Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Ford Bronco Sport

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 Bronco Sport 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 - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Ford Bronco Sport, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

Both the CX-5 and the Bronco Sport 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, 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, 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 Bronco Sport:

	CX-5	Bronco Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
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 Bronco Sport:

	CX-5	Bronco Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	184
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.42 in
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	781 lbs.	1383 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	142
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.77 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.34 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1093 lbs.
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 Bronco Sport is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CX-5’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 13th.

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (187 vs. 180) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.:

	CX-5	Bronco Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	8.8 sec	9.2 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	15.3 sec	16.5 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4.7 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	83.1 MPH	80.8 MPH

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

			MPG
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	Sasquatch 1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	23 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

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

The CX-5 has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Bronco Sport. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-5 higher (6 out of 10) than the Ford Bronco Sport (5 to 6). This means the CX-5 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bronco Sport every 15,000 miles.

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

	CX-5	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.1 inches

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	CX-5	Bronco Sport
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (110.7 inches vs. 105 inches).

The CX-5 S Premium Plus handles at .83 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-5 S Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

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

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 S/Select has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend (8 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

For excellent aerodynamics, the CX-5 has standard flush composite headlights. The Bronco Sport has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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

The CX-5 has .3 inches more front shoulder room and 3 inches more rear legroom than the Bronco Sport.

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

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 32.5 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 65.2 cubic feet).

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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

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 Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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 Bronco Sport’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Bronco Sport’s optional 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 Bronco Sport’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport’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 Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport.

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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands.

Compared to the Ford Bronco Sport, 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-5 retains 57.6% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.91% resale value of the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $3637 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Ford Bronco Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by 1842 units during 2025.