2025 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Mazda CX-50
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Hyundai Tucson leaps forward with its efficiency and accessible entry point at an MSRP of $28,705, boasting an impressive 28 MPG combined. It offers a generous 38.7 cu ft of cargo space in its FWD configuration, appealing to practical users. Conversely, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 injects excitement with its standard All-Wheel Drive system and a slight edge in torque at 185 lb-ft, perfectly complementing its sporty stance. While both twins share the same 187 hp output, the Mazda’s dynamic appeal is heightened by its lower stance (63.5 inches vs. Tucson's 65.6 inches) despite carrying a slightly higher starting price of $29,900. The Tucson’s focus on maximizing efficiency and space contrasts sharply with the CX-50’s dedication to sure-footed driving dynamics, making the choice one between optimized utility and spirited handling.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson wins for daily commuting due to its superior fuel economy of 25/33 MPG city/highway.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
Families will benefit significantly from the Tucson's larger 38.7 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the CX-50's 31.4 cu ft.
2026 Mazda CX-50
The CX-50 offers a more engaging drive with standard AWD and slightly more torque at 185 lb-ft.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson provides a lower barrier to entry with an MSRP that is $1,195 less than the CX-50.
Choose the Hyundai Tucson if...
- You prioritize maximizing fuel stops, enjoying 28 MPG combined.
- Your budget is firm, as the $28,705 MSRP undercuts the Mazda.
- You need maximum hauling capability, leveraging the 38.7 cu ft cargo space.
Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...
- You demand standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied conditions.
- You prefer a slightly more aggressive stance, evidenced by the lower 63.5-inch height.
- You appreciate the extra 7 lb-ft of torque for marginally better acceleration feel.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Tucson | Mazda CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.7" | 185.8" |
| Width | 73.4" | 75.6" |
| Height | 65.6" | 63.5" |
| Wheelbase | 108.5" | 110.8" |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 187 hp @ 6100 rpm | 187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 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 | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/33 MPG | 24/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 28 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 357.5/471.9 mi. | 381.6/477.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.3 gal. | 15.9 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 8 |
| 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) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.1 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.6 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.5 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.9 in. | 52.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | P225/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
| 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 Tucson and 2026 Mazda CX-50.
Which crossover has better city fuel economy?
The 2025 Hyundai Tucson is the clear winner for city efficiency, achieving 25 MPG in the city compared to the 2026 Mazda CX-50's 24 MPG. This slight advantage, coupled with its higher highway rating of 33 MPG, makes the Tucson the thriftier choice overall.
Is the CX-50 worth the higher starting price over the Tucson?
The CX-50 starts at $29,900, making it $1,195 more expensive than the Tucson's $28,705 MSRP. The premium buys you standard All-Wheel Drive and slightly more torque, features that enthusiasts often value highly.
How much more cargo space does the Tucson offer?
The Tucson provides substantially more vertical utility, offering 38.7 cu ft of cargo space. This is significantly more than the CX-50, which maxes out at 31.4 cu ft behind the rear seats.
Do these crossovers offer the same power?
Both vehicles share an identical 187 horsepower rating from their engines. However, the CX-50 edges out the Tucson slightly in twisting force, delivering 185 lb-ft of torque versus the Tucson's 178 lb-ft.
Which vehicle uses a more traditional transmission?
The 2025 Tucson utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic, providing more steps for smoother efficiency. The 2026 CX-50 employs a 6-speed shiftable automatic, which is often preferred by drivers who enjoy a more direct connection to the drivetrain.
Is the ground clearance significantly different between these two?
While specific ground clearance numbers aren't provided, the height difference indicates the Tucson is taller at 65.6 inches versus the CX-50's lower profile of 63.5 inches. This suggests the CX-50 has a more grounded, enthusiast-oriented stance.
More Budget SUVs Under $30,000
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool