2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2026 Kia Sorento

$30,500 · Crossover

$32,190 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 offers an engaging, nearly premium feel focused on agility, while the 2026 Kia Sorento leans into practicality and size. The Mazda immediately excites with standard All-Wheel Drive and a slightly better combined fuel economy of 28 MPG, appealing to those who value confident handling. It achieves 187 hp from its engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic. Conversely, the Sorento boasts a higher 191 hp output, though its FWD configuration yields a lower 26 MPG combined. The Kia provides substantial physical presence, being nearly four inches taller at 66.7 inches compared to the CX-50’s 63.5 inches. Despite its larger footprint (189.6 inches long vs. 185.8 inches), the Sorento shockingly offers less cargo space at just 12.6 cubic feet versus the CX-50’s 31.4 cubic feet, a significant divergence for utility buyers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The CX-50 wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 28 MPG compared to the Sorento's 26 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sorento

Although the cargo numbers are counter-intuitive, the Sorento's taller stance (66.7 inches) suggests a larger overall cabin volume better suited for families needing headroom or potentially more seating rows.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-50

The CX-50's standard All-Wheel Drive and slightly more balanced torque output of 185 lb-ft promise a more spirited and planted driving dynamic.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The CX-50 starts at a lower MSRP of $30,500 and delivers better fuel efficiency across the board.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

You prioritize driving feel and standard AWD capability for unpredictable weather.
You are looking for the most economical running costs, reflected in its 28 MPG combined rating.
You prefer a lower starting MSRP of $30,500 for a premium-feeling crossover.

Choose the Kia Sorento if...

You need the taller profile (66.7 inches high) for increased ingress/egress comfort or headroom.
You prefer the slightly higher peak horsepower rating of 191 hp.
You are comfortable with a FWD setup and value the 8-speed automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Kia Sorento
Length	185.8"	189.6"
Width	75.6"	74.8"
Height	63.5"	66.7"
Wheelbase	110.8"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

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

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Kia
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	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	181 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	Mazda	Kia
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/31 MPG	23/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/492.9 mi.	407.1/548.7 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	17.7 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	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	40.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	59.1 in.
Front Hip Room	53.6 in.	55.6 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	4-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.8 in.	41.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.1 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	235/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear 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-50 and 2026 Kia Sorento.

How does the powertrain performance compare between the two crossovers?

The 2026 Kia Sorento edges out the Mazda CX-50 slightly on raw power, producing 191 hp versus the CX-50’s 187 hp. However, the CX-50 offers better torque delivery at 185 lb-ft compared to the Sorento's 181 lb-ft, which might feel more immediate at lower speeds.

Which vehicle offers better efficiency for highway travel?

Both vehicles manage an identical 31 MPG on the highway, but the 2025 Mazda CX-50 is noticeably more efficient in stop-and-go city driving, achieving 25 MPG versus the Sorento's 23 MPG.

Is there a significant difference in size or maneuverability?

The Mazda CX-50 is shorter in length (185.8 inches) and marginally narrower than the Sorento (189.6 inches long), suggesting the CX-50 might feel slightly more nimble in tight urban environments.

Why is the Kia Sorento cargo capacity so much lower in the specs?

Despite the Sorento being the physically longer and taller vehicle, its stated cargo capacity of 12.6 cu ft is vastly smaller than the CX-50’s 31.4 cu ft; this suggests the Sorento configuration being compared likely includes a third row in use, significantly limiting rear storage.

Which vehicle comes standard with All-Wheel Drive?

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 includes All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment across its lineup. In contrast, the base 2026 Kia Sorento reviewed here utilizes a Front Wheel Drive setup, meaning AWD would likely be an added cost.

What is the price difference between these two competing crossovers?

The Mazda CX-50 holds a slight MSRP advantage at $30,500, making it $1,690 cheaper than the starting price listed for the 2026 Kia Sorento at $32,190.