Mazda CX-5 vs. Acura MDX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-5 and Acura MDX contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda CX-5 and the Acura MDX.
When comparing the Mazda CX-5's and the Acura MDX's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-5 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability and resale value. The Acura MDX has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Mazda CX-5 and Acura MDX have the same overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-5's and the Acura MDX's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-5 is a better car than the Acura MDX.
Pricing: A used 2025 Mazda CX-5 ranges from $25,750 to $37,887 while a used 2026 Acura MDX is priced between $55,350 to $70,850. For a new model, the Mazda CX-5's price is between $31,061 and $41,347, with the Acura MDX priced between $55,950 and $77,785.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda CX-5 loses 42.4 percent of its value and the Acura MDX loses 53.7 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-5 retains 11.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Acura MDX.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda CX-5 and Acura MDX is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Mazda CX-5 being ranked 4 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Acura MDX being ranked 1 out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda CX-5 is 8.1 out of 10. For the Acura MDX the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the Mazda CX-5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Acura MDX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda CX-5’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the Acura MDX base engine makes 290 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Acura MDX, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room. The Mazda CX-5, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mazda CX-5 and the Acura MDX have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
31061 - 41347
Starting MSRP:
29050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
28836
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24135 - 30995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
55950 - 77785
Starting MSRP:
51800
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
77833
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
51200 - 138300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
30175
Price Range:
25750 - 37887
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
32106
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
28107 - 36583
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
66659
Price Range:
55350 - 70850
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
73712
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
60234 - 92425
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
12425
Depreciation %:
0.42771385
Resale Value $:
16625
Residual Value %:
0.57228615
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
0.43208374
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
0.30791758 - 0.51647538
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
27937
Depreciation %:
0.53931912
Resale Value $:
23863
Residual Value %:
0.46068087999999996
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.56208052
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.41556056 - 0.61479035
Mazda CX-5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Acura MDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.263
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura MDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
12.8
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
9.7 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.317
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5563369845389827
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 16.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mazda CX-5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 56Ranking
1 out of / 18Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 19Ranking
20 out of / 56Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
54 out of / 67Acura MDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 27Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 27Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 27Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 27Ranking
19 out of / 27Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 27Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
27 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 64Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 68Ranking
48 out of / 68Ranking
49 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels
2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 S, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium Plus, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 Turbo Premium, 2.5 Turbo Signature
Acura MDX Trim Levels
Base, SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC w/Advance, SH-AWD Type S w/Advance Package, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Tech, w/Tech
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
267 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
30.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
59.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.3 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
155.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3679 lbs
Width:
83.3 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
180.1 inches
Wheelbase:
106.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4268 lbs
Width:
78.7 inches
Height:
67.9 inches
Length:
198.4 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/55R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Platinum Quartz Metallic
White
Rhodium White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Silver
Solar Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Beige
Parchment
