2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Mazda CX-5

The right compact SUV is a fantastic choice when you want a vehicle that gets you around town each day in style and comfort, without taking over your life. As you consider different options, it is a good idea to focus on one or two at a time to see what they have to offer, comparing their features and how well they meet your needs.

Looking at the 2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Mazda CX-5, we see that Honda gives you a lot more terrific features and options to enjoy as you drive each day. For starters, Mazda has just one engine available, while Honda gives you two different powertrains to choose from with the CR-V; what’s more, both of Honda’s engines deliver greater horsepower than what Mazda offers. 
When you look inside these two vehicles, you will find that the Honda CR-V also offers much more room for everything you need to take with you each day than the CX-5, making it incredibly functional despite its compact design. We think that Mazda makes fine vehicles, but the CX-5 simply cannot compete with everything you can get from the Honda CR-V.

It is tempting to think that engines and performance only matter with something like a sports car or powerful truck, but that is just not the case. You deserve to have a terrific driving experience in any vehicle you choose, including small SUVs that might be better known for their practicality.

Whether you are heading to and from work each day, picking up your kids after school, or getting together with friends on the weekend, you should have a vehicle that feels good on the road and responds beautifully as you drive. Honda understands this and offers two impressive engines, leaving the Mazda CX-5 and its single engine behind as you consider your options.

Starting with Mazda, since that is the simpler place to focus, the 2026 CX-5 comes with a SKYACTIV®-G 2.5L I-4 engine that offers 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is fine if not particularly remarkable. The result is a small SUV that is enjoyable on the road, though we wish it had a more responsive transmission to match that performance.

One nice thing we should mention about the CX-5 is that it can handle up to 1,500 lbs of towing, making it quite functional. Of course, Honda gives you that same level of towing potential, so this is not a complete win for Mazda’s compact SUV.

With the 2026 Honda CR-V, you get a standard 1.5L turbocharged I-4 engine that delivers 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). You can see that this is quite comparable to Mazda’s engine, though it has a bit more horsepower, and we prefer the responsiveness of the CVT.

Where the CR-V truly shines is with its available 2.0L hybrid engine that delivers 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. This is a massive boost in performance, especially in terms of torque, giving you a small SUV that feels amazing as you drive each day, ensuring you enjoy every moment you spend behind the wheel.

Although we feel performance is a great place to start when looking at any vehicle, we know that fuel efficiency is an even bigger consideration for many drivers. This is understandable since it has a direct impact on your overall experience with your vehicle, and it can affect your budget for as long as you own and drive a car.

If you want the functionality of an SUV along with great gas mileage, then a compact model is a terrific choice since these vehicles are often designed with impressive efficiency in mind. While the Mazda CX-5 is no slouch when it comes to good gas mileage, it cannot keep up with what Honda delivers, especially the CR-V’s available hybrid.

Since the CX-5 only has one engine available, it is easy to get a sense of its gas mileage. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 gets an estimated 24 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on the highway, and 26 MPG of combined fuel economy. That is pretty good, in general, but certainly not revolutionary.

Going with the 2026 Honda CR-V and its standard engine, you get an EPA-estimated 28 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and 30 MPG of combined fuel efficiency.^[b] You can see that this already gives the CR-V the lead here, so even if you are not interested in the available hybrid engine, you get more horsepower and much better gas mileage with Honda’s compact SUV.

Of course, if you are interested in the hybrid engine, then you not only get superior performance (as we saw above) but also far better gas mileage. The hybrid engine gives the 2026 Honda CR-V an estimated 43 MPG in the city, 36 MPG on the highway, and 40 MPG of combined fuel efficiency.^[b]

Keep in mind that these estimates are for Honda models with standard front-wheel drive; opting for all-wheel drive will cost you a little in gas mileage, but Honda still has higher estimated efficiency than the Mazda CX-5. So you can get around each day, take care of everything you need to do, and make fewer stops for gas with the Honda CR-V.

When shopping for a vehicle, it is always worth taking some time to look inside to see the kinds of interior features that you will enjoy while driving. Flashy details like big displays and impressive sound systems can be a lot of fun, but you also want plenty of room for your passengers and everything you need to bring along with you each day.

Since these are both compact SUVs, you might expect them to have pretty identical interiors, but there are actually some significant differences between them (especially when it comes to cargo space).

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 offers good passenger space, with 39.7 inches of front headroom. With 41.7 inches of legroom up front and 39.9 inches of legroom in the back, the CX-5 is a small SUV that is quite accommodating for up to five passengers.

We find similar space inside the Honda CR-V, with 40 inches of front headroom and 41.3 inches of front legroom, plus 38 inches of rear headroom and 41 inches of rear legroom. The major difference between these two vehicles is the cargo space they offer: the Mazda CX-5 has just 33.7 cu.ft. of rear cargo space, whereas the Honda CR-V offers 39.3 cu.ft. of cargo room in the back.

You can see there is already a big difference, and you get a lot more space in the CR-V's rear cargo area to take advantage of. The CR-V gives you 76.5 cu.ft. of total cargo room behind the front seats, while the Mazda CX-5 has just 66.5 cu.ft. of total cargo space inside.

That is a massive difference and can have a huge impact on how much stuff you can load into your vehicle. Whether you are packing bags for a road trip, fitting groceries in while running errands, or loading up with sports equipment for your kids, the Honda CR-V is clearly a better choice for ensuring that you have room for everything you need.

When seen as just two compact SUVs, it is easy to assume that their performance, gas mileage, and interior room must be pretty comparable. As you start looking at these details, however, a clear picture emerges of how much better the Honda CR-V can meet your needs in a variety of ways.

The Mazda CX-5 is a fine SUV, but it simply falls short of the CR-V in so many areas that it makes the Honda model a superior choice for many drivers. This kind of design, engineering, and other terrific features are a big part of why we love offering the full Honda lineup to all of our customers. 
Here at Ralph Honda, we focus on getting to know you and understanding what you need so that we can help you find the perfect vehicle. Whether you already know the CR-V is the right compact SUV for you, or you are still considering other options, we will work closely with you to make sure you drive away in something you love. Stop by today and let us show you what the latest CR-V has to offer.

^[a] MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, destination charge, and accessories. MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details. 

^[b] 28 city/33 highway/30 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 27 city/31 highway/29 combined mpg rating for AWD trims. 43 city/36 highway/40 combined mpg rating for 2WD hybrid trim. 40 city/34 highway/37 combined mpg rating for AWD hybrid trim. 38 city/33 highway/35 combined mpg rating for TrailSport Hybrid AWD trim.Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition (hybrid trims) and other factors.