2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Buick Enclave

$30,500 · Crossover

$46,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between a spirited compact crossover and a plush, larger machine often boils down to budget versus sheer size and power. The 2025 Mazda CX-50 starts affordably at $30,500, offering a very respectable 28 MPG combined, making it the efficient choice for daily drives. Conversely, the 2026 Buick Enclave enters at a steep $46,200 but rewards drivers with significantly more muscle: 328 hp compared to the Mazda's 187 hp. This massive 141 hp difference is noticeable when passing or merging. While the CX-50 sips fuel more efficiently (25/31 MPG city/highway), the Enclave is substantially larger, measuring over 22 inches longer, though it sacrifices cargo space versatility slightly, offering 31.4 cu ft versus the Buick's 22.9 cu ft in the standard configuration. The $15,700 starting price gap is the primary factor separating these two segment neighbors.

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 28 MPG combined fuel economy and lower cost of entry.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Buick Enclave

The significantly larger 2026 Buick Enclave, being a bigger crossover, will generally offer more passenger space for families despite slightly lower stated cargo volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Buick Enclave

The 2026 Buick Enclave is the enthusiast's pick, offering a massive 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque compared to the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

With a $15,700 lower MSRP and significantly better fuel efficiency, the Mazda CX-50 provides substantially better value.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

Your primary concern is keeping running costs down, leveraging the 28 MPG combined fuel economy.
You appreciate standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied weather conditions.
You prefer a lower initial purchase price, starting $15,700 less than the Enclave at $30,500.

Choose the Buick Enclave if...

You prioritize raw acceleration and power, benefiting from the Enclave's 328 horsepower.
You need the added comfort and presence of a much larger vehicle (207.6 inches long).
You desire a high-output engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission for smoother highway cruising.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Buick Enclave
Length	185.8"	207.6"
Width	75.6"	79.6"
Height	63.5"	71.0"
Wheelbase	110.8"	120.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Buick
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	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Buick
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	328 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	Mazda	Buick
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Buick
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.	388.0/523.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	19.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Buick
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	✓	✓
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Sun Sensor	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Buick
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	30.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	12
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bose
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Buick
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	42.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	62.2 in.
Front Hip Room	53.6 in.	58.7 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	2-way
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Buick
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.8 in.	41.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	62.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.1 in.	58.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Buick
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Buick
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.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and 2026 Buick Enclave.

Is the 2026 Buick Enclave much bigger than the 2025 Mazda CX-50?

Yes, the size difference is substantial; the Enclave is 207.6 inches long and 79.6 inches wide, making it much bulkier than the CX-50's 185.8-inch length.

Which car is significantly more powerful?

The 2026 Buick Enclave is the powerhouse, delivering 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, which easily overshadows the 187 hp and 185 lb-ft offered by the 2025 Mazda CX-50.

How large is the difference in fuel efficiency?

The Mazda CX-50 is clearly more economical, achieving 28 MPG combined, whereas the larger, more powerful Enclave is rated for only 23 MPG combined.

Does the higher price of the Enclave get me more cargo space?

Surprisingly, no; the Mazda CX-50 actually boasts more cargo capacity at 31.4 cu ft compared to the Enclave's 22.9 cu ft.

What is the primary drivetrain difference between these two crossovers?

The CX-50 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive for better traction, while the Enclave uses a Front Wheel Drive setup for its base model.

Are both cars able to use regular unleaded gasoline?

Yes, both the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2026 Buick Enclave are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps offset some of the Enclave's higher running costs.