2023 Honda CR-V vs. Mazda CX-5: Which Compact SUV Should You Buy?

Honda equips the 2023 CR-V with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder producing 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. All models use a CVT automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available on all trims. While it doesn't make any more power than its predecessor, the new CR-V exhibits great ride and handling. It's not as quick as the old model, however, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.7 seconds for the all-wheel-drive variant we tested.

Typically, folks who love to drive have the Mazda CX-5 on their short list if they're in the market for a small SUV. Its entry level 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces a respectable 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The CX-5 also offers a 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4 that cranks out 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gas and 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93 octane. Reaching 60 mph takes 8.5 seconds with the base engine, according to our tests, and 6.8 seconds with the upgrade engine. All 2023 Mazda CX-5 models come with a six-speed automatic transmission that's starting to show its age and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-5 boasts engaging steering, poised handling, and a controlled ride. We recommend the Mazda if excellent vehicle performance is a must.

Honda would summarily beat Mazda if this was a small SUV fuel economy comparison. Every version of the CR-V has better fuel economy than any version of the CX-5. Gasoline versions of the CR-V are rated at 27-28/32-34 mpg city/highway, with the better ratings favoring FWD models. The EPA rates Mazda's AWD-only compact SUV at 22-24/27-30 mpg, with the lower-output engine returning better efficiency. For maximum fuel savings, get the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid. It's rated at 43/36 mpg with FWD and 40/34 mpg with AWD.

Honda equips the 2023 CR-V with a 7.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on LX, EX, and Sport Hybrid trims. A 9.0-inch unit with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on EX-L and Sport Touring Hybrid variants. While we like the physical knob for volume and other button controls that accompany these displays, we wish Honda sprung for bigger screens. However, all models in the CR-V range receive a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster display. Honda offers four audio systems across the CR-V lineup. The LX trim receives a four-speaker audio setup, while EX and Sport Hybrid trims are upgraded to a six-speaker system. The EX-L model receives an eight-speaker arrangement, and the Sport Touring Hybrid trim receives Bose 12-speaker audio. The base CR-V has just one USB-A port up front. EX and EX-L models gain a USB-C port. To get two rear USB-C ports, shoppers must spring for either of the hybrid trims of the CR-V.

The 2023 CX-5 receives a standard 10.3-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Although the screen is big, it doesn't have touch control capabilities. A 4.6-inch instrument cluster display is standard on the first four out of eight trims, while the rest receive a 7.0-inch unit. Four-speaker audio comes equipped on the base model, while the next four trims receive a six-speaker arrangement. The final trims come equipped with a Bose 10-speaker setup. Dual front USB-A ports are standard on all models and every trim above the base CX-5 receives twin rear USB-A ports. Although we have issues with the way both manufacturers execute their infotainment displays, we have to give Mazda the win in this category for its generous USB port integration.

The 2023 Honda CR-V is bigger in every interior dimension than the 2023 Mazda CX-5. Legroom measures 41.3 inches up front and 41.0 in the second row in the Honda, and 41.0 inches and 39.6 inches in the Mazda. The story is the same for cargo volume. The CR-V's trunk space measures 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubes with the second row flipped down. The CX-5's cargo volume is 30.8 cubic feet behind the back bench and 59.3 cubic feet with the second row folded.

Both models receive strong ratings from the IIHS. The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is a Top Safety Pick, but the 2023 Honda CR-V brought home a highly coveted Top Safety Pick+ award. The 2023 CR-V comes with the Honda Sensing collection of driver assistance technology, bundling together adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking as standard equipment. Other standard features include traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring are available. The Honda Sensing suite feels smooth and natural when in operation, and it keeps the annoying beeps and chimes to a minimum.

Mazda equips the 2023 CX-5 with standard active driver assist features that include blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, automatic emergency braking, a lane keeping system, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic high-beams are also standard, and features like auto leveling and curve-adapting headlights are offered on higher trim levels. The Mazda puts forward a solid effort, but Honda's higher safety scores make it the more compelling SUV in this category.

As of this writing, the base 2023 Honda CR-V LX starts at $29,705 with front-wheel drive and $31,205 with all-wheel drive. A 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S begins at $28,075. Not only does the Mazda CX-5 undercut the most basic Honda CR-V, it comes with standard all-wheel drive and a compelling suite of standard equipment. As such, we feel the Mazda CX-5 represents a strong new-car value.

Our partners at IntelliChoice are experts in analyzing vehicle ownership costs, rating every mainstream model with a score of Excellent, Good, Average, Mediocre, or Poor. The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is projected to have an Average cost to own over a five year period whereas the  2023 Honda CR-V received a rating of Excellent over the same period.

Both the 2023 Honda CR-V and 2023 Mazda CX-5 are in the top half of our compact SUV rankings, but there's a clear winner in this matchup. We love the Mazda CX-5's incredible driving dynamics and remain impressed with the strong suite of features that accompany its competitive starting price. However, the Honda CR-V better executes many of the high-priority areas that compact SUV shoppers examine when considering a new vehicle. Its spacious cabin, high safety scores, and array of active driver assistance features make for a compelling package. Factor in the CR-V's long-term value, and its higher starting price is much easier to rationalize.

2023 Honda CR-V: Advantages Over the Mazda CX-5

2023 Mazda CX-5: Advantages Over the Honda CR-V