Compact SUVs are among the most popular choices for today’s car buyers, and there are good reasons why these vehicles are leaving dealer lots in droves. They boast lots of cargo versatility, good visibility thanks to their raised stance, and all-weather confidence thanks to all-wheel drive (AWD) that’s either standard or optional. Two standouts in the segment are the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and 2025 Mazda CX-5. Each brings a lot of attractive traits that appeal to plenty of buyers.
Here’s how the two stack up against each other.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson has been a staple of the Hyundai lineup for over 20 years, and in that time it has evolved from a simple SUV to a sophisticated hauler with outstanding features. Some of them are class-exclusive, too. For example, with its refresh for the 2025 model year, the Tucson gains a sweet trait that new parents just might love. See below. Pricing starts at $30,055, including destination fee.
Hyundai Tucson Highlights
Baby mode: Have you ever worried about waking your little bundle of joy by a too-sudden tap on the accelerator? The Tucson’s Baby mode, new for 2025, helps alleviate that with a gentler response. We think this would also benefit dog owners. This is a nifty feature, and to our knowledge the first of its kind.
Unbeatable warranty: Hyundai touts a class-leading warranty of five years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain. The Mazda CX-5 can’t touch that.
Choice of powertrains: In addition to a standard gasoline engine, the Tucson is available as hybrid that earns up to 38 mpg combined or as a plug-in hybrid with the ability to travel 32 miles on electricity alone. We love the range of choices.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tucson models for sale near you
2025 Mazda CX-5
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 has all the traits we like in an SUV, including practicality, value, and efficiency. The icing on top is that it’s also among the most fun-to-drive vehicles in its segment. Even with the base 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, the CX-5 feels peppy. If you opt for the turbocharged version of that engine with up to 256 hp, the CX-5 becomes plain old quick.
All CX-5 models come with a long list of standard features, including all-wheel drive and driver assist features like adaptive cruise control. This year sees the return of the base S trim, which means an appealing starting price of just $29,990.
Mazda CX-5 Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive: Mazda is among the few automakers whose lineup of SUVs comes standard with all-wheel drive. The Tucson also offers it, but you have to pay extra for the feature.
Premium design: The CX-5 is a sharp-looking SUV inside and out. Its exterior is curvy and athletic, and Mazda continues to create some of the most eye-popping paint colors available. In the cabin, the Mazda’s fine build quality and premium materials make this seem like a more expensive vehicle.
Turbo engine: If you’re buying a Mazda CX-5 for its athletic nature and really want to make the most of its excellent chassis, consider opting for the engine upgrade. It really dials up the fun factor in this compact SUV.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CX-5 models for sale near you
Similarities
Both the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 have seating for five, appealing design inside and out, and prices that start at $30,000 or less.
Pricing
Used Prices
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Original MSRP
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
TBD |
TBD |
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New 2025 MAZDA CX-5 Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
$30,190 |
$28,783 |
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$31,520 |
$29,748 |
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$32,870 |
$31,926 |
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$34,220 |
$32,745 |
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$36,820 |
$35,579 |
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$38,620 |
$37,194 |
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$39,420 |
$37,922 |
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$42,220 |
$41,008 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for vehicles and New 2025 MAZDA CX-5 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | 2025 Mazda CX-5 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 182 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/33 highway/28 combined mpg | 23 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg |
| Also Available | PHEV, hybrid, AWD | 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine w/ 227 horsepower |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 106.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.7 inches | 180.1 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 72.6 inches |
| Height | 65.6 inches | 65.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 36.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.1 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.5 inches | 39.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.0 inches | 54.8 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 38.7/74.8 cubic feet | 29.1/59.3 cubic feet |
Conclusion
There’s no clear front-runner here because both of these compact SUVs are winners. The CX-5 brings standard all-wheel drive, a fun-to-drive nature, and an optional turbo engine to the table. The Tucson answers that with an incredible warranty, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, and technology that the Mazda can’t touch. Our advice is to drive both and see which of these excellent SUVs tugs your heartstrings.
