
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.77 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1182 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 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, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The ADX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 88 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 29th.

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 179) than the ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Acura ADX:

	CX-5	ADX
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	8.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.6 sec	24 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.4 sec	9.3 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.9 sec	4.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.5 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.9 sec

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ADX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-5 higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura ADX (5). This means the CX-5 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ADX every 15,000 miles.

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

	CX-5	ADX
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.3 inches

The CX-5 stops shorter than the ADX:

	CX-5	ADX
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the ADX (110.7 inches vs. 104.5 inches).

The CX-5 S Premium Plus handles at .83 G’s, while the ADX A-Spec AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 S/Select has a greater minimum ground clearance than the ADX (8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the ADX (8.2 vs. 7.3 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the CX-5 S Premium Plus is quieter than the ADX A-Spec AWD (77 vs. 78 dB).

The CX-5 has 9.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ADX (106.5 vs. 97.3).

The CX-5 has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 5 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the ADX.

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

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the ADX with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the ADX with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

The CX-5 has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The ADX has no towing capacity.

The CX-5 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the ADX (1058 vs. 850 lbs.).

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The ADX 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 ADX’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the ADX A-Spec’s 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 ADX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium Plus has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The ADX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

Compared to the Acura ADX, the Mazda CX-5 Preferred/Premium eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to the Acura ADX’s traditional radio, the Mazda CX-5 Premium equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

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

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Acura ADX by almost seven to one during 2025.