2025 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Kia Seltos

$28,770 · Crossover

$23,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 thrills with 187 horsepower, injecting genuine driver engagement into the compact crossover segment, a stark contrast to the 2026 Kia Seltos, which prioritizes pure efficiency. The CX-5 brings a premium feel, boasting 186 lb-ft of torque and standard All-Wheel Drive, paired with a responsive 6-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the Seltos captures value shoppers with a significantly lower MSRP of $23,690—a $5,080 saving over the Mazda—while delivering an impressive 31 MPG combined. While the CX-5 is slightly larger at 180.1 inches long, its base power advantage is clear over the Seltos's 147 hp output. Buyers seeking spirited driving will favor the Mazda's muscle, whereas budget-conscious urbanites will appreciate the Seltos’s superior fuel economy across its City/Highway ratings of 28/34 MPG.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Seltos

The 2026 Kia Seltos wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy rating of 31 MPG combined, promising lower running costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is better suited for families needing more stability, thanks to its standard All-Wheel Drive system.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offers significantly more driving excitement with its 187 hp engine compared to the Seltos's 147 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Seltos

The 2026 Kia Seltos offers superior value, undercutting the CX-5's MSRP by a substantial $5,080.

Choose the Mazda CX-5 if...

You desire an engaging drive where 187 hp feels spirited, even with the slightly lower 25 MPG combined rating.
You prefer the surety of standard All-Wheel Drive for varied weather conditions.
You need slightly more storage space, as the CX-5 offers 30.8 cu ft of cargo capacity.

Choose the Kia Seltos if...

Saving money upfront is paramount, evidenced by the $23,690 base MSRP versus the CX-5's $28,770.
Maximum efficiency is key, highlighted by the Seltos's impressive 34 MPG highway rating.
You prioritize a smaller footprint, with the Seltos measuring 172.6 inches long compared to the CX-5's 180.1 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-5	Kia Seltos
Length	180.1"	172.6"
Width	72.6"	70.9"
Height	66.1"	63.6"
Wheelbase	106.2"	103.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Kia
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	✓	✓
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 Preparation System	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 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	Mazda	Kia
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/29 MPG	28/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.9/443.7 mi.	369.6/448.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.3 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Kia
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	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Air Conditioning	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Cruise Control	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.1 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.2 in.	53.0 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	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.0 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.6 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.8 in.	54.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.3 in.	48.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	P215/55R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-5 and 2026 Kia Seltos.

Is the power difference between the CX-5 and Seltos noticeable in daily driving?

Yes, the difference is substantial; the 2025 Mazda CX-5 produces 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, giving it a clear advantage over the 2026 Kia Seltos's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft.

How much more expensive is the base Mazda CX-5?

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 carries an MSRP of $28,770, making it $5,080 more expensive than the 2026 Kia Seltos, which starts at $23,690.

Which crossover is the clear winner for maximizing fuel savings?

The 2026 Kia Seltos is the efficiency champion, achieving 31 MPG combined versus the CX-5's 25 MPG combined, a difference of 6 MPG.

Does the CX-5 or the Seltos come standard with All-Wheel Drive?

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is equipped with standard All-Wheel Drive, providing better traction management compared to the front-wheel-drive setup of the base 2026 Kia Seltos.

Is the transmission choice different between these two models?

Yes, the CX-5 uses a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Seltos utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).