Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mitsubishi Outlander has not been tested.

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 Outlander 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 Outlander.

Both the CX-5 and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-5 has Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-5 and the Outlander 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-5 is much safer than the Outlander:

	CX-5	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	90/112 pounds	202/247 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	90/112 pounds	202/247 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Outlander:

	CX-5	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	171
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.46 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	781 lbs.	1071 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	132
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	.87 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Outlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

The CX-5’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 81 percent more Mazda dealers than there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

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 Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 95 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 30th.

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (187 vs. 174) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	CX-5	Outlander
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	8.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.6 sec	26.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.4 sec	9.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.9 sec	4.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.5 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	83 MPH

The CX-5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the Outlander (110.7 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the CX-5 S Premium Plus is quieter than the Outlander SEL AWC (67 vs. 69 dB).

The CX-5 has 1.2 inches more front hip room and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the Outlander.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 10.9 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 64.3 cubic feet).

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 Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the CX-5’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Outlander’s power window and power lock 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 Outlander ES’ standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-5 retains 57.6% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.85% resale value of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $2964 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over three to one during 2025.