Mazda CX-5 vs Honda CR-V: which one fits you?
The short answer
Pick the CR-V if you want more cargo room, a hybrid option and better fuel economy; otherwise the CX-5 is close on the published specs. The Mazda CX-5 starts lower, at $29,990 against $30,920, before destination. Behind the back seats it's 33.7 cubic feet in the CX-5 and 39.3 in the CR-V.
Our read: Pick the CR-V if you want more cargo room, a hybrid option and better fuel economy; otherwise the CX-5 is close on the published specs.
| What you get | Mazda CX-5 Public record | Honda CR-V Public record |
|---|---|---|
| Price range (MSRP) | $29,990–$38,990 | $30,920–$42,250 |
| Cargo, seats up / down | 33.7 / 66.5 cu ft | 39.3 / 76.5 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 7.8–8.2 in |
| All-wheel / four-wheel drive | Standard: on-demand all-wheel drive (i-Activ AWD) | Optional: on-demand all-wheel drive (Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System) |
| EPA combined fuel economy | 26 mpg | 29–40 mpg |
| What owners report (My MPG) | Too few owner reports yet | Too few owner reports yet |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb |
| NHTSA recalls, 2024–26 models | None found | 6 campaigns |
Which one fits more of your stuff
With the back seats up, the Honda CR-V gives you 39.3 cubic feet against 33.7 in the Mazda CX-5, about 17% more for groceries, strollers and suitcases.
Fold the seats and the Honda CR-V holds 76.5 cubic feet to the Mazda CX-5's 66.5.
What the all-wheel drive actually does
The Mazda CX-5 comes with on-demand all-wheel drive, which Mazda calls i-Activ AWD on every version. All-wheel drive comes on every 2026 CX-5.
The Honda CR-V comes with on-demand all-wheel drive, which Honda calls Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System, as an option. Optional on most trims and standard on the TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid; it drives mainly through the front wheels and brings in the rear wheels when it needs more traction.
How each handles rough roads and deep snow
Ground clearance is close: 8 in for the Mazda CX-5 and 7.8–8.2 in for the Honda CR-V. Neither has a real advantage on rough roads.
Honda CR-V: 7.8 in on 2WD, 8.2 in on AWD (unladen). TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid are AWD-only, so 8.2 in.
Engines, hybrids and what they change
The Mazda CX-5 comes with 2.5L 4-cyl (187 hp). The Honda CR-V comes with 1.5L turbo 4-cyl (190 hp); 2.0L two-motor hybrid (204 hp total).
Only the Honda CR-V offers a hybrid. If most of your driving is in town, that's where a hybrid saves the most fuel; on long highway runs the gap with the Mazda CX-5 narrows.
Fuel: the EPA number and what owners really get
On the EPA's combined rating the Mazda CX-5 gets 26 mpg and the Honda CR-V gets 29–40 mpg, depending on engine and drivetrain. The higher end of each range is usually the hybrid or front-drive version.
What each one costs before you negotiate
By the window sticker, the Mazda CX-5 runs $29,990–$38,990 and the Honda CR-V runs $30,920–$42,250, before the destination charge.
So the Mazda CX-5 starts $930 lower. Compare like for like, though: line up the trims that have the features you want, then ask for the out-the-door price on those.
Reliability: what we can and can't tell you
We couldn't find a free, independent reliability signal for either the Mazda CX-5 or the Honda CR-V that we could verify, so we won't guess one: any reliability estimate here would be ours, not a measurement.
Recalls are facts, not scores: NHTSA lists none found for the Mazda CX-5 and 6 campaigns for the Honda CR-V for the last three model years. Recall repairs are free; check a car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What to know before you test-drive
Mazda CX-5: The 2026 CX-5 is an all-new third generation, and the only engine is the 2.5L non-turbo. The turbo from the previous generation was not found in the 2026 lineup.
Honda CR-V: For 2026 the CR-V gets a new TrailSport Hybrid trim, a larger touchscreen and wireless charging on every trim. Prices exclude the $1,395 destination charge; with it, the range is $32,315 to $43,645.
Questions people ask
Is the CX-5 or the CR-V bigger inside?
With the back seats up, the Honda CR-V gives you 39.3 cubic feet against 33.7 in the Mazda CX-5, about 17% more for groceries, strollers and suitcases. Fold the seats and the Honda CR-V holds 76.5 cubic feet to the Mazda CX-5's 66.5.
Does the CX-5 or the CR-V have better all-wheel drive?
The Mazda CX-5 comes with on-demand all-wheel drive, which Mazda calls i-Activ AWD on every version. All-wheel drive comes on every 2026 CX-5. The Honda CR-V comes with on-demand all-wheel drive, which Honda calls Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System, as an option. Optional on most trims and standard on the TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid; it drives mainly through the front wheels and brings in the rear wheels when it needs more traction.
Which gets better gas mileage, the CX-5 or the CR-V?
On the EPA's combined rating the Mazda CX-5 gets 26 mpg and the Honda CR-V gets 29–40 mpg, depending on engine and drivetrain. The higher end of each range is usually the hybrid or front-drive version.
How much more is the CR-V than the CX-5?
By the window sticker, the Mazda CX-5 runs $29,990–$38,990 and the Honda CR-V runs $30,920–$42,250, before the destination charge. So the Mazda CX-5 starts $930 lower. Compare like for like, though: line up the trims that have the features you want, then ask for the out-the-door price on those.
Sources
- EPA fuel economy ratings and owner-reported MPG (fueleconomy.gov), U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. Checked October 18, 2026. Public record
- NHTSA recalls database, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Checked October 18, 2026. Public record
- Mazda USA Newsroom: Pricing and Packaging for All-New 2026 CX-5 (Jan 13, 2026). Checked October 18, 2026. Public record
- Honda News: 2026 CR-V lineup and pricing (May 20, 2025). Checked October 18, 2026. Public record
- Kelley Blue Book: 2026 Mazda CX-5. Checked October 18, 2026. Public record
- Honda Info Center: 2026 CR-V specifications. Checked October 18, 2026. Public record
Labels tell you how much to lean on a figure: Public record comes from a government or manufacturer source, Estimate is worked out and can move, Keel data is aggregated from many listings, and Dealer says is a dealer's own claim.