Mazda CX-5 vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the CX-5: 2 comparisons against 1 rival across the 2025–2026 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
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By rival
1 rival · verdicts at default weightsClear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the CX-5 wins and loses
2 scored head-to-headsThe CX-5 leads on safety in 2 of 2; it trails on fuel & range in 2 of 2, performance in 2 of 2. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the CX-5 scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | CX-5 leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 1 of 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel & range | 0 of 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Safety | 2 of 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Space & cargo | 0 of 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | 0 of 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tech & comfort | 1 of 1 | 0 | 0 |
Common questions about the Mazda CX-5 head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the Mazda CX-5 or the Toyota RAV4?
The Mazda CX-5 edges it, 91.1 to 86.7, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and performance. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 5 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Mazda CX-5 comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Toyota RAV4). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the Mazda CX-5 win and lose against its rivals?
The CX-5 leads on safety in 2 of 2; it trails on fuel & range in 2 of 2, performance in 2 of 2. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.