2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2025 Honda CR-V
The compact SUV market is growing rapidly, and two of the top contenders for 2025 are the Mazda CX-50 and the Honda CR-V. If you’re in Orange County and looking for a new vehicle, Capistrano Mazda is here to help you make the best choice. In this showdown, we’ll compare these two models in terms of design, performance, technology, safety, and comfort. Let’s dive in and see why the Mazda CX-50 is the superior choice.
Exterior
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 showcases Mazda’s dedication to innovation and craftsmanship. Its muscular yet sleek profile, highlighted with pronounced fender flares and a dynamic rising beltline, emanates confidence and style. The car’s distinctive grille, sharp LED headlights, standard 17-inch Black Metallic alloy wheels, a sporty rear spoiler, and elegant chrome accents contribute to its sophisticated appearance, all following Mazda’s signature Kodo design philosophy. Additionally, the CX-50 is equipped with roof rails, enhancing its capacity to carry outdoor gear.
Conversely, the 2025 Honda CR-V, with its long wheelbase, wide stance, and sporty roofline, doesn’t quite match the rugged refinement of the Mazda CX-50. The CR-V’s exterior features sleek, dual low-beam LED headlights with auto on/off functionality. Nevertheless, the Mazda CX-50’s muscular profile and dynamic rising beltline offer a more robust and stylish look. Despite both vehicles having their strengths, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 stands out with its superior exterior features and design philosophy.
Performance and Handling
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 is a standout performer in the compact crossover segment, offering a more engaging driving experience than the 2025 Honda CR-V. The CX-50 offers three powertrain choices, all with standard all-wheel drive. The 2.5 S models are powered by a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque.
The CX-50 also introduces a hybrid variant that generates 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque, neatly bisecting the CX-50’s 187-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 256-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter. This hybrid model offers over 100 miles of extra driving range compared to the CX-50 2.5 S models. The CX-50’s handling is sharp and enjoyable, with a firmer ride that enhances its engaging handling.
In contrast, the 2025 Honda CR-V offers a 1.5-liter DI VTEC turbo engine that produces 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 lb-ft of torque at 1,700-5,000 rpm. While the CR-V’s performance is respectable, it doesn’t quite match the exhilarating drive offered by the CX-50. The CR-V’s handling is refined and responsive, but it lacks the CX-50’s surprising off-road capability. The CX-50’s Mi-Drive control offers Sport and Off-Road modes, enhancing its performance in a wide variety of driving conditions. This level of performance and versatility underscores why the 2025 Mazda CX-50 is a cut above the rest.
Technology
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 offers a suite of advanced features that outshine the 2025 Honda CR-V. The CX-50 comes with a 10.25-inch full-color center display, an eight-speaker audio system, and four USB-C ports. It also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, providing seamless smartphone connectivity. The CX-50’s infotainment system is further enhanced with Alexa Built-in, allowing drivers to make hands-free voice commands for tasks like changing the temperature or radio station. In addition, the CX-50 offers Mazda Online Navigation, which provides expanded route guidance with select off-road trail mapping.
In terms of driver-assistance technologies, the CX-50 is equipped with Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE safety features. These include rear seat alerts, vehicle exit warnings, and an improved version of Smart Brake Support that includes provisions for nighttime pedestrian detection and head-on collision mitigation.
On the other hand, the 2025 Honda CR-V offers a decent set of technology features, including wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility and a Bose premium sound system. However, it doesn’t quite measure up to the comprehensive and intuitive technology package offered by the CX-50. This makes the 2025 Mazda CX-50 the clear winner in terms of advanced technology features.
Safety and Reliability
The CX-50 comes with advanced safety features like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. It also includes strategically positioned airbags throughout the cabin for passenger protection, such as front side-impact airbags, side-impact air curtains with rollover protection, and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. Recognized with the Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the CX-50 demonstrates its top-tier safety standards.
Conversely, the 2025 Honda CR-V offers safety features like collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. However, it falls short of the comprehensive safety package provided by the CX-50. The Honda CR-V, although boasting solid safety features, has not undergone crash testing by the IIHS or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Interior
The 2025 Mazda CX-50’s interior exudes luxury and comfort with its handsomely designed cabin featuring upscale materials. It offers powered side mirrors with memory adjust, heated rear seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Additionally, the CX-50 boasts a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, and a full-color Active Driving Display projected on the windshield.
In contrast, the 2025 Honda CR-V, with its minimalist layout and expansive sightlines, doesn’t quite achieve the same luxurious feel as the Mazda CX-50’s interior. While the CR-V features a Bose premium sound system, active grille shutters, and ambient lighting, the Mazda CX-50’s interior, with its upscale materials and advanced features, provides a more luxurious and comfortable experience.
Experience the Mazda CX-50 at Capistrano Mazda
In the growing market of compact SUVs, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 stands out as a superior choice compared to the 2025 Honda CR-V. With its sleek design, superior performance, advanced technology, top-tier safety, and luxurious comfort, the CX-50 has the edge. We invite you to visit us at Capistrano Mazda in San Juan Capistrano to test drive the Mazda CX-50 and experience its excellence firsthand. Our team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect vehicle, and we’re confident you’ll fall in love with the CX-50. Contact us today to explore everything the 2025 Mazda CX-50 has to offer.
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