Compare the2026 BMW X5VS 2026 Mazda CX-5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The X5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mazda CX-5 has not been tested.

Compared to metal, the X5’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-5 has a metal gas tank.

Both the X5 and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X5 weighs 1063 to 1717 pounds more than the Mazda CX-5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The BMW X5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The CX-5 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

Warranty

The X5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-5’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-5.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mazda.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 9 places higher in reliability than Mazda.

Engine

The X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 188 more horsepower (375 vs. 187) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The X5 xDrive50e’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 296 more horsepower (483 vs. 187) and 330 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The X5 M60i xDrive’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 336 more horsepower (523 vs. 187) and 367 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive50e running on electricity gets better mileage than the CX-5 (58 city/62 hwy MPGe vs. 24 city/30 hwy).

The X5 xDrive50e can travel with zero emissions for 40 miles. The CX-5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5 xDrive50e’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 (18.2 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 (21.9 vs. 15.3 gallons).

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	X5	X5 M Sport	CX-5
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	11.8 inches

The X5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-5 are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the CX-5 (275/45R20 vs. 225/65R17). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 225/65R17).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5’s standard 65 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-5. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the CX-5 Preferred/Premium.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CX-5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X5 M60i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M60i xDrive offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mazda doesn’t offer an active suspension on the CX-5.

The X5 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 6.4 inches longer than on the CX-5 (117.1 inches vs. 110.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-5.

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 S/Select (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the CX-5 Preferred/Premium (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X5 has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 6.2 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 7.6 inches more rear hip room and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

Cargo Capacity

The X5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 66.5 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X5. The CX-5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The CX-5’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-5’s (5952 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mazda CX-5 is only 1500 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X5 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The X5 has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the CX-5 (1323 vs. 1058 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The X5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the X5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-5. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the CX-5 Preferred/Premium, the X5 M60i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The power windows standard on both the X5 and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X5 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The X5’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium.

The X5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X5’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium.

The X5’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The BMW X5 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-5.

Both the X5 and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X5 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The BMW X5 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the CX-5 Preferred/Premium.

Compared to traditional radio, the BMW X5’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Premium.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium offers wireless charging.

The X5’s Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the BMW X5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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