Honda CR-V vs Mazda MX-5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Honda CR-V & Mazda MX-5
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Honda CR-V starts from $37,000 before on-road costs, while the Mazda MX-5 opens at $41,520. That makes the Honda CR-V the more affordable entry point by $4,520.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $40,700 and $45,672 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Honda CR-V features a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Mazda MX-5 gets a 8.8-inch display.
The Honda CR-V stands out with Apple CarPlay and power tailgate that you will not find on the Mazda MX-5. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Honda CR-V gets leather upholstery while the Mazda MX-5 offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Honda CR-V and 1-zone in the Mazda MX-5.
Drivetrain
The Honda CR-V uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 240Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds.
The Mazda MX-5 lines up making 135kW and 205Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The Honda CR-V has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mazda MX-5 is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Honda CR-V measures 4,704mm long on a 2,701mm wheelbase, 789mm longer than the Mazda MX-5 at 3,915mm (2,310mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda CR-V generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 589L in the Honda CR-V and 130L in the Mazda MX-5, giving the Honda CR-V a 459L advantage. The Honda CR-V seats 5 vs 2.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 12.0m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,024/year for the Honda CR-V and $1,938/year for the Mazda MX-5. That is a $86 annual difference in favour of the Mazda MX-5.
Estimated annual total: $2,024 (Honda CR-V) vs $1,938 (Mazda MX-5). The Mazda MX-5 saves you roughly $86 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda CR-V) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda MX-5). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 5yr (Honda CR-V)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda CR-V if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda MX-5 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Honda CR-V takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Mazda MX-5 will save you roughly $86 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Honda CR-V has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Honda CR-V and Mazda MX-5?
The Honda CR-V is the cheapest at $37,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda MX-5 by $4,520.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda MX-5 uses the least fuel at 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Honda CR-V all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda CR-V has the largest boot at 589L.
Which can tow the most?
The Honda CR-V has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Honda CR-V makes the most power at 140kW. The Mazda MX-5 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.5s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
