Hyundai Tucson vs Mazda CX-5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs 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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 1 Oct 2026
Hyundai Tucson
From $39,350
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
115kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
539L
Mazda CX-5
From $39,990
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
132kW
7.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
466L
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Tucson starts from $39,350 before on-road costs, while the Mazda CX-5 opens at $39,990. That makes the Hyundai Tucson the more affordable entry point by $640.
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 $43,285 and $43,989 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mazda CX-5 by roughly $1,000 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the Hyundai Tucson and 90% for the Mazda CX-5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Mazda CX-5, against 4 on the Hyundai Tucson.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Tucson features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Mazda CX-5 gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Tucson uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Mazda CX-5 responds with a Petrol making 132kW and 242Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds.
The Mazda CX-5 has the clear power advantage at 132kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Tucson measures 4,640mm long on a 2,755mm wheelbase, 50mm shorter than the Mazda CX-5 at 4,690mm (2,815mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 539L in the Hyundai Tucson and 466L in the Mazda CX-5, giving the Hyundai Tucson a 73L advantage.
For towing, the Mazda CX-5 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 150kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.8m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m 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 $2,309/year for the Hyundai Tucson and $2,109/year for the Mazda CX-5. That is a $200 annual difference in favour of the Mazda CX-5.
Warranty: 5 years (Hyundai Tucson) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Tucson if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda CX-5 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mazda CX-5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (67 vs 60), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Mazda CX-5 ahead by 16), technology (Mazda CX-5 ahead by 13), fuel economy (Mazda CX-5 ahead by 6). The Mazda CX-5 will save you roughly $200 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Tucson 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, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5?
The Hyundai Tucson is the cheapest at $39,350 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda CX-5 by $640.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda CX-5 uses the least fuel at 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Tucson has the largest boot at 539L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda CX-5 makes the most power at 132kW.
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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
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