2025 Honda CR-V vs 2025 Mazda CX-90
Comparison Overview
Deciding between efficiency and sheer driving fun often defines the crossover purchase, especially when comparing the 2025 Honda CR-V and the 2025 Mazda CX-90. The CR-V is the sensible choice, boasting a solid 30 MPG combined efficiency for commuters looking to save at the pump, starting at an accessible $30,100 MSRP. Conversely, the CX-90 offers significantly more muscle with 280 hp compared to the CR-V's 190 hp, but this power comes at a cost: its efficiency dips to 25 MPG combined, and its starting price is nearly $8,000 higher at $38,045. While the CR-V is smaller at 184.8 inches long, making it nimble, the CX-90 prioritizes performance and larger dimensions. If squeezing every mile per gallon is key, the CR-V wins; if raw torque (332 lb-ft in the Mazda) matters more, the CX-90 delivers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Honda CR-V
The 2025 Honda CR-V wins for commuters due to its superior 30 MPG combined fuel economy and lower initial cost.
2025 Honda CR-V
Although the CX-90 is physically larger, the CR-V offers nearly three times the usable cargo space (39.3 cu ft vs 14.9 cu ft) for hauling family gear.
2025 Mazda CX-90
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 clearly appeals more to enthusiasts with its substantial advantage of 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Honda CR-V
The CR-V provides substantially better financial value by offering better mileage and an $7,945 lower starting MSRP.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- You drive a significant distance daily and prioritizing fuel economy is critical, given its 30 MPG combined rating.
- You need maximum accessible cargo volume, as the CR-V provides 39.3 cubic feet of space.
- Keeping the purchase price low is a major concern, starting at $30,100.
Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...
- You want robust acceleration, leveraging the CX-90's 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer standard All-Wheel Drive capability over the CR-V's Front Wheel Drive setup.
- You require the larger footprint and 8-speed automatic transmission experience of the CX-90.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda CR-V | Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.8" | 200.8" |
| Width | 73.5" | 78.5" |
| Height | 66.2" | 68.2" |
| Wheelbase | 106.3" | 122.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear 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 Solid 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 3.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm | 280 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/34 MPG | 24/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 392.0/476.0 mi. | 444.0/518.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.0 gal. | 18.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 10.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 160W | — |
| Speaker System | 4 | 8 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Memory Card Slot | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.9 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.6 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.2 in. | 39.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.6 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R | 265/55R19 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 19 x 8.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda CR-V and 2025 Mazda CX-90.
Is the Mazda CX-90 big enough to be considered a three-row vehicle?
While the provided specs don't explicitly state the seating capacity, the Mazda CX-90 is significantly longer at 200.8 inches compared to the CR-V's 184.8 inches, suggesting it is designed for larger passenger needs.
How much more power does the Mazda CX-90 have over the Honda CR-V?
The Mazda CX-90 delivers 90 more horsepower (280 hp vs 190 hp) and generates 153 lb-ft more torque (332 lb-ft vs 179 lb-ft), offering a much more spirited driving feel.
If I use regular unleaded fuel, how much more will I spend annually?
Considering the CR-V achieves 30 MPG combined versus the CX-90's 25 MPG, you will need to buy 20% more fuel for the same distance in the CX-90, impacting long-term running costs.
Does the CR-V's smaller size translate to less practical storage space?
Yes, in terms of pure cargo volume behind the second row, the CR-V offers 39.3 cu ft, which is significantly larger than the CX-90's listed 14.9 cu ft.
What is the primary mechanical difference in how these transmissions operate?
The CR-V uses a traditional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), while the CX-90 employs a modern 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which enthusiasts often prefer for more distinct gear changes.
Is the $7,945 price difference justified by the performance increase?
That premium pays for 90 more horsepower, standard All-Wheel Drive, and a larger body, but it drastically lowers the overall value proposition compared to the efficient and cheaper CR-V.
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