2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2025 Mazda CX-5
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz bursts onto the scene with a unique pickup-like utility, boasting a length of 195.7 inches and producing 191 hp, appealing to those needing a compact hauler. In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 focuses on taut handling and packaging efficiency, being significantly shorter at 180.1 inches, while offering standard All-Wheel Drive. While both crossovers sip regular unleaded fuel achieving a 25 MPG combined rating, the Santa Cruz delivers slightly more torque at 181 lb-ft compared to the CX-5’s 186 lb-ft despite its slight horsepower lead. The CX-5 compensates for its smaller footprint with a practical 30.8 cu ft of cargo space, whereas the Santa Cruz's unique tailgate design opens possibilities for open-air transport, making the choice one between flexible utility and traditional polished driving dynamics, all beginning at virtually the same MSRP near $28,750.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 wins for commuters due to its slightly better highway efficiency (29 MPG vs 30 MPG) and standard All-Wheel Drive.
2025 Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 offers superior contained storage with 30.8 cu ft of dedicated cargo capacity compared to the Santa Cruz's open-bed configuration.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz appeals more to enthusiasts seeking novelty and power, offering 191 hp and a longer 195.7-inch wheelbase for a different kind of road presence.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz slightly undercuts the CX-5 on starting price ($28,750 vs $28,770) while offering more standard horsepower.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You prioritize a distinctive, truck-adjacent utility with a 195.7-inch overall length.
- You want the slightly higher base output of 191 horsepower.
- You prefer the slightly more efficient 8-speed automatic transmission for highway cruising (30 MPG highway).
Choose the Mazda CX-5 if...
- You require guaranteed grip with standard All-Wheel Drive right off the line.
- You need a measured cargo volume of 30.8 cu ft within an enclosed space.
- You prefer the tighter handling footprint enabled by its 180.1-inch length.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7" | 180.1" |
| Width | 75.0" | 72.6" |
| Height | 66.7" | 66.1" |
| Wheelbase | 118.3" | 106.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm | 187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 186 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/30 MPG | 23/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 389.4/531.0 mi. | 351.9/443.7 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 15.3 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Air Conditioning | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 10.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Memory Card Slot | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 57.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.1 in. | 54.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.5 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | 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 | 245/60R18 | P225/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2025 Mazda CX-5.
Does the standard FWD on the Santa Cruz hurt its all-weather capability compared to the CX-5?
Yes, the standard Front Wheel Drive on the 2025 Santa Cruz is inherently less capable in snow and low-traction scenarios than the CX-5's standard All-Wheel Drive system. While the Santa Cruz offers AWD optionally, base models will favor the CX-5 for harsh weather commuting.
How significant is the size difference between these two vehicles?
The difference is substantial, with the Santa Cruz being 195.7 inches long compared to the CX-5's 180.1 inches, making the Hyundai over 15 inches longer. This translates to a larger vehicle overall, despite both sharing similar heights around 66 inches.
Which vehicle uses less fuel in city driving?
The Mazda CX-5 shows a minor advantage in city driving, rated at 23 MPG City compared to the Santa Cruz's 22 MPG City. Both vehicles achieve the same 25 MPG combined rating and use regular unleaded fuel.
Is the extra length of the Santa Cruz reflected in more usable interior space?
Not necessarily for enclosed cargo; the CX-5 offers 30.8 cu ft of cargo capacity. The Santa Cruz’s extra 15 inches of length primarily contribute to its open bed structure and overall vehicle footprint, not standard enclosed storage volume.
How do the base powerplants compare in output?
The Santa Cruz edges out the CX-5 slightly in the base setup, producing 191 horsepower against the CX-5's 187 horsepower. However, the CX-5 delivers slightly more low-end grunt with 186 lb-ft of torque versus the Santa Cruz's 181 lb-ft.
Are there major differences in transmission technology?
Yes, the Santa Cruz utilizes a more modern 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which often suggests smoother shifting and potentially better performance integration than the 6-speed shiftable automatic found in the 2025 Mazda CX-5.
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