Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Volvo XC40

The Mazda CX-5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 Volvo XC40 has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the XC40.

Both the CX-5 and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 XC40:

	CX-5	XC40
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	129
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.65 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	781 lbs.	1182 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	387
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	10 MPH
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 XC40 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-5’s reliability 25 points higher than the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Volvo.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 1 place higher in reliability than Volvo.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better fuel mileage than the XC40 T5 (24 city/30 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC40 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-5 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (15.3 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-5 higher (6 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (4). This means the CX-5 produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

The CX-5 stops much shorter than the XC40:

	CX-5	XC40
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	132 feet	Consumer Reports

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the XC40 (110.7 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the XC40’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-5 has 8.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (106.5 vs. 98).

The CX-5 has .7 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 3.8 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the XC40’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	XC40
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	34.9”/65.7”
Max Width	57.5”	41.7”
Min Width	41.3”	39.5”
Height	33.9”	29.4”

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 XC40 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 XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-5 retains 57.6% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 51.74% resale value of the 2026 Volvo XC40 after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $7419 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC40 isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by almost six to one during 2025.