Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5VS 2025 Audi Q3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CX-5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-5 has a standard Rear Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The CX-5’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-5 and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

Warranty

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 77 percent more Mazda dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Audi vehicles. With 44 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Audi.

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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 112 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

Engine

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (187 vs. 184) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the Q3:

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Q3
	AWD	40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/28 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q3 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 5.2 inches longer than on the Q3 (110.7 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1 inch wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Q3’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 S/Select has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (8 vs. 5.5 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 2.7 inches higher than on the Q3 (8.2 vs. 5.5 inches).

Passenger Space

The CX-5 has 22.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (106.5 vs. 84).

The CX-5 has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Q3’s in every dimension:

	CX-5	Q3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	34”/65”
Max Width	57.5”	54”
Min Width	41.3”	39”
Height	33.9”	28”

Ergonomics

The CX-5 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 Q3 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 Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5 has a standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The Audi Advanced Key costs extra on the Q3.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-5 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-5 Premium Plus’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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 Q3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the CX-5 and the Q3 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 Q3.

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 Q3 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 Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 costs extra on the Q3.

Recommendations

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Audi Q3 by almost six to one during 2025.

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