When shopping for a compact SUV, the 2023 Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are two standout options that deserve serious consideration. Each vehicle offers its own unique blend of style, comfort, and performance, making them highly popular choices among buyers.
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of each model, providing insights to help you make an informed decision about which one is the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 have distinct exterior designs, each appealing to different tastes. The Honda CR-V features a modern, angular design with sharp lines and an aggressive front fascia. The LED headlights and taillights add a touch of sophistication, while the available 19-inch alloy wheels give the vehicle a commanding presence on the road.
On the other hand, the Mazda CX-5 sports a more elegant and fluid design language, known as the Kodo design philosophy. The sleek lines, sculpted body, and signature LED headlights create a premium look, making the CX-5 stand out in a crowded market.
Interior Design
Inside, the Honda CR-V offers a clean and functional design, with high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces throughout the cabin. The dashboard is well-organized, and the infotainment system features a 7-inch touchscreen display, which is intuitive and user-friendly.
The Mazda CX-5, however, takes a more luxurious approach to its interior design. With the use of upscale materials like Nappa leather and real wood accents, the CX-5 creates a refined atmosphere. The layout is driver-focused, with a larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen and easy-to-reach controls.
Seating
Both the 2023 Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 offer comfortable seating for up to five passengers. In the CR-V, occupants enjoy ample headroom and legroom in both rows, while the seats provide excellent support for long drives. The rear seats can recline and slide, allowing passengers to customize their seating position.
The Mazda CX-5 also offers a comfortable seating experience, but with a focus on luxury. The seats are plush and supportive, with available heating and ventilation features for added comfort. However, the rear legroom is slightly less generous than in the CR-V, which may be a consideration for taller passengers.
Storage
When it comes to storage, the Honda CR-V is the clear winner. With 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a maximum of 75.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, the CR-V is a practical choice for families or those who need plenty of storage. The low load floor and wide opening make loading and unloading a breeze.
The Mazda CX-5, while offering a respectable 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, falls short in comparison to the CR-V. It’s still a practical choice, but those who prioritize cargo capacity may prefer the Honda.
Performance
The Honda CR-V comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain provides a smooth and responsive driving experience, with ample power for most driving situations. The optional all-wheel-drive system enhances traction and stability in various conditions.
The Mazda CX-5 offers a choice between two engines: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with up to 250 horsepower, depending on the fuel type.
The naturally aspirated engine delivers a balanced performance, while the turbocharged option offers a more engaging driving experience. Both engines are paired with a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is available as an option.
Fuel Efficiency
When it comes to fuel efficiency, both the 2023 Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 perform admirably. The CR-V boasts an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive model, while the all-wheel-drive version returns slightly lower figures at 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
The Mazda CX-5, with its base 2.5-liter engine and front-wheel drive, achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The turbocharged engine, however, is slightly less fuel-efficient at 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive model, and 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for the all-wheel-drive variant.
Safety
Both the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 have a strong focus on safety, with advanced driver assistance systems available across their respective lineups. The CR-V comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
The Mazda CX-5 also offers a comprehensive suite of safety features, called i-Activsense. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking, among others. Both vehicles have received high safety ratings from organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Trim Levels
The Honda CR-V is available in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each trim offers a progressively more extensive list of features, with higher trims including options like leather upholstery, a power liftgate, and a premium audio system.
The Mazda CX-5 comes in five trim levels: Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature. Like the CR-V, each trim offers a more extensive list of features, with top trims adding amenities like a head-up display, premium audio system, and a 360-degree camera system.
Pricing
The base price for the 2023 Honda CR-V starts at around $26,000 for the LX trim and goes up to around $35,000 for the range-topping Touring trim. All-wheel drive is available as an option for an additional cost of approximately $1,500.
The Mazda CX-5 has a starting price of around $26,000 for the Sport trim, while the range-topping Signature trim starts at around $38,000. All-wheel drive is also available as an option on all trims, with a similar price increase as in the CR-V.
Key Differences
While the 2023 Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 share many similarities, there are several key differences that set them apart. Here, we will highlight the most notable distinctions between the two compact SUVs to help potential buyers identify which vehicle is best suited to their needs.
Interior Design:
The CR-V’s interior design is clean and functional, with user-friendly features and high-quality materials. The CX-5, on the other hand, offers a more luxurious cabin, with upscale materials like Nappa leather and real wood accents.
Cargo Space:
The Honda CR-V provides more cargo space than the Mazda CX-5, with 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.8 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. The CX-5 offers a smaller 30.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.
Trim Levels:
The Honda CR-V is available in four trim levels (LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring), while the Mazda CX-5 offers five trim levels (Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature). This provides a broader range of options and configurations for the CX-5.
Pricing:
Both vehicles have similar starting prices, but the range-topping Mazda CX-5 Signature trim is priced slightly higher than the Honda CR-V Touring trim. This can be attributed to the more premium features and materials found in the CX-5.
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, both the 2023 Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are strong contenders in the compact SUV segment, each offering a compelling mix of features and attributes. The CR-V stands out for its practicality and fuel efficiency, while the CX-5 boasts a more engaging driving experience and luxurious interior. Your decision between the two will depend on your personal preferences, priorities, and budget. By considering the key differences outlined in this comparison, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the compact SUV that best suits your needs and delivers the driving experience you desire.
Features Breakdown
Honda CR-V Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Modern, angular design
- Sharp lines and aggressive front fascia
- LED headlights and taillights
- Available 19-inch alloy wheels
- Interior Design:
- Clean and functional layout
- High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- User-friendly controls
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for up to five passengers
- Ample headroom and legroom in both rows
- Reclining and sliding rear seats
- Storage:
- 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
- 75.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded
- Low load floor and wide opening
- Performance:
- 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque
- Optional all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (FWD)
- EPA-estimated 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway (AWD)
- Safety:
- Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems
- High safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA
- Trim Levels:
- LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring
- Pricing:
- Starting price of around $26,000 (LX)
- Range-topping price of around $35,000 (Touring)
- Optional all-wheel drive for approximately $1,500
Mazda CX-5 Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Elegant, fluid design
- Sleek lines and sculpted body
- Signature LED headlights
- Kodo design philosophy
- Interior Design:
- Luxurious, driver-focused layout
- Upscale materials like Nappa leather and real wood accents
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Easy-to-reach controls
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for up to five passengers
- Plush and supportive seats
- Available heating and ventilation features
- Storage:
- 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
- 59.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower)
- Optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine (up to 250 horsepower)
- Smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission
- Optional all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (base engine, FWD)
- EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (turbocharged engine, FWD)
- EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (turbocharged engine, AWD)
- Safety:
- i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems
- High safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA
- Trim Levels:
- Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature
- Pricing:
- Starting price of around $26,000 (Sport)
- Range-topping price of around $38,000 (Signature)
- Optional all-wheel drive for approximately $1,500
