2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Honda Passport

$30,500 · Crossover

$44,750 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 offers an undeniably spirited, premium-feeling drive that punches above its accessible $30,500 MSRP. It masters efficiency, achieving an impressive 28 combined MPG, making daily driving economical. In stark contrast, the rugged 2026 Honda Passport throws down the muscle, boasting a muscular 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, ready for serious adventure, though it sacrifices efficiency for power, returning only 21 combined MPG. This comparison boils down to finesse versus force: the CX-50, at 185.8 inches long, prioritizes agile handling with 187 hp, while the larger Passport (191.5 inches long) emphasizes raw capability. For those seeking substantial capability, the Passport’s extra $14,250 price tag unlocks a significant 98 hp advantage and 44 cu ft of cargo space versus the Mazda’s 31.4 cu ft.

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 combined MPG, significantly lowering running costs compared to the Passport's 21 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Honda Passport

The 2026 Honda Passport offers significantly more utility for families with its substantial 44 cu ft of cargo capacity, eclipsing the CX-50's 31.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Honda Passport

Enthusiasts will prefer the Passport for its commanding 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, providing substantially more immediate performance than the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 provides an excellent balance of features and efficiency for its $30,500 MSRP, easily outclassing the Passport's $44,750 entry point for everyday users.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

You prioritize fuel economy, as the CX-50 delivers 28 combined MPG.
Your budget is firm, with the CX-50 starting at an attractive $30,500 MSRP.
You prefer a slightly more nimble vehicle footprint, measured at 185.8 inches in length.

Choose the Honda Passport if...

You require serious hauling capability, leveraging the Passport's 44 cu ft of cargo space.
Maximum power is necessary, utilizing the Passport's 285 hp output.
You prefer the smoother shifting experience of a 10-speed automatic transmission over the CX-50's 6-speed.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Honda Passport
Length	185.8"	191.5"
Width	75.6"	79.4"
Height	63.5"	73.1"
Wheelbase	110.8"	113.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Honda
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	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Honda
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	285 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	262 lb-ft @ 5000 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	Honda
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Honda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/31 MPG	19/25 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/492.9 mi.	351.5/462.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Honda
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	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Honda
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	9
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Stereo Power	—	225W
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Honda
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Honda
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	40.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	61.9 in.
Front Hip Room	53.6 in.	58.3 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leather/Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Honda
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.8 in.	40.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	61.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.1 in.	57.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Honda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	265/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Honda
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	—	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and 2026 Honda Passport.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Honda Passport than the 2025 Mazda CX-50?

The Passport offers a substantial advantage in power, delivering 285 hp compared to the CX-50's 187 hp. This results in a 98 hp difference that enthusiasts will certainly notice during acceleration.

What is the biggest practical difference for a daily driver choosing between these two crossovers?

The key difference for commuting is efficiency: the CX-50 achieves 28 combined MPG, while the Passport only manages 21 combined MPG, leading to notably lower running costs for the Mazda.

Is the extra cost of the Passport justified by increased space?

Yes, the Passport's $44,750 MSRP covers significantly more space, offering 44 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is nearly 13 cubic feet more than the CX-50's 31.4 cu ft.

Which vehicle uses regular unleaded fuel?

Both the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the 2026 Honda Passport are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping the cost of refueling competitive for both powertrains.

Does the CX-50's smaller size make it worse for families than the Passport?

While both are crossovers, the Passport's larger dimensions (191.5 inches long vs. 185.8 inches for the Mazda) directly translate to greater interior volume and usable cargo space for family duties.

What mechanical features do these two vehicles share?

Both vehicles come standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) systems, ensuring sure-footed traction in various conditions. However, the Passport utilizes a more modern 10-speed automatic transmission compared to the CX-50's 6-speed unit.