Compare the2026 Hyundai Kona VS 2026 Mazda CX-5

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Kona achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mazda CX-5 has not been tested.

Both the Kona and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Hyundai Kona has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The CX-5 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

The Kona comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-5 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-5’s (7 vs. 5 years).

There are over 57 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Kona’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Kona has a standard 150-amp alternator (130-amp - Kona 1.6 Turbo). The CX-5’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Mazda.

The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (190 vs. 187) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kona SEL Premium/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda CX-5:

	Kona	CX-5
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	21.1 sec	23.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.1 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	85 MPH
Top Speed	130 MPH	116 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Kona gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
Kona
	FWD	SE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/34 hwy
		SEL Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/31 hwy
	AWD	SE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/29 hwy
		SEL Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/29 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Hyundai Kona SEL Premium/Limited, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

The Kona SE/SEL Sport has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Kona stops shorter than the CX-5:

	Kona	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	173 feet	Car and Driver

For better traction, the Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (235/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Kona SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5’s standard 65 series tires. The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s 55 series tires.

The Kona has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For better maneuverability, the Kona’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the CX-5’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Kona has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 S/Select (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Kona to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the CX-5 Preferred/Premium (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches).

The Hyundai Kona may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 850 pounds less than the Mazda CX-5.

The Kona is 1 foot, 1.3 inches shorter than the CX-5, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Kona uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Kona SEL Premium HTRAC AWD is quieter than the CX-5 S Premium Plus:

	Kona	CX-5
At idle	33 dB	38 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	77 dB

The Kona uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the Kona and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Kona is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Kona’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Compared to traditional radio, the Hyundai Kona’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Premium.

The Kona Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Kona is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Hyundai Kona retains 57.75% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 57.6% resale value of the 2026 Mazda CX-5 after five years, which can save the Hyundai’s owner up to $1827 in depreciation.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Kona as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The CX-5 has never been chosen.