Mitsubishi ASX 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.
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Price Breakdown
The Mitsubishi ASX starts from $37,740 before on-road costs, while the Mazda CX-5 opens at $39,990. That makes the Mitsubishi ASX the more affordable entry point by $2,250.
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 $41,514 and $43,989 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mitsubishi ASX by roughly $1,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Mazda CX-5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Mitsubishi ASX. Adult occupant protection scored 76% for the Mitsubishi ASX 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 both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Feature Showdown
The Mitsubishi ASX features a 10.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-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 Mitsubishi ASX uses a Petrol producing 113kW and 270Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.9 seconds.
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 113kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mazda CX-5 is 3.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mitsubishi ASX measures 4,238mm long on a 2,639mm wheelbase, 452mm 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 484L in the Mitsubishi ASX and 466L in the Mazda CX-5, giving the Mitsubishi ASX a 18L advantage.
For towing, the Mazda CX-5 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 600kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m to 11.2m
Based on 11.1m 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 $1,824/year for the Mitsubishi ASX and $2,109/year for the Mazda CX-5. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi ASX.
Warranty: 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi ASX) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-5). The Mitsubishi ASX has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mitsubishi ASX if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda CX-5 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mitsubishi ASX and Mazda CX-5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mitsubishi ASX will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. The Mitsubishi ASX adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mitsubishi ASX and Mazda CX-5?
The Mitsubishi ASX is the cheapest at $37,740 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda CX-5 by $2,250.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mitsubishi ASX uses the least fuel at 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Mazda CX-5 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mitsubishi ASX has the largest boot at 484L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi ASX has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
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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