Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5VS 2026 Honda HR-V

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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The CX-5 has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The HR-V doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the HR-V.

The CX-5 Premium Plus has a standard 360° Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The HR-V only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The CX-5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the HR-V Sport/EX-L offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-5 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the HR-V Sport/EX-L offers Cross Traffic Monitor and the HR-V’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the CX-5 and the HR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 520 to 697 pounds more than the Honda HR-V. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 12th.

Engine

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (187 vs. 158) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CX-5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The CX-5 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the HR-V (15.3 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-5’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the HR-V:

	CX-5	HR-V
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.3 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-5 has larger tires than the HR-V (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 Preferred/Premium has standard 19-inch wheels. The HR-V’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The CX-5 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The HR-V doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the HR-V (110.7 inches vs. 104.5 inches).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 S/Select has a greater minimum ground clearance than the HR-V LX/EX-L (8 vs. 7 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the HR-V Sport (8.2 vs. 7.3 inches).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 7.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the HR-V (106.5 vs. 98.7).

The CX-5 has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 5 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the HR-V.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The HR-V’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the HR-V with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the HR-V with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the HR-V’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	HR-V
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	34.8”/68.3”
Max Width	57.5”	55.4”
Min Width	41.3”	39.8”
Height	33.9”	32.1”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the CX-5 Premium Plus, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The HR-V doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The CX-5 has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The HR-V has no towing capacity.

The CX-5 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the HR-V (1058 vs. 538 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Premium, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The HR-V doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s standard Entry/Exit Assist glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The HR-V doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The HR-V doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The HR-V’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the HR-V Sport/EX-L’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The CX-5’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The HR-V’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The HR-V’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium Plus has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The HR-V doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the CX-5 Preferred/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The HR-V’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Honda HR-V offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CX-5 offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the HR-V’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the CX-5 and the HR-V offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the HR-V.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The HR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The HR-V doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CX-5 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The HR-V doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The CX-5 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the HR-V EX-L.

Both the CX-5 and the HR-V offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The HR-V doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Honda HR-V, the Mazda CX-5 Preferred/Premium eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Mazda CX-5’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the HR-V EX-L.

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