2026–27 Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-50: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the CX-50 — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 7 categories, winning on better fuel economy (38 mpg vs 26 mpg best EPA combined) and more available power (256 hp vs 187 hp). Choose the CX-5 if you need more cargo room (33.7 cu ft vs 31.4 cu ft behind the rear seats).
Scorecard: CX-5 2 pts · CX-50 3.5 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 CX-5 | 2026 CX-50 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $29,990 | $29,900 | Tie |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.25 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 60.2% | — | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 26 mpg | 38 mpg | CX-50 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 187 hp | 256 hp | CX-50 |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | 3,500 lb | CX-50 |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 33.7 cu ft | 31.4 cu ft | CX-5 |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 5.5% off MSRP | 4.8% off MSRP | CX-5 |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 0 | — | No data |
| Weighted points | 2 | 3.5 | CX-50 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the CX-50 — 38 mpg vs 26 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the CX-5 — 33.7 cu ft vs 31.4 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: it's a wash — CX-5 $29,990 vs CX-50 $29,900 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $24,518 for the CX-5 vs $27,731 for the CX-50.
- Towing. Towing: the CX-50 — 3,500 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The CX-5 starts at $29,990 and tops out at $39,440; the CX-50 runs $29,900 to $42,900 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified CX-5 buyers paid a median 5.5% off MSRP across 41 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.3% off. Verified CX-50 buyers paid a median 4.8% off MSRP across 27 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 5.7% off. Used, the median asking price is $24,518 for the CX-5 and $27,731 for the CX-50 (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- CX-5: 0.25 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 87th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- CX-50: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: CX-5 2016 (avoid) · CX-50 2023 (caution), 2024 (solid), 2025 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 CX-5 | 2026 CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $29,990 | $29,900 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $39,440 | $42,900 |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 187–256 hp |
| Max torque | 186 lb-ft | 320 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 26 mpg | 25–38 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 33.7 cu ft | 31.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| CX-5 | CX-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.6 in | 185.8 in |
| Width | — | 75.6 in |
| Height | 66.7 in | 63.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in | 110.8 in |
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 8.3 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) CX-5 lists for a median $22,187 — 60.2% of today's median new price of $36,851. There's no 5-year retention figure for the CX-50 yet.
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More on the Mazda CX-5
More on the Mazda CX-50
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the CX-5 better than the CX-50?
On our data, no — the CX-50 comes out ahead. Our pick: the CX-50 — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 7 categories, winning on better fuel economy (38 mpg vs 26 mpg best EPA combined) and more available power (256 hp vs 187 hp). Choose the CX-5 if you need more cargo room (33.7 cu ft vs 31.4 cu ft behind the rear seats).
Which is more reliable, the CX-5 or the CX-50?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the CX-5 or the CX-50?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the CX-5 or the CX-50?
They start within 3% of each other: $29,990 vs $29,900. Verified buyers paid a median 5.5% off MSRP on the CX-5 (41 deals) and 4.8% on the CX-50 (27 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the CX-5 or the CX-50?
The CX-50: up to 38 mpg combined vs 26 mpg for the CX-5 (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-50: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/mazda-cx-5-vs-mazda-cx-50, updated November 8, 2026.