2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

$30,500 · Crossover

$36,400 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 ignites passion with its sleek, outdoorsy design and sharp handling, offering a spirited 187 hp from its standard engine and achieving an impressive 28 MPG combined. Conversely, the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder roars into contention with significantly more muscle, boasting 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque for effortless highway merging. While the CX-50 shines with better efficiency, achieving 31 MPG highway on regular unleaded, the Pathfinder’s larger footprint means a slightly thirstier 23 MPG combined. Price separation is substantial, with the CX-50 starting at $30,500 versus the Pathfinder’s $36,400 MSRP. This comparison pits Mazda's focused driving dynamics and superior fuel economy against Nissan's raw power advantage and larger physical dimensions.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 28 MPG versus the Pathfinder's 23 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is better suited for families needing interior space, evidenced by its larger overall dimensions and superior passenger/towing capability implied by its 97 hp advantage.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

Enthusiasts seeking outright acceleration will prefer the Pathfinder’s substantial 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque compared to the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 offers significantly better value, priced $5,900 lower than the Pathfinder while still delivering standard All-Wheel Drive.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Your budget is tight, as the CX-50 starts $5,900 less than the Pathfinder at $30,500 MSRP.
Fuel economy is a priority, as the CX-50 delivers 28 MPG combined versus the Pathfinder's 23 MPG.
You prefer a slightly more compact and agile vehicle, measuring 185.8 inches in length.

Choose the Nissan Pathfinder if...

You absolutely need maximum power, benefiting from the Pathfinder's 284 hp engine.
More passenger/towing capacity is necessary, suggested by the Pathfinder’s much larger physical size (70.9 inches tall).
A smoother transmission experience is desired, provided by the Pathfinder's modern 9-speed automatic.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Nissan Pathfinder
Length	185.8"	197.7"
Width	75.6"	77.9"
Height	63.5"	70.9"
Wheelbase	110.8"	114.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	284 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/31 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/492.9 mi.	370.0/499.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
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	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	42.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	53.6 in.	58.3 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Manual
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.8 in.	35.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	59.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.1 in.	56.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	255/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
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 Mazda CX-50 and 2025 Nissan Pathfinder.

How significant is the power difference between the 2025 CX-50 and the 2025 Pathfinder?

The difference is substantial, with the Pathfinder producing 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, giving it 97 more horsepower than the CX-50's 187 hp rating. This extra power means the Pathfinder will feel noticeably quicker during acceleration and passing maneuvers.

Which crossover is the better choice for saving money on fuel costs?

The Mazda CX-50 is the clear winner for fuel efficiency, achieving a combined 28 MPG. The Nissan Pathfinder returns a lower 23 MPG combined, meaning owners of the CX-50 will save roughly $500 annually in fuel, depending on driving habits.

Is the CX-50 small enough to be better suited for city driving than the Pathfinder?

Yes, the CX-50 is physically smaller, measuring 185.8 inches long compared to the Pathfinder's 197.7 inches. This slightly smaller footprint, combined with its standard All-Wheel Drive, should make navigating tight city streets and parking garages easier.

What is the total price difference between the base models?

There is a significant $5,900 price gap between the two base models. The 2025 Mazda CX-50 starts at $30,500, while the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder begins at $36,400.

Does the CX-50 sacrifice cargo space for better MPG?

The CX-50 does offer less utility space, listing 31.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. However, the Pathfinder provides substantially more, with 16.6 cu ft more capacity, indicating it is significantly larger inside.

Which vehicle uses a more modern transmission setup?

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder utilizes a more contemporary 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the 2025 Mazda CX-50 retains a 6-speed shiftable automatic for its powertrain delivery.