Compare the2026 Kia Sportage PHEVVS 2025 Mazda CX-5

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Kia Sportage PHEV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Sportage PHEV achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mazda CX-5 which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Sportage PHEV’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-5 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Sportage PHEV and CX-5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage PHEV has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CX-5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Kia Sportage PHEV has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The CX-5 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

The Sportage PHEV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage PHEV 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-5 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 46 percent more Kia dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sportage PHEV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 4 places higher in reliability than Mazda.

The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (261 vs. 187) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 185) than the CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 5 more horsepower (261 vs. 256) than the CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Sportage PHEV is faster than the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl.:

	Sportage PHEV	CX-5
Zero to 30 MPH	2.7 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	85 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPGe
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	Electric Motor	87 city/78 hwy
CX-5
			MPG
	AWD	Carbon/Premium Plus 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		S/Select/Preferred 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/36 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	Carbon/Premium Plus 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		S/Select/Preferred 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

The Sportage PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 34 miles. The CX-5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Sportage PHEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sportage PHEV uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-5 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage PHEV higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-5 (4 to 6). This means the Sportage PHEV produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-5 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Sportage PHEV’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	Sportage PHEV	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches

The Sportage PHEV stops much shorter than the CX-5:

	Sportage PHEV	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Sportage PHEV has larger tires than the CX-5 (235/55R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Sportage PHEV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage PHEV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-5.

The Sportage PHEV has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage PHEV’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the CX-5 (108.5 inches vs. 106.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage PHEV is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-5.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the CX-5 Turbo Signature pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 (8.3 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Sportage PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Sportage PHEV’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo (8.3 vs. 7.9 inches).

The front grille of the Sportage PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sportage PHEV has .4 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-5 with its rear seat up (34.5 vs. 29.1 cubic feet). The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (65.5 vs. 59.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage PHEV’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage PHEV uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Sportage PHEV and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage PHEV is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Sportage PHEV’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sportage PHEV’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Sportage PHEV’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Premium/Turbo.

When the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CX-5’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Sportage PHEV has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage PHEV has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Kia Sportage PHEV’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sportage PHEV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the CX-5 Carbon/Premium Plus/Turbo offers wireless charging.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage PHEV and the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Mazda CX-5 by 34% during 2025.