Compact SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles on the roads, and it’s easy to see why. They’re practical, efficient, and roomy enough to seat five people yet still easily slot into tight parking spaces and home garages. When shopping for a compact SUV, you have the choice of more than a dozen at the moment. While many are rather vanilla, some stand out. They’re more flavorful, if we’re sticking with the flavor theme. And two of the tastiest are the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Bronco Sport. They each bring unique characteristics and skill sets that will tempt many a buyer.
Here’s how the 2025 Mazda CX-5 and 2025 Ford Bronco Sport stack up against each other.
2025 Mazda CX-5
If you’ve ever owned a Mazda, you just know: These vehicles have a sporty nature to them, and that extends even to their SUVs, the most popular of which is the CX-5.
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 has all the things we like in an SUV – practicality, value, efficiency, etc. – yet 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.
No matter which 2025 CX-5 you choose, it comes with a long list of standard features that includes all-wheel drive (AWD), driver assist features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, and plentiful safety features, too. This year sees the return of the base S trim, which means an appealing starting price of just $32,670, including the destination fee.
Mazda CX-5 Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive: Mazda is among the few automakers whose SUV lineup comes standard with all-wheel drive. With power going to all four wheels, this enhances traction on slick and dry roads alike.
Premium design: Outside and inside, the CX-5 is one sharp-looking vehicle. Its exterior is curvy and athletic, and Mazda continues to create some of the most eye-popping paint colors available. Inside, 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 want to make the most of its excellent chassis, consider opting for this upgrade engine. It turns the Mazda CX-5 into a real sprinter.
Read our Mazda CX-5 Expert Review or see 2025 Mazda CX-5 models for sale near you.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
Ford currently builds two SUVs with the Bronco name. The one simply called Bronco is a larger, off-road-oriented model that excels where paved roads end but might not be your first choice for the daily commute. Then there’s this Bronco Sport. It’s the smaller of the pair and boasts far more comfortable and quiet road manners. Yet it’s no paper tiger. The Bronco Sport has a dual nature that makes it great for the daily grind yet tough enough to tackle trails on the weekend. Prices start at $31,590, including destination fee.
Ford Bronco Sport Highlights
Unique special editions: No vanilla here. It’s easy to stand out in the Bronco Sport with designs like the Free Wheeling edition, with its 1970s-style sunset gradient stripes, or the Heritage Edition, with its old-school white grille and red lettering. Combined with its blocky looks, the Bronco Sport looks more rugged than the Mazda CX-5.
Sasquatch package: This name was first used on its Bronco big brother, and now the Bronco Sport introduces it for the 2025 model year. The Bronco Sport Sasquatch package brings increased ride height, upgraded suspension, steel underbody bash plates, recovery hooks, and a dual-clutch torque-vectoring rear drive unit. And yeah, it just plain looks cool.
Large touchscreen: For 2025, the Bronco Sport gets an upgrade in the tech department, too: an impressive 13.2-inch touchscreen. By comparison, the Mazda CX-5’s is 10.25 inches and fussier to use.
Read our Ford Bronco Sport Expert Review or see 2025 Ford Bronco Sport models for sale near you.
Similarities
These SUVs stand out from rivals with their standard all-wheel drive and peppy engine options.
Conclusion
Though these two SUVs are in the same class and ostensibly compete with each other, they both have different personalities. If you’re looking for a compact SUV that is great as a daily driver and has an athletic flair, the Mazda CX-5 is the choice. If you’re looking for a compact SUV that will also serve admirably on the daily commute but has a penchant for off-pavement adventures, the Bronco Sport is the pick. These are both recommendable compact SUVs in their own right; which lines up with your desires and priorities?
New 2025 MAZDA CX-5 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (06457)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$30,190 |
$28,831 |
|||
$31,520 |
$29,799 |
|||
$32,870 |
$31,979 |
|||
$34,220 |
$32,799 |
|||
$36,820 |
$35,638 |
|||
$38,620 |
$37,256 |
|||
$39,420 |
$37,985 |
|||
$42,220 |
$41,075 |
New 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (06457)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$31,590 |
$31,318 |
|||
$34,730 |
$34,431 |
|||
$34,990 |
$34,689 |
|||
$36,890 |
$36,388 |
|||
$41,710 |
$41,351 |
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 New 2025 MAZDA CX-5 vehicles and New 2025 Ford Bronco Sport 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.
| 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 2025 Ford Bronco Sport | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 181 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 190 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 23 city/29 highway/25 combined | 25 city/29 highway/26 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cyl. | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cyl. |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 star | 5 star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.2 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 180.1 inches | 172.7 inches |
| Width | 72.6 inches | 74.3 inches |
| Height | 66.1 inches | 70.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.7 inches | 41.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.0 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.0 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.6 inches | 36.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.1 inches | 57.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.8 inches | 55.6 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 29.1/58.1 cubic feet | 32.5/65.2 cubic feet |
