Compare the2027 BMW X5 VS 2026 Mazda CX-50

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-50 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-50 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X5 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with Braking with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the X5 and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The BMW X5 weighs 1208 to 1475 pounds more than the Mazda CX-50. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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-50’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-50’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, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-50.

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.

The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 207 more horsepower (394 vs. 187) and 243 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 185) than the CX-50’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 175 more horsepower (394 vs. 219) and 265 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 163) than the CX-50’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 138 more horsepower (394 vs. 256) and 108 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 320) than the CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

The X5 has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5 has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 15.9 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (4 to 6). This means the X5 produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

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-50.

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CX-50 doesn’t offer launch control.

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-50 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the X5 has larger tires than the CX-50 (F:255/50R21 & R:284/45R21 vs. 225/65R17). The X5’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-50 (F:255/50R21 & R:284/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The X5’s 255/50R21 front and 284/45R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50. The X5’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the CX-50 2.5 S Premium/2.5 Turbo/Turbo Premium Plus.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The X5 has a standard 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-50’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the CX-50 (119.5 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CX-50.

The X5 has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 7.8 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 7.9 inches more rear hip room and 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (67.7 vs. 56.3 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-50 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-50’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-50’s (7710 vs. 2000 pounds).

While the CX-50 Hybrid can only tow 1500, any X5 can tow a minimum of 7710 pounds.

The engine in the X5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-50. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The X5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the X5 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-50 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X5’s standard Comfort Access allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Advanced Keyless Entry and Start standard on the CX-50 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

The X5’s optional power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-50 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-50 Preferred/Meridian/Premium/Turbo.

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-50 Premium Plus Hybrid/Turbo.

The X5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid Premium Plus.

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-50.

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. Mazda charges extra for Homelink® on the CX-50.

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-50 Premium/Turbo.

Both the BMW X5 and the Mazda CX-50 have a standard Qi wireless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the rear seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the X5 also has a standard wireless charging system in the rear seat. The CX-50 does not.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.