2025 Mazda CX-5 Vs. Hyundai Tucson: Which Is Better?
We're often told life is about the journey, not the destination – but between the Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson, which compact SUV will make your journey more enjoyable? Both vehicles have much to offer, including robust performance, advanced driver assistance features, and user-friendly technology. They are both compact enough to be maneuverable, too, but they ultimately have different priorities, which the team at McGee Mazda Claremont details below.
2025 Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson at a Glance
- Both the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Tucson make 187 horsepower with their standard engines, but the Mazda CX-5 can make up to 256 horsepower with its alternate powertrain.
- The Mazda CX-5 comes with standard i-Activ AWD®, while the Hyundai Tucson has standard FWD and available HTRAC AWD.
- The Hyundai Tucson is longer, but the Mazda CX-5 has a tighter turning circle.
- The Hyundai Tucson has slightly more legroom than the Mazda CX-5, but the Mazda model offers more hip room.
- Despite being similarly priced, the Mazda model has an arguably more luxurious cabin.
Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson Specs & Performance
While both SUVs can offer enthusiastic performance with their standard 187-horsepower, four-cylinder engines, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 also has an available turbocharged option. This powertrain can make 227 horsepower with standard fuel or 256 horsepower with premium gas, allowing you to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.1 In comparison, it takes the Hyundai Tucson 8.8 seconds to reach the same speed,2 putting the Mazda CX-5 firmly in the lead.
Still, we understand that saving those seconds isn't everyone's priority. Fuel efficiency often is, though. In this matter, the Mazda CX-5 also excels with its standard engine and i-Activ AWD®. It can achieve up to an EPA-estimated 26/30 MPG (City/Highway).3 The standard engine in a 2025 Hyundai Tucson, when combined with AWD, delivers up to an EPA-estimated 24/30 MPG (City/Highway).4
Both vehicles have a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.
| 2025 MAZDA CX-5 | 2025 Hyundai Tucson | |
 |  | |
| Engine | 2.5L Inline 4-cyl |
| 187 or 227-256 | Horsepower | 187 |
| 185-186 or 310-320 lb-ft | Torque | 178 lb-ft |
| i-ACTIV AWD® | Drivetrain | FWD or HTRAC AWD |
| Skyactiv®-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission w/ manual shift and Sport mode | Transmission | 8-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC |
| 15.3 gal | Fuel Capacity | 14.3 gal |
| 26 / 303 | EPA-Est. MPG (Cty / Hwy) w/ AWD | 24 / 304 |
| 5 | Seating Capacity | 5 |
| 3,679-3,871 lbs | Curb Weight | 3,429-3,801 lbs |
| 65.4-65.6 in | Height | 65.6 (FWD) / 66.3 (AWD) |
| 180.1 in | Length | 182.7 in |
| 72.6 in | Width w/o Mirrors | 73.4 in |
| 29.1 cu ft | Standard Cargo Space | 38.7 cu ft |
| New Mazda CX-5 for Sale | Used Hyundai Vehicles |
Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson Size & Dimensions
The Mazda CX-5 is smaller than the Hyundai Tucson. This has both advantages and disadvantages. While its cargo volume is smaller, drivers will have a better time negotiating the Mazda CX-5 through tight traffic or grabbing a tricky parking spot in the city. It has a tighter turning circle of 36 feet (compared to the Hyundai model's 38.6 feet), making U-turns easier.
Meanwhile, the internal dimensions for passengers are very similar in both SUVs. The Hyundai Tucson offers those in the front seat 41.4 inches of legroom, while the Mazda CX-5 has a near-identical 41 inches. Hip room is greater in the Mazda CX-5 across both rows:
- Mazda CX-5 hip room: 55.2 inches in the front / 55.4 inches in the back
- Hyundai Tucson hip room: 54.5 inches in the front / 53.9 inches in the back
Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson Interior & Technology
Both models offer a nice spread of trims, so you can choose an SUV with enhancements that will make a genuine difference in your day and avoid paying for those you aren't invested in. The 2025 Mazda CX-5 trim lineup is as follows:
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 S
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 S SELECT
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 S PREFERRED
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 S CARBON EDITION
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 S PREMIUM PLUS
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 CARBON TURBO
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 TURBO PREMIUM
- MAZDA CX-5 2.5 TURBO SIGNATURE
Feel free to ask us about our currently running Mazda CX-5 lease deals on any of these trims.
The 2025 Hyundai Tucson has the following trim levels:
- Hyundai Tucson SE
- Hyundai Tucson SEL
- Hyundai Tucson SEL Convenience
- Hyundai Tucson XRT
- Hyundai Tucson Limited
Straight off the bat, the Mazda CX-5 gives you more options. The Mazda SUV comes standard with a 4.6-inch Multi-Information Display with Trip computer, a leather-wrapped gear selector, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth seats.
Like the entry-level Mazda CX-5, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson SE also comes with cloth seats, though a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a leather shift knob aren't available until you go up two levels. It also has a slightly smaller 4.2-inch instrument cluster. Given the similarity of the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 MSRPs, this comparison category seems like a solid win for the Mazda model.
Mid-level trims of the Mazda CX-5 add features like a moonroof to create a more welcoming ambiance for you and your passengers, heated and ventilated front seats with three-level adjustment, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and a Bose® 10-speaker surround sound system.
The top-level Hyundai Tucson trim shares many of these perks, but they're slightly altered. For example, its ventilated front seats do not come with three-level adjustment, so they're less customizable than the Mazda CX-5 seats. The Tucson Limited has leather-trimmed seats but not the Caturra Brown Nappa leather of the Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature. It has a Bose® premium sound system with eight speakers instead of 10.
Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson Reliability
It takes many hard-earned dollars to buy a new car, and you want to know that the vehicle you pick will return the favor by going the extra mile (or miles). Both the 2025 Mazda CX-5 and the 2025 Hyundai Tucson are dependable vehicles with "Great" Quality & Reliability scores from J.D. Power.5
Of course, maintenance is important for keeping any vehicle in optimal shape. You can enroll in a prepaid maintenance plan when you purchase a Mazda vehicle, which lets you lock in competitive prices for oil and oil filter changes, tire rotations, and multipoint inspections.
Last but not least, the new Mazda CX-5 for sale is designed with safety in mind. In addition to offering standard i-Activ AWD® for better traction on rain-slick highways, icy roads, and uneven terrain, this SUV comes packed with driver assistance features to reduce the risk of anything happening to your SUV or your loved ones inside it. For instance, it comes standard with the following:
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-Keep Assist
- Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System
- A Rearview Monitor
The Hyundai Tucson offers a Blind-Spot View Monitor, but only on its uppermost trim.
On the other hand, high-end versions of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 give you greater reassurance with a 360-Degree View Monitor, Driver Attention Alert, and Traffic Jam Assist. You can even get a windshield-projected Active Driving Display from the 2.5 S Premium Plus trim onward. This feature allows you to receive important information, like navigation instructions, without turning your head to view a monitor.
Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson Price
As previously mentioned, both vehicles are comparably priced. The trim and packages you select will play a role in the final cost, as do state and local taxes. We encourage you to call the team at McGee Mazda Claremont so we can give you a no-obligation quote that reflects all of the relevant factors, including your down payment.
The goal of this discussion is not to make pricing more complicated but to make sure you get as transparent an answer as possible. If you contact us for pricing info, we can also suggest alternatives that may save you money. For example, we have a high-quality selection of used Hyundai vehicles and pre-owned Mazda rides that you can check out.
Ride Off Into the Sunset in a Mazda CX-5
Having thoroughly compared the Mazda CX-5 vs. Hyundai Tucson, we think the Mazda CX-5 has more to offer. That said, we understand if seeing is believing – in fact, we would be thrilled to have you stop by McGee Mazda Claremont to tour and test-drive this SUV for yourself.
Seeing the sleek design, feeling the welcoming warmth of the heated front seats, and trying out the intuitive driver assistance features will only help you fall more in love with this ride. We are also happy to help you compare this SUV to other models or answer any other questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025 Hyundai Tucson vs. 2025 Mazda CX-5
Is the Mazda CX-5 more powerful than the Hyundai Tucson?
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is more powerful than the 2025 Hyundai Tucson. While the Hyundai model has only one engine option, the Mazda crossover has an available turbocharged powertrain that can make up to 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque with regular gasoline and 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque when you fill it up with premium fuel.
Which SUV has a better reputation for driving comfort and noise reduction?
Mazda CX-5 automakers worked hard to craft a "quiet zone" that reduces this vehicle's ambient noises by addressing vibration, harshness, and general sounds. For example, they paid attention to the crossover's headline, which used to vibrate slightly. As a result, you'll get a quiet cabin experience that lets you enjoy the available premium sound system even more. Driving comfort is also a priority in this SUV.
Which is faster: the Mazda CX-5 or the Hyundai Tucson?
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 can accelerate faster than the 2025 Hyundai Tucson. With its available 256-horsepower turbocharged powertrain, you can go from zero to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds,1 which is helpful for highway merging. All Hyundai Tucson trims rely on a 187-horsepower engine that takes 8.8 seconds to complete this same task.2
Which has the better interior: the Mazda CX-5 or the Hyundai Tucson?
We find the standard and available features in the Mazda CX-5 to be superior to those in the Hyundai Tucson. For example, only the top-tier Hyundai Tucson Limited trim has leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. Meanwhile, you can enjoy leather seating and ventilation with three-level adjustment in most trims of the Mazda CX-5. To see this interior for yourself, stop by our dealership.
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1This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/cx-5
2This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.caranddriver.com/hyundai/tucson
3EPA-estimated mileage. Actual results will vary.
4All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.
5Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/
