Mazda has taken great strides recently by making its crossovers more luxurious and more enjoyable to drive. The Mazda CX-5 is the brand's compact offering, while the CX-9 is its mid-size crossover in the lineup. Both have a fun-to-drive character, upscale interiors, and the high-riding body style that consumers are looking for. The CX-9 may be larger than the CX-5, but are there other differences that'll have you going with one model over the other? Continue reading to see which crossover you should consider.
See a side-by-side comparison of the CX-5 & CX-9 »
What the CX-5 Gets Right
Since the CX-5 is classified as a compact crossover, the model is the more affordable choice. Pricing for the 2018 CX-5 starts at $25,125 (prices include destination), while the 2018 CX-9 carries a price tag of $33,105. The $7,980 difference means that you can get into the range-topping CX-5 Grand Touring at $30,620 and there's still a $2,485 gap before the entry-level CX-9.
For drivers that reside in urban areas, the CX-5's compact size makes it easier to drive on congested, tight roads. Its compact stature also makes it the more fuel-efficient option. The CX-5 is rated by the EPA to get 25 miles per gallon city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 combined. The CX-9 is larger and has a more powerful engine, which means it's not as fuel efficient. The CX-9 is rated by the EPA to get 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 24 combined.
Despite being smaller, the CX-5 offers passengers with more front head room, rear head room, and rear leg room for the second row. The CX-5's rear seats are more comfortable than the CX-9's, as well, as getting into the third row in the mid-size crossover can be difficult.
What the CX-9 Gets Right
The most obvious upside to the CX-9 is its available seating. The mid-size crossover has a third row and enough seating for seven passengers – two more than the CX-5. Its larger stature also allows the CX-9 to hold more cargo. With all of the seats in place, the CX-9 has the ability to hold 14.4 cubic feet of cargo. That figure increases to 38.2 cubic feet behind the second row and a massive 71.2 cubic feet with all of the seats down.
The CX-9 also has the upper hand when it comes to performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The smaller CX-5 has a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that generates 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. As a larger vehicle, the CX-9 isn't as zippy or enjoyable to drive as the CX-5, but it's peppy for its size.
Need Room For Seven?
If you need room for seven passengers, the CX-9 is the only viable option of the two. Getting into the third row isn't easy, though, so ferrying seven passengers on a regular basis could prove to be difficult. It's a great vehicle, but its large size is just a little too big for the majority of drivers.
Our Verdict: Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 strikes the middle ground between being the right size, price, and amount of fun to drive. For the average consumer, the CX-5 is a great crossover that ticks all of the right boxes. Its distinct styling is also noteworthy among other compact crossovers, as it's one of the better looking vehicles in its class.
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