2018 Honda CR-V vs 2018 Mazda CX-5 Comparison
| 2018 Honda CR-V | 2018 Mazda CX-5 |
| REAR LEG ROOM | |
| 40.4 in. | 39.6 in. |
| CARGO SPACE | |
| 39.2 cu. ft. | 30.9 cu. ft. |
| FRONT HEAD ROOM | |
| 40.1 in. | 39.7 in. |
2018 Honda CR-V vs 2018 Mazda CX-5
Serving Hamilton, Trenton, and West Windsor, NJ
The Honda CR-V is often cited as being the beginning of the compact crossover market. In 1995, Honda started producing the vehicle for the 1997 model year after recognizing the need for a ride that had the shape and roominess of an SUV but also the fuel efficiency and maneuverability of a four-door sedan. Add that to Honda's established history for producing reliable automobiles, and the CR-V has been able to rule the compact crossover SUV market virtually unchallenged–until now. The last few years have seen other vehicles chipping away at the CR-V's perennial dominance. Chief among them is the Mazda CX-5, which has been around since 2012. Indeed, over the years it has impressed critics and consumers alike with its sports-like approach to the extent that U.S. News & World Report made it share first-place honors with the CR-V in its Compact SUVs category for the 2018 model year1. Ultimately, though, the CR-V is the one you should go with–and here's why:
Performance
On the 2018 Honda CR-V, you have two engine choices: a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4), which produces 184 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque; and a 1.5-liter turbocharged I4 that produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. The 2018 Mazda CX-5 only has one: a 2.5-liter I4 that produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The CR-V, by comparison, goes with a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, which, unlike the 6-speed automatic transmission, does not use gear shifting, which consumes energy. Rather, it changes seamlessly through a continuous range of effective gear ratios. Combining the CVT with the 1.5-liter turbo I4 and front-wheel drive boosts fuel economy.
Cargo Area
The abundance of cargo space on the 2018 Honda CR-V is often praised as one of the vehicle's chief attributes. The space between the rear seats and the liftgate is measured at 39.2 cubic feet, and you can fold down the rear seats to expand it into the cabin for a maximum cargo space of 75.8 cubic feet. On the 2018 Mazda CX-5, the standard cargo space is measured at 30.9 cubic feet (8.3 less cubic feet), and maximum cargo space is measured at 59.6 cubic feet (16.2 less cubic feet).
Front Crash Prevention Ability
Both the 2018 Honda CR-V and the 2018 Mazda CX-5 are commended by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)2 for their safety evaluation performances: receiving the top-level "Good" rating in all crashworthiness test categories, the top-level "Superior" rating in front crash prevention ability, and the "Acceptable" rating in the effectiveness of their headlight illumination. Consequently, each vehicle is designated a 2018 TOP SAFETY PICK by the IIHS. However, regarding front crash prevention ability, the CR-V is ranked a bit higher than its Mazda counterpart; its gauge bar has all six sections colored green while that of the CX-5 has five of six sections colored that way.
To test-drive the 2018 Honda CR-V, rather than the 2018 Mazda CX-5, visit us at our dealership in Hazleton Honda. We have a solid reputation for providing great customer service (as evidenced by reviews on Google and DealerRater.com), and we have a grand selection of vehicles to choose from. Call us today to set up an appointment with one of our sales specialists.
1 2018 Best US Cars for the money. View U.S. News Best cars at www.usnews.com/cars
2 When equipped with Honda sensing and specific headlights.
3 26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg rating for 2WD LX models. 25 city/31 highway/27 combined mpg rating for AWD LX models. 28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg rating for 2WD EX, EX-L & Touring models. 27 city/33 highway/29 combined mpg rating for AWD EX, EX-L & Touring models. Based on 2018 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
** While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions contained on these pages. Please verify any information in question with Hamilton Honda.