Matchup
Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-50
The 2026 CX-5 2.5 S Preferred against the 2026 CX-50 2.5 S Meridian Edition, through ten physics labs and every official rating we could find.
Last checked Oct 24, 2026. Every figure links to its source.
The short answer
- The CX-5 stops from 70 mph in 173 ft, 8 ft shorter than the CX-50 (181 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
- Our packing test fits 6 large suitcases in the CX-5 and 4 in the CX-50. Simulatedfrom MazdaSimulatedfrom Mazda
- From the driver’s seat the CX-5’s hood hides the first 22 ft of road; the CX-50’s hides 30 ft. Simulated
- On low beams, the fastest you can drive the CX-50 and still stop inside the lit road is 70 mph; in the CX-5 it’s 58 mph (dry road, 1.5-second reaction). Simulatedfrom IIHSSimulatedfrom IIHS
Who each one suits
The CX-5 is the more practical family car: 6 large suitcases against 4 in our packing test, 8 ft shorter from 70 mph, quieter at 70 mph, and a hood that hides 8 ft less road.
The CX-50 is the one for bad roads and dark ones. It pulls away harder on packed snow in our simulation, tows 500 lb more, and its low beams reach 87 ft farther. Both are IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
At a glance
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price, this trim | $35,845PublishedMazda | $34,745PublishedMazda |
| Powertrain | 2.5 L four-cylinder, direct injection, cylinder deactivation · i-Activ AWD (electronically controlled rear coupling) | 2.5 L four-cylinder, direct injection, cylinder deactivation · i-Activ AWD (electronically controlled rear coupling) |
| 0–60 mph, tested or claimed | 8.0 sTestedCar and Driver | 8.4 sTestedCar and Driver |
| Braking 70–0 mph, tested | 173 ft (52.7 m)TestedCar and Driver | 181 ft (55.2 m)TestedCar and Driver |
| EPA combined | 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA | 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA |
| Cargo behind the second row | 33.7 cu ft (954 L)PublishedMazda | 31.4 cu ft (889 L)PublishedMazda |
| Large suitcases, packed | 6Simulatedfrom Mazda | 4Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Seats | 5PublishedMazda | 5PublishedMazda |
| Crash ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ | NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+ |
Acceleration
The CX-5 gets to 60 mph 0.4 s sooner: 8.0 s against 8.4 s.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 187 hp (139 kW)PublishedMazda | 187 hp (139 kW)PublishedMazda |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft (252 Nm)PublishedMazda | 185 lb-ft (251 Nm)PublishedMazda |
| 0–60 mph, tested or claimed | 8.0 sTestedCar and Driver | 8.4 sTestedCar and Driver |
| 0–60 mph, our simulation | 7.9 sSimulatedfrom Car and Driver | 8.4 sSimulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Passing, 50–70 mph | 5.5 sTestedCar and Driver | 6.0 sTestedCar and Driver |
| Quarter mile | 16.2 sTestedCar and Driver | 16.5 sTestedCar and Driver |
Braking and stopping distance
The CX-5 stops from 70 mph in 173 ft, 8 ft shorter than the CX-50 (181 ft).
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Braking 70–0 mph, tested | 173 ft (52.7 m)TestedCar and Driver | 181 ft (55.2 m)TestedCar and Driver |
| Braking 60–0 mph, tested | no data | 118 ft (36.0 m)TestedMotorTrend |
| Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction | 359 ft (109.4 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver | 369 ft (112.5 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction | 276 ft (84.0 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver | 284 ft (86.4 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction | 166 ft (50.7 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver | 145 ft (44.2 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver |
Rollover
It takes a 12 mph sideways slide into a curb to roll the CX-50; the CX-5 goes over at 11 mph.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA rollover rating | no data | 4★TestedNHTSA |
| Sideways slide that trips it into a roll | 11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA | 12 mph (19 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA |
| Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height) | 1.21Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA | 1.25Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA |
Efficiency and running costs
No meaningful gap between the CX-5 and the CX-50 on what we can measure here.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| EPA combined | 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA | 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA |
| Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year | $2,583/yrDerivedEPA | $2,583/yrDerivedEPA |
| Steady 75 mph, our simulation | 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputsfrom Car and Driver | 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputsfrom Car and Driver |
| Drag coefficient | 0.37DerivedMazda | 0.39DerivedEPA |
Grip, snow and maneuvering
On packed snow the CX-50 can pull away at 0.32 g, against 0.26 g for the CX-5.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Skidpad grip, tested | 0.83 gTestedCar and Driver | 0.80 gTestedCar and Driver |
| Cornering grip, our simulation | 0.83 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver | 0.80 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Pulling away on packed snow | 0.26 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver | 0.32 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Turning circle | 36.8 ft (11.2 m)PublishedMazda | 36.0 ft (11.0 m)PublishedMazda |
| Ground clearance | 8.2 in (21 cm)PublishedMazda | 8.5 in (22 cm)PublishedMazda Canada |
| Tires | Toyo Open Country H/T 225/55R19 99V all-season (as on C/D’s Premium Plus) · 225/55R19TestedCar and Driver | Falken WildPeak Trail 225/60R18 100H all-terrain (3PMS) · 225/60R18TestedCar and Driver |
Space, luggage and fit
Our packing test fits 6 large suitcases in the CX-5 and 4 in the CX-50.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5PublishedMazda | 5PublishedMazda |
| Large suitcases, packed | 6Simulatedfrom Mazda | 4Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Carry-ons in the space left | 0Simulatedfrom Mazda | 2Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Cargo behind the second row | 33.7 cu ft (954 L)PublishedMazda | 31.4 cu ft (889 L)PublishedMazda |
| Cargo, seats folded | 66.5 cu ft (1,883 L)PublishedMazda | 56.3 cu ft (1,594 L)PublishedMazda |
| Towing | 1,500 lb (680 kg)PublishedMazda | 2,000 lb (907 kg)PublishedMazda |
| Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver | +1.0 in (3 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda | +1.3 in (3 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver | +3.4 in (9 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda | +3.6 in (9 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver | +6.3 in (16 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda | +6.3 in (16 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger | +3.4 in (9 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda | +3.8 in (10 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in | +3.7 in (9 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda | +3.3 in (8 cm)Simulatedfrom Mazda |
| Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in | +0.8 in head · −0.6 in kneeSimulatedfrom Mazda | +1.2 in head · −1.0 in kneeSimulatedfrom Mazda |
| Front head room, published | 39.7 in (101 cm)PublishedMazda | 38.6 in (98 cm)PublishedMazda |
| Rear head room, published | 40.2 in (102 cm)PublishedMazda | 37.5 in (95 cm)PublishedMazda |
| Rear leg room, published | 39.9 in (101 cm)PublishedMazda | 39.8 in (101 cm)PublishedMazda |
Cabin noise
At 70 mph the CX-5 is quieter inside: 67 dBA against 70 dBA for the CX-50, a noticeable difference.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin sound at 70 mph | 67 dBAEstimateCar and Driver | 70 dBATestedCar and Driver |
Visibility
From the driver’s seat the CX-5’s hood hides the first 22 ft of road; the CX-50’s hides 30 ft.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver | 22 ft (6.8 m)Simulated | 30 ft (9.0 m)Simulated |
| Ground visible within 33 ft ahead | 37%Simulated | 28%Simulated |
Headlights and night stopping
On low beams, the fastest you can drive the CX-50 and still stop inside the lit road is 70 mph; in the CX-5 it’s 58 mph (dry road, 1.5-second reaction).
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| IIHS headlight rating | AcceptableTestedIIHS | AcceptableTestedIIHS |
| Low beams, straight road (right edge) | 248 ft (75.7 m)TestedIIHS | 335 ft (102.0 m)TestedIIHS |
| Fastest you can stop inside the low beams | 58 mph (94 km/h)Simulatedfrom IIHS | 70 mph (113 km/h)Simulatedfrom IIHS |
| High beams, straight road (right edge) | 498 ft (151.9 m)TestedIIHS | 422 ft (128.7 m)TestedIIHS |
Crash safety
No meaningful gap between the CX-5 and the CX-50 on what we can measure here.
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | no data | 5★TestedNHTSA |
| IIHS small overlap front | GoodTestedIIHS | GoodTestedIIHS |
| IIHS moderate overlap front (updated) | GoodTestedIIHS | GoodTestedIIHS |
| IIHS side (updated) | GoodTestedIIHS | GoodTestedIIHS |
| IIHS award | 2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS | 2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS |
| Curb weight | 3,856 lb (1,749 kg)PublishedMazda | 3,751 lb (1,701 kg)TestedCar and Driver |
Where each one wins
Mazda CX-5
- The CX-5 stops from 70 mph in 173 ft, 8 ft shorter than the CX-50 (181 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
- Our packing test fits 6 large suitcases in the CX-5 and 4 in the CX-50. Simulatedfrom MazdaSimulatedfrom Mazda
- From the driver’s seat the CX-5’s hood hides the first 22 ft of road; the CX-50’s hides 30 ft. Simulated
- At 70 mph the CX-5 is quieter inside: 67 dBA against 70 dBA for the CX-50, a noticeable difference. EstimateCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
- The CX-5 gets to 60 mph 0.4 s sooner: 8.0 s against 8.4 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
- Passing from 50 to 70 mph takes 5.5 s in the CX-5 and 6.0 s in the CX-50. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
- Drivers see 37% of the ground within 33 ft of the CX-5’s nose and 28% in the CX-50. Simulated
- The CX-5 held 0.83 g on the skidpad against 0.80 g for the CX-50. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
Mazda CX-50
- On low beams, the fastest you can drive the CX-50 and still stop inside the lit road is 70 mph; in the CX-5 it’s 58 mph (dry road, 1.5-second reaction). Simulatedfrom IIHSSimulatedfrom IIHS
- IIHS measured the CX-50’s low beams lighting the road 87 ft farther on a straightaway: 335 ft against 248 ft. TestedIIHSTestedIIHS
- On packed snow the CX-50 can pull away at 0.32 g, against 0.26 g for the CX-5. Simulatedfrom Car and DriverSimulatedfrom Car and Driver
- The CX-50 is rated to tow 500 lb more: 2,000 lb against 1,500 lb. PublishedMazdaPublishedMazda
- It takes a 12 mph sideways slide into a curb to roll the CX-50; the CX-5 goes over at 11 mph. Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSASimulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA
Other trims
- CX-5 2.5 S Preferred · on this page
- CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus
- CX-50 2.5 S Meridian Edition · on this page
- CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus
Keep comparing
Sources
- Car and Driver: Tested: 2026 Mazda CX-5 Escalates a Sibling Rivalry (2.5 S Premium Plus, instrumented results) (2026-05)
- Car and Driver: 2026 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition Tested: Mostly for Show with Adequate Go (2.5 S Meridian Edition) (2025-12)
- Mazda USA News: 2026 Mazda CX-5 Spec Deck (engine, gearing, chassis, dimensions, H-points, cargo, weights) (2026-01)
- Mazda USA News: 2026 Mazda CX-50 Spec Deck (engines, gearing, dimensions, interior, cargo, weights, battery) (2025-09)
- IIHS: 2026 Mazda CX-5 ratings (redesigned for 2026) (2026-10)
- IIHS: 2026 Mazda CX-50 ratings (crash tests apply to 2023–26 models) (2026-10)
- Mazda USA: 2026 CX-5 trims and starting MSRP (excludes $1,595 destination) (2026-10)
- Mazda USA: 2026 CX-50 trims and starting MSRP (excludes $1,595 destination) (2026-10)
- US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Mazda CX-5 4WD 2.5 L, Automatic (S6) ratings (id 50290) (2026-10)
- US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Mazda CX-50 4WD 2.5 L, Automatic (S6) ratings (2026-10)
- MotorTrend: 2023 Mazda CX-50 SUV of the Year review (2.5 S AWD and Turbo test results) (2022-10)
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2026 Mazda CX-50 SUV N/A AWD (VehicleId 21114) (2026-10)
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2025 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD, previous generation (VehicleId 20108): 16.9% rollover risk (2026-10)
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2023 Mazda CX-50 SUV AWD (VehicleId 17241): 15.5% rollover risk (2026-10)
- Car and Driver: Mazda CX-5 review (75-mph highway test not yet run on the 2026) (2026-10)
- Car and Driver: 2026 Mazda CX-50 review (2024 Turbo Premium Plus test results, 75-mph highway test) (2026-10)
- Mazda Technical Review No. 42: Aerodynamic Development for All-New CX-5 Adapting Flow Control Technology (Cd −5%, Cd·A −2% vs the previous CX-5) (2026-05)
- US EPA: Data on cars used for testing fuel economy, MY2026 (CX-50 coastdown target coefficients) (2026-01)
- Mazda Canada: 2025 Mazda CX-50 Specifications & Features (track and ground clearance by wheel size) (2024-09)
- IIHS: Four more models take home Top Safety Pick+ awards (Jul 9, 2026) (2026-07)
- IIHS: IIHS pushes improvements in crash avoidance with 2026 awards (Mar 24, 2026) (2026-03)
Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.