2025 GMC Acadia vs 2025 Mazda CX-50

$42,900 · Crossover

$30,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When facing the choice between a substantial family hauler and a nimble daily driver, buyers are often torn by budget versus capability. The 2025 GMC Acadia starts at a much higher MSRP of $42,900 compared to the Mazda CX-50's appealing $30,500 entry point, a difference of $12,400. However, the Acadia offers significantly more muscle, boasting 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, thoroughly dwarfing the CX-50's 187 hp output. This power comes at a cost: the Acadia achieves a combined 23 MPG, lagging behind the CX-50's efficiency rating of 28 MPG. While the larger Acadia measures 204.0 inches long, the smaller CX-50 surprisingly offers more primary storage, delivering 31.4 cu ft of cargo space versus the Acadia's 23 cu ft. Deciding often boils down to whether you prioritize budget efficiency or sheer brute force for your family adventures.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 wins for commuters due to its superior 28 MPG combined fuel economy and smaller dimensions.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 GMC Acadia

The 2025 GMC Acadia is better for families needing maximum interior volume, despite having less base cargo space listed, as its substantially larger overall footprint implies greater third-row/passenger room potential.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 GMC Acadia

The Acadia provides 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, far exceeding the CX-50's power figures for spirited driving.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 offers better value, undercutting the Acadia's MSRP by $12,400 while providing better MPG.

Choose the GMC Acadia if...

You require substantial horsepower, needing the 328 hp output for towing or merging quickly.
Your budget allows for the $42,900 MSRP and you prefer the larger exterior dimensions (204.0 inches long).
You want a vehicle with a modern 8-speed automatic transmission paired with higher torque (326 lb-ft).

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Maximizing fuel efficiency is key, given its 28 MPG combined rating versus the Acadia's 23 MPG.
You are prioritizing cost savings, as the CX-50 is $12,400 cheaper at the base level.
You prefer All-Wheel Drive standard, which the CX-50 offers against the Acadia's Front Wheel Drive base configuration.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Acadia	Mazda CX-50
Length	204.0"	185.8"
Width	79.6"	75.6"
Height	70.1"	63.5"
Wheelbase	120.9"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5500 rpm	187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	0/0 mi.	397.5/492.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	—	15.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Infotainment Display	15.0 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	12	8
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	GMC	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	39.1 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	55.9 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	53.6 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	53.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.4 in.	52.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	P225/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	GMC	Mazda
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 GMC Acadia and 2025 Mazda CX-50.

How does the power difference between these two crossovers actually feel on the road?

The difference is significant: the Acadia puts out 328 hp, while the CX-50 offers 187 hp. For quick acceleration or highway passing, the Acadia’s extra 141 horsepower will be immediately noticeable, making the CX-50 feel more adequate than exciting.

Despite the Acadia being much larger, why does the CX-50 list more cargo capacity?

While the Acadia is 204.0 inches long, the CX-50 boasts 31.4 cu ft versus the Acadia's 23 cu ft. This suggests the CX-50 is optimized for cargo behind the second row, whereas the Acadia's size likely accommodates third-row seating more comfortably.

Is the Acadia’s higher fuel consumption worth the power boost for daily driving?

If your commute is long, sacrificing 5 MPG (23 combined for Acadia vs. 28 combined for CX-50) will lead to noticeable yearly fuel cost increases, especially when using regular unleaded fuel in both.

What is the primary drivetrain difference between the 2025 Acadia and CX-50?

The standard drive types are opposed; the 2025 GMC Acadia comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, whereas the 2025 Mazda CX-50 standardizes All-Wheel Drive.

How much money am I saving by choosing the CX-50 over the Acadia initially?

You save a substantial $12,400 off the base MSRP, as the Acadia starts at $42,900 and the CX-50 begins at $30,500.

Does the Acadia’s larger size equate to a more sophisticated transmission?

The Acadia uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic, which is one step more advanced than the 6-speed shiftable automatic found in the CX-50, potentially leading to smoother operation at cruising speeds.