2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Mazda CX-50

$40,200 · Crossover

$30,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between a dependable family hauler and a surprisingly capable smaller crossover often boils down to size versus savings. If you're stretching your budget, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 starts at a very appealing $30,500, significantly undercutting the 2025 Honda Pilot's $40,200 MSRP by nearly $10,000. However, the Pilot brings substantial muscle with 285 hp compared to the CX-50's 187 hp. This difference is also reflected in efficiency, as the CX-50 offers a notable 28 MPG combined, beating the Pilot's 22 MPG combined. While the Pilot is larger at 199.9 inches long, the CX-50 surprisingly offers more immediate utility with 31.4 cu ft of cargo space versus the Pilot's smaller 18.6 cu ft area, making this decision a trade-off between outright power and dollar-for-dollar efficiency and immediate practicality.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 is the better commuter choice thanks to its superior fuel economy, achieving 28 MPG combined versus the Pilot's 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot wins for families due to its larger overall dimensions and more substantial 285 hp engine for moving more passengers and gear confidently.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is more engaging for driving enthusiasts with significantly more power, offering 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 provides exceptional value, saving buyers $9,700 upfront while also saving money at the pump with better MPG.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

You need the confidence of superior engine output, boasting 285 hp for highway merging and towing.
Your passengers require maximum interior volume associated with the Pilot's larger body style.
You prefer the Pilot's smooth driving dynamics offered by the 10-speed automatic transmission.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Sticking close to the $30,500 base price point is crucial for your budget.
You prioritize maximum cargo flexibility, benefiting from the CX-50’s 31.4 cu ft capacity.
Fuel costs are a major concern, as the CX-50 delivers 6 MPG more combined efficiency (28 MPG vs 22 MPG).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-50
Length	199.9"	185.8"
Width	78.5"	75.6"
Height	71.0"	63.5"
Wheelbase	113.8"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	285 hp @ 6100 rpm	187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/27 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	397.5/492.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	15.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	240W	—
Speaker System	7	8
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	39.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	55.9 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	53.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	53.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	52.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	P225/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Mazda CX-50.

How much more fuel efficient is the Mazda CX-50 than the Honda Pilot?

The Mazda CX-50 holds a clear advantage here, offering a combined 28 MPG compared to the Honda Pilot's 22 MPG combined rating. This 6 MPG difference translates to fewer trips to the gas station over a year.

Is the 2025 Honda Pilot powerful enough to feel sluggish given its size?

No, the Pilot is quite potent with 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is substantially more output than the CX-50's 187 hp. This extra power helps move the larger crossover more briskly.

Which vehicle offers more usable storage space?

Despite being physically smaller, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 boasts more designated cargo volume, providing 31.4 cu ft versus the Honda Pilot's 18.6 cu ft behind the rear seats.

What is the actual price difference between these two crossovers?

There is a significant $9,700 price gap between the two vehicles, with the Pilot starting at $40,200 and the CX-50 beginning at a much lower $30,500 MSRP.

Do both vehicles use the same type of fuel?

Yes, thankfully, both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Mazda CX-50 run on readily available regular unleaded gasoline.

Which car is better for rough roads based on drivetrain?

The Mazda CX-50 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), while the base Honda Pilot utilizes Front Wheel Drive (FWD), giving the CX-50 a potential edge in slippery conditions.