2023 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2023 Honda CR-V Comparison: Learn More About These Popular Compact SUVs

Compact crossover SUVs are some of the most popular and recognizable vehicles on the American market. Drivers love these vehicles for their larger cargo space and versatility as well as their affordable prices and smaller profiles. Two of the most popular choices in this category, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V, both present drivers with top features and technology that make them worthy of comparison.

Ready to find out if the Mazda CX-5 or the Honda CR-V is the right crossover for you? Take a look at our quick breakdown of these compact crossovers’ performance, style, safety, and technology options to find out.

Performance

As a brand, Mazda is known as one of the “sportier” options on the market, notable for its precise handling and power options. For 2023, the manufacturer did not change much about the CX-5 and continued to equip all models with standard i-ACTIV® all-wheel drive (AWD) and a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower (hp) and 186 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. For those looking for more power, the CX-5 Turbo and CX-5 Turbo Signature models provide up to 227 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

Comparatively, the new and revised 2023 CR-V continues to be the more standard option on the market, with front-wheel drive (although AWD is available as an upgrade option) and a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Honda’s alternative engine option is a hybrid two-liter AWD capable of up to 204 hp.

Interior and Style

The upgraded, luxurious feel of the interior space is one of the most marked features of any Mazda vehicle, and the 2023 CX-5 does the brand justice with its design, which fully embraces the brand’s KODO: Soul of Motion philosophy.

Its interior is consciously styled with small additions, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel standard in all models.

Additionally, the CX-5 offers drivers 30.8 cubic feet of everyday cargo space and upgrade options that include a custom-designed 10-speaker Bose® audio system on several trim levels, thanks to Mazda’s long relationship with the world’s leading authority on audio technology, the Bose® Corporation.

For 2023, Honda also redesigned the interior of the CR-V to provide drivers with a more intentional and luxurious feel. This includes options for leather-trimmed seating as well as special sport styling in their hybrid models. Inside, the CR-V offers everyday cargo space at 59.3 cubic feet. The top model also includes an option for an upgraded Bose® surround sound system.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named both the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V as Top Safety Picks for 2023. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the 2023 Mazda CX-5 a five-star overall safety rating.

As of this writing, the NHTSA had not yet assigned a rating to the 2023 Honda CR-V. Several notable features in both vehicles have led to these accolades.

For the 2023 Mazda CX-5, notable standard safety features include dual front- and side-impact air bags, an anti-lock brake system with brake assist, and dynamic stability control.

Mazda also upgraded all trims of the 2023 CX-5 with additional safety features, such as a rearview monitor that includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, and a lane-departure warning system with lane-keep assist.

Higher trim levels include even more safety features, such as front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and Traffic Jam Assist technology.

Likewise, the Honda CR-V includes standard features like a rearview camera, airbags, and anti-lock brakes with a Collision Mitigation Braking System.

Honda also offers blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring as an add-on to its lower models. It’s only a standard feature in the top-of-the-line CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid. While Traffic Jam Assist is standard on all 2023 CR-V models, parking sensors are only included in the top trims.

Technology

Top technology inside and out defines both the CX-5 and CR-V models, but the specific features they offer differ in slight but notable ways. To start, both vehicles offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility on all models along with Bluetooth integration. In addition, the CX-5 includes a 10.25-inch full-color infotainment system, and the CR-V offers a 7-inch full-color touchscreen system.

Both Mazda and Honda offer their drivers additional technology features via external apps. The MyMazda app for the CX-5 allows drivers to remote start their vehicles, sends regular vehicle health reports, and keeps track of where drivers park.

The HondaLink® system provides drivers with vehicle feedback, including alerts based on driving behavior, and integrates with at-home Amazon Alexa devices.

Mazda CX-5 vs. Honda CR-V: Which Offers the Best Value for the Money?

Drivers throughout the Capital Region have different needs, but it’s worth mentioning that the 2023 Mazda CX-5 was named #1 in the compact SUV market and #1 in the crossover SUV market by U.S. News & World Report.

These accolades speak to the combined ability of the CX-5 in the fields of style, comfort, performance, and, perhaps most importantly, price. Specifically, the entry level Mazda 2023 CX-5 trim, the 2.5 S, starts at only $26,700. Conversely, the entry level 2023 Honda CR-V EX starts at $31,610. That’s a difference of nearly $5,000.

So, while those looking for a hybrid option or slightly more space in the cargo area may choose the CR-V, when it comes to style, performance, and price, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 seems to have the upper hand in presenting drivers with the best value in the market all around.

Test Drive the Mazda CX-5 at DePaula Mazda Today

Deciding on the right compact crossover SUV for yourself and your budget is not always straightforward, but at DePaula Mazda, we are here to help you take care of one of the most important parts of any crossover purchase decision, driving the vehicle itself. We invite you to contact us or stop by our Albany, NY, showroom today for a chance to learn what really makes the 2023 Mazda CX-5 stand out from the crowd — it is seriously fun to drive.