Mazda CX-5 vs Hyundai Tucson
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Mazda CX-5 starts from $39,990 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Tucson opens at $38,900. That makes the Hyundai Tucson the more affordable entry point by $1,090.
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 $43,989 and $42,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mazda CX-5 by roughly $1,000 in fuel alone.
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 Mazda CX-5 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Tucson gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Mazda CX-5 uses a Petrol producing 132kW and 242Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.7 seconds.
The Hyundai Tucson responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The Mazda CX-5 has the clear power advantage at 132kW vs 115kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mazda CX-5 is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda CX-5 measures 4,690mm long on a 2,815mm wheelbase, 50mm longer than the Hyundai Tucson at 4,640mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 438L in the Mazda CX-5 and 539L in the Hyundai Tucson, giving the Hyundai Tucson a 101L 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 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,109/year for the Mazda CX-5 and $2,309/year for the Hyundai Tucson. That is a $200 annual difference in favour of the Mazda CX-5.
Estimated annual total: $2,109 (Mazda CX-5) vs $2,309 (Hyundai Tucson). The Mazda CX-5 saves you roughly $200 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-5) vs 5 years (Hyundai Tucson). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
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.
The Verdict
The Mazda CX-5 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. 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, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson?
The Hyundai Tucson is the cheapest at $38,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda CX-5 by $1,090.
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 — Hyundai Tucson 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.
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. The Mazda CX-5 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.7s.
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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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