Mazda CX-5 vs Hyundai Tucson

At $38,900 the Tucson Active undercuts the $39,990 CX-5 G25 Pure AWD by just $1,090, though note the Mazda includes all-wheel drive at this price where the base Tucson is front-drive. Both are sharply priced for the mid-size class.

Running costs lean to the Mazda: its 7.4L/100km uses about $2,110 a year over 15,000km versus roughly $2,310 for the Tucson's 8.1L/100km, around $200 a year, despite the Mazda being more powerful and AWD. Both carry 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranties and hold their value well in a popular, deep used market.

Both are 5-star ANCAP with comprehensive active safety, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise, standard. Mazda's i-Activsense and Hyundai's SmartSense suites are both well-regarded. There's little to separate them on everyday safety; both are sensible family choices.

The Tucson is the more spacious and overtly modern of the two. It's a touch shorter overall but packages a notably roomy rear seat and a big boot, and Hyundai loads it with tech, the cabin feels generously equipped for the money, with large screens and a contemporary design.

The CX-5 plays the premium card. Its interior is beautifully finished with high-quality materials and a driver-focused layout, and many buyers prefer Mazda's rotary infotainment controller to a touchscreen on the move. Rear space is good if not quite Tucson-generous. If cabin feel and finish matter most, the Mazda edges it; if outright space and features per dollar matter most, the Hyundai.

The CX-5 G25's 2.5-litre with 132kW and 242Nm has a clear edge over the Tucson Active's 2.0-litre with 115kW and 192Nm, and it's quicker (8.7s to 100km/h versus 9.2) and more relaxed when overtaking. The Mazda also adds all-wheel drive for extra security on wet or loose surfaces, where the base Tucson is front-drive.

Both drive through smooth six-speed automatics. The Mazda's larger engine is also the more efficient here, helped by Mazda's well-honed petrol tuning, so you get more performance and AWD for less fuel. The Tucson's 2.0-litre is adequate rather than punchy; Hyundai offers more powerful turbo and hybrid Tucsons higher up the range if you want more urge, which is worth factoring into a like-for-like shop.