2024 Mazda CX-50 vs. Kia Sportage 

In 2024, competition in the compact SUV market has never been fiercer. Two notable options, the Mazda CX-50 and the Kia Sportage, are both consistently rated at the top of the category, which makes consumers wonder which compact SUV is best. Read on to learn all the details about these two competitors so you can decide for yourself.

Overview of the Mazda CX-50 and Kia Sportage

Comparing the 2024 Mazda CX-50 to the Kia Sportage is natural, considering that both vehicles were “new” to the American market last year. Specifically, the Mazda CX-50 was an all-new addition to Mazda’s already strong SUV lineup, while the Kia Sportage had a complete makeover in 2023. This year, both vehicles remain the newcomers in the popular compact SUV class, and they have also experienced minor upgrades that are worth noting. For 2024, the Mazda CX-50 and Kia Sportage are ready to compete again for the top slot among compact SUV buyers.

Breaking Down Performance and Efficiency

When it comes to performance statistics, the Mazda CX-50 and the Kia Sportage stack up evenly. Both come equipped with a 2.5-liter, 187-horsepower (hp), four-cylinder engine. The Mazda offers 186 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque to the Kia’s 178 lb-ft. However, the way these statistics translate to the driving experience is where these two popular SUVs begin to deviate.

The CX-50, like all Mazda SUVs, comes with all-wheel drive (AWD) as a standard feature and is known for its responsive handling and engaging driving dynamics. Mazda vehicles often prioritize a sporty driving experience, and the CX-50 lives up to this reputation, offering a balanced blend of performance and efficiency.

On the other hand, the Kia Sportage focuses on delivering a comfortable and smooth ride rather than sportiness. In this way, the Sportage offers a more relaxed driving experience for everyday use.

Design and Aesthetics Face to Face

Drivers looking to really find a difference between the Mazda CX-50 and the Kia Sportage may want to start with the overall design and aesthetic for each vehicle. As compact SUVs, these two vehicles may be part of the same class, but their overall appearance is quite distinct. The CX-50 takes after its siblings in the Mazda lineup, which is renowned for its sleek and elegant designs. The CX-50 represents the sporty sibling of the Mazda family, with an athletic build that includes a lower roof line and higher ground clearance intended to make off-roading and loading easier. However, the CX-50 still incorporates the brand’s signature Kodo design language, which focuses on smooth lines that reflect nature.

The Kia Sportage, on the other hand, has a more typical compact SUV build, standing about two inches taller than the CX-50 with a shorter ground clearance. For the 2023 redesign, Kia focused on technology over sportiness with a more aggressive and dynamic design. The look of the 2024 Sportage has the same style, with features such as LED lights that angle toward the grill, front-facing fog lights, and turn signals on the shell of each side mirror.

Comfort and Technology Inside the Cabin

While outside style is noticeable to everyone, interior comfort and connectivity matter to many drivers and passengers. In this case, both the CX-50 and the Sportage have something unique to offer. Mazda prioritizes comfort and refinement in its vehicles, with well-crafted interiors and attention to noise isolation.

The CX-50 offers a comfortable and quiet cabin with material upgrades that speak to its rugged spirit. This includes an optional terra cotta interior, hard-wearing accents, and stitching that reflects the laces of hiking boots. Comfort and beauty are also a priority with features such as a heated steering wheel and climate-controlled seats as well as an optional panoramic moonroof. As for technology, the CX-50 features a 10.25-inch full-color display, wireless charging pad, and the option to include in-car Wi-Fi.

The Kia’s interior is outfitted a bit differently, with its focus more squarely on the technology features that the Sportage offers. For example, the Kia’s seats are sturdy but made of more practical upholstery with a few nice additions, such as heating and ventilation functions. Its technology is far more focused and includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen that features bold, neon icons along with a wireless charging pad and USB-A and USB–C ports in the front and rear of the vehicle.

Safety Features and Driver Support Showdown

Safety is a priority for both Mazda and Kia. In 2023, both the Mazda CX-50 and the Kia Sportage earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick ratings, which identify the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories during a given year. The reasons for these ratings include several top safety features in both vehicles that drivers should note.

First, the Mazda CX-50 offers an adaptive front lighting system that helps drivers with night driving, an active driving display that helps keep your focus on the road, and a 360-degree view monitor. In addition, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 comes equipped with Mazda’s full i-Activsense® system, which provides features such as blind spot monitoring, traffic jam assist, and rear traffic alert.

Similarly, the Kia Sportage has several technology-focused safety features designed to keep drivers and passengers safe. This includes a blind spot and panoramic view monitor, rear parking sensors, a safe exit warning, and rear following assistance.

Environmental Impact and Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is another category where the CX-50 and Sportage are pretty much on par with one another. Where the 2024 Mazda CX-50 gets 24 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, the Kia Sportage comes in at 25/33.

Affordability and Long-Term Value

The overall value of both the Mazda CX-50 and the Kia Sportage is pretty high, as both of these vehicles are among the top-rated and requested models in their class. Mazda, specifically, is known for its high return and long-term value across all models. When it comes to price, both the Mazda and Kia offer an affordable option with the potential to upgrade.

The base price for the 2024 Mazda CX-50 is $30,300 with its highest, most upgraded trim, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, starting at $43,300. Similarly, the lowest trim of the 2024 Kia Sportage, the LX, starts at $27,190, and its highest trim, the Sportage X-Pro Prestige, starts at $37,990.

Discover the Mazda CX-50 Advantage at Your Local Dealership

Are you ready to learn more about the experience of driving the 2024 Mazda CX-50? Stop by DePaula Mazda in Albany, NY, today to learn more. We have a variety of 2024 CX-50 options available for you to compare, and we are happy to let you experience them all from behind the wheel. Contact us to test drive the CX-50 today.