Mazda CX-5 vs Suzuki S-Cross

The Mazda CX-5 starts from $39,990 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki S-Cross opens at $43,490. That makes the Mazda CX-5 the more affordable entry point by $3,500.

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 $47,839 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki S-Cross by roughly $2,135 in fuel alone.

ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.

The Mazda CX-5 features a 12.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Suzuki S-Cross gets a 9-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mazda CX-5 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Suzuki S-Cross. The Suzuki S-Cross counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mazda CX-5 gets cloth upholstery while the Suzuki S-Cross offers synthetic leather.

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 Suzuki S-Cross responds with a Petrol making 103kW and 220Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.

The Mazda CX-5 has the clear power advantage at 132kW vs 103kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mazda CX-5 is 1.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The Mazda CX-5 measures 4,690mm long on a 2,815mm wheelbase, 385mm longer than the Suzuki S-Cross at 4,305mm (2,600mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-5 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 466L in the Mazda CX-5 and 430L in the Suzuki S-Cross, giving the Mazda CX-5 a 36L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1594L vs 1230L.

For towing, the Mazda CX-5 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg 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 $1,682/year for the Suzuki S-Cross. That is a $427 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki S-Cross.

Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-5) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki S-Cross). The Mazda CX-5 has longer coverage.