Mazda CX-5 vs Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mazda CX-5 starts from $39,990 before on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Outlander opens at $39,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.

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 $43,989 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Mazda CX-5 packs more ADAS features with 5 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 1 in the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Mazda CX-5 and 7 in the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Mazda CX-5 features a 12.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Outlander gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mazda CX-5 lines up 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 Mitsubishi Outlander lines up making 135kW and 244Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has the clear power advantage at 135kW vs 132kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The Mazda CX-5 measures 4,575mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 135mm shorter than the Mitsubishi Outlander at 4,710mm (2,705mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mitsubishi Outlander generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 522L in the Mazda CX-5 and 478L in the Mitsubishi Outlander, giving the Mazda CX-5 a 44L advantage.

For towing, the Mitsubishi Outlander leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,109/year for the Mazda CX-5 and $2,081/year for the Mitsubishi Outlander. That is a $28 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Estimated annual total: $2,109 (Mazda CX-5) vs $2,081 (Mitsubishi Outlander). The Mitsubishi Outlander saves you roughly $28 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 5 years (Mazda CX-5) vs 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Outlander). The Mitsubishi Outlander has longer coverage.