Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5

The price gap here is real, and it runs the Mazda's way. Check the basis first: Honda quotes drive-away, so the CR-V VTi L AWD is $49,800 on the road (about $45,250 as an estimated RRP). The CX-5 G25 Pure AWD lists at $39,990 before on-road costs, which lands around $44,000 registered in VIC. Level those up and the Mazda is roughly $5,800 cheaper on the road for the same all-wheel-drive layout.

Fuel is a dead heat. Both the all-wheel-drive CR-V and the all-wheel-drive CX-5 are rated at 7.4L/100km combined, about $2,109 per year each at $1.90/L and 15,000km. Whatever decides this comparison, it will not be the fuel bill.

Both come with 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranties, so you're covered equally. Servicing costs are comparable too. Honda's capped-price servicing runs around $250–$400 per visit. Mazda is similar, typically $300–$400. Parts costs are roughly equivalent for both Japanese manufacturers.

Insurance premiums sit in a similar bracket, though the CR-V can sometimes be $100–$200 more per year due to its slightly higher value. Over a 5-year ownership period, the CX-5 will cost approximately $2,500–$3,000 less in total. Not a massive difference, but the CX-5 has the edge on pure cost.

Resale is interesting. Both hold value well in the Australian market. The CX-5 benefits from massive sales volumes, which creates a deep used market and buyer confidence. The CR-V has Honda's reliability reputation propping up its residuals. Expect roughly similar resale percentages after 5 years.

The CR-V carries a 4-star ANCAP rating from 2024, with 88% adult occupant protection, 88% child occupant protection, 76% vulnerable road user and 68% safety assist. The new-generation CX-5 was rated in 2025 and holds 5 stars. Both carry full suites of active safety technology. The CR-V VTi L comes with Honda Sensing, which includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and blind spot monitoring. Honda also adds a driver attention monitor and traffic sign recognition.

The CX-5 G25 Pure gets Mazda's i-Activsense suite with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. Blind spot monitoring is included at this trim level, matching the Honda.

The CR-V has a slight edge in passive safety design. Its taller, wider body creates more crumple zone around the cabin, and the 1,623kg kerb weight gives it a small mass advantage in multi-vehicle crashes. The CX-5 at 1,588kg is a little lighter, which helps with handling but is marginally less advantageous in a crash with a heavier vehicle.

For families with young kids, both offer ISOFIX anchor points and top tether points in the rear. Neither has a particular advantage for child seat installation. Both are excellent choices if safety is your primary concern.

The CR-V VTi L sits one trim above Honda's base model, so it comes nicely equipped. You get a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera with guidelines, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, auto LED headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior design is clean and modern, with a simple button layout for the climate controls that Honda reintroduced after the touchscreen-everything era. Good call.

The CX-5 G25 Pure is the entry-level CX-5, and the new generation moves the game on considerably. You get a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a far bigger unit than the outgoing car's rotary-controlled display (which many people prefer to a touchscreen while driving), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired), dual-zone climate control, cloth seats, auto headlights, and 17-inch alloys. The Mazda interior is well designed with a driver-focused cockpit feel.

The CR-V's bigger screen and wireless phone mirroring give it a tech edge. Mazda's wired-only connectivity feels a touch dated in 2026, though the rotary controller is arguably safer to use while driving than a touchscreen. Honda also gives you a wireless phone charger on the VTi L, which the G25 Pure CX-5 lacks.

Boot space is where the CR-V pulls ahead decisively. At 561L versus 438L, that's 123 litres more. A serious gap, though the CX-5 opens out to 1,594L with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's boot is also wider and squarer, making it easier to load bulky items. Fold the rear seats and the CR-V opens up to a cavern. Honda has always been clever with interior packaging, and it shows here.

The CR-V VTi L uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 140kW and 243Nm of torque. The CX-5 G25 Pure runs a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four making 132kW and 242Nm. On paper, the Honda has a clear advantage: 25kW more power and 43Nm more torque from a smaller, turbocharged engine. In practice, the CR-V feels noticeably more energetic, especially when overtaking on country roads or merging onto highways.

The CR-V hits 100km/h in about 9.4 seconds versus 8.7 for the CX-5, so the Mazda is now the quicker of the two. Neither is going to win drag races, but the CR-V's turbo gives it a more relaxed, effortless feel in everyday driving. The Mazda needs to be revved harder to extract its performance, which the 6-speed auto handles well but the engine note becomes noticeable.

The CX-5's 6-speed automatic is one of the highlights of the car. It's responsive, smooth, and always seems to find the right gear. The CR-V's CVT is fine, Honda has done a decent job calibrating it, but CVTs inherently lack the crispness of a traditional torque-converter auto. Under hard acceleration, the CR-V's CVT drones more than the CX-5's auto.

Towing is where the CX-5 strikes back. At 1,800kg braked versus 1,500kg for the CR-V, the Mazda can tow 300kg more. The CX-5 can handle most single-axle caravans, medium boats, and loaded trailers. The CR-V's 1,500kg limit means you need to be more careful about what you hitch up. A loaded box trailer and camping gear could push you close to the limit. If you tow regularly, the CX-5 is the safer bet.

Both cars compared here drive all four wheels, but the entry points differ sharply. The CX-5 range offers AWD from $39,990 RRP at the G25 Pure. Honda's cheapest all-wheel-drive CR-V is the VTi L AWD at $49,800 drive-away, so the Mazda gives you driven rear wheels roughly $6,000 earlier on the road.