2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. Honda CR-V
The compact SUV segment is a busy space with plenty of rivals all wanting a slice of the same pie. Two Japanese automakers who have helped themselves to the best slices of this pie are Mazda and Honda with their respective CX-50 and CR-V models. Our article takes a close look at these two top sellers, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. Honda CR-V, and what buyers can expect from the 2025 versions of these contenders.
2025 Mazda CX-50
The CX-50 continues with only a few changes to the 2025 lineup's infotainment system and driver assistance technology.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 lineup offers seven trims, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 S Premium Plus, 2.5 Turbo Meridian, 2.5 Turbo Premium and the range topping 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
2025 Honda CR-V
Honda's CR-V compact SUV soldiers on into 2025 with no changes from 2024. Not that any changes are needed to this extremely popular Honda product, as the CR-V received a complete new design in 2023.
For 2025 the Honda is available in LX, EX, and EX-L gas-only trims while the Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring models are fitted with a hybrid powertrain.
Exterior Features
Let's compare the exteriors of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. Honda CR-V.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Exterior
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 exterior shows powerful aesthetics with squared off styling cues like the wide fenders, square wheel arches and generous use of protective body cladding that make the CX-50 just right for any adventure loving family.
The CX-50's exterior offers plentiful standard highlights inclusive:
- LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- Black dual power side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
- Automatic power-folding side mirrors
- Body-colored rear roof spoiler
- Dual exhaust outlets with a bright finish
- Rear privacy glass
- Roof-mounted shark fin antenna
All trims feature 17-inch alloy wheels with 20-inch wheels, which is an option for buyers.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 is 185.8 inches long, 75.6 inches wide riding on a wheelbase of 110.8 inches and offers useful ground clearance of 8.3 or 8.6 inches, depending on trim level chosen.
2025 Honda CR-V Exterior
The 2025 Honda CR-V exterior design, like the CX-50, sports a rugged, adventurous look with its square-shaped panels, black wheel arch trim, black side moldings, large horizontal LED headlamps, LED daytime driving lights, and the gloss black front grill that dominates the front view.
The Honda rides on a shorter wheelbase of 106.3 inches and is 185.2 inches long and 73.5 inches wide.
Some standard features of the CR-V are:
- LED rear tail lights
- Roofline Spoiler with Integrated Brake Light
- Roof rails
- Body-Colored Fin-Type Roof-Mounted Antenna
All 2025 Honda CR-V trims are fitted with alloy wheels beside the entry level LX that is kitted out with steel rims.
The CR-V is available in eight exterior color choices.
Interior Comparison
Let's compare the interiors of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. Honda CR-V.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Interior
The upscale interior of the CX-50 accommodates up to five passengers in its two rows of seats.
The interior of the Mazda continues the rugged outdoors theme of the exterior design, with cabin accents that draw inspiration from the adventurous and outdoor lifestyle, such as seat stitching that mimics the distinctly recognizable pattern of hiking boot laces along with unique textured surface finish found on the center console, reminiscent of a telephoto lens grip.
All trims offer the driver a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a convenient push-button start, and a partially digital gauge display. Heated and ventilated front seats, as well as heated rear seats, are available on all trim levels.
Other key interior features include:
- Speed-sensitive power door locks with 2-stage unlocking
- Mazda advanced keyless entry and start system
- Power windows featuring one-touch down/up
- Dual-zone automatic climate control.
For 2025 all trims feature a 10.25-inch full-color display with the Mazda Connect system controlled by the center console-mounted rotary controller and volume knob. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are also standard.
31.4 cubic feet of loading space is available behind the second-row seats, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet once the 60/40-split rear seats are folded down.
2025 Honda CR-V Interior
The 2025 CR-V, which seats five passengers, offers buyers a typically Honda minimalist interior. It features a honeycomb-textured insert across the dash, and the air vents are cleverly hidden.
The standard digital gauge cluster is combined with an analog speedometer plus the 7.0-inch display allows for swapping between menus.
Some key interior features include the likes of:
- Automatic Climate Control System
- Power Door and Tailgate Locks
- Cruise Control
Storage solutions include the large center console bin between the front-seat passengers, and reclining back seats offer comfortable legroom.
The CR-V's infotainment system offers a 7.0-inch touchscreen on lower LX and EX trims featuring physical volume and tuning knobs, plus standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Upper trims are upgraded to a 9.0-inch touchscreen offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus built-in navigation, two USB-C ports in the rear, and convenient wireless smartphone charging.
The CR-V Hybrid trims offer 36 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 39 cubic feet on the gas-only models fitted with an adjustable load floor.
Powertrain Differences
Looking at powertrain specs is crucial when comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. Honda CR-V.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Powertrain
Non-turbo CX-50 trims use a four-cylinder 2.5 L Skyactiv engine making 187 horsepower and 186 pound feet of torque married to the standard six-speed automatic transmission with standard i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system.
Turbo trims use a turbo-boosted version of the 2.5-liter engine, which can produce up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.
2025 Honda CR-V Powertrain
A 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder coupled with a CVT driving the front wheels or AWD does duty in the Honda CR-V's LX, EX, and EX-L trims.
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors hybrid powertrain making 204 horsepower is found in the Sport and Sport Touring trims with either front- or all-wheel drive on the Sport trim and standard AWD in the Sport Touring.
Safety Features
Considering safety is critical when comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. Honda CR-V.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Safety Features
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 won an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award , so buyers can rest easy, with their safety assured.
Plentiful standard safety features include ABS disc brakes, dual front airbags with seat belt-use and passenger-weight sensors, plus dynamic stability control with traction control system.
Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE safety suite is standard that offers such features as automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and radar adaptive cruise control.
2025 Honda CR-V Safety Features
Honda offers plenty of driver-assistance technology in the CR-V, such as blind-spot monitoring, driver-attention monitoring, and traffic sign recognition.
Fitted key safety and driver aids on offer include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automated emergency braking.
Get your 2025 Mazda CX-50 at Seacoast Mazda
Do you think the CX-50 is right for you after comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. Honda CR-V? If so, discover more about this adventurous vehicle at Seacoast Mazda in Portsmouth, NH.
Book a test drive with our sales team to feel the driving enjoyment that this capable and versatile Mazda offers.
Not only does Seacoast Mazda have a full range of brand-new Mazda models to view, we also offer an extensive selection of certified pre-owned vehicles to choose from.
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