2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Mazda CX-5

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its classic design from its 2017 debut, with only minor updates. Its traditional Mazda styling remained modern and appealing, with the new Carbon Turbo trim adding a fresh touch. This trim featured Zircon Sand paint, exclusive Terracotta leather seats, and gloss-black exterior detailing, enhancing its visual appeal. Mazda also introduced improvements like better fuel economy for the base engine, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in several trims. The CX-5 lineup offered a range of trims and engine options, with prices starting at $29,300 and reaching up to $40,600 for the Turbo models. Despite being a compact crossover, the CX-5 felt upscale, thanks to its upgraded interior materials, technology, and drivetrain.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, in its fifth generation, maintained its chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase and flat hood. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps and taillights aligned with Hyundai's design aesthetic, though the rear proportions were somewhat mismatched. Each trim had specific wheel designs, with the off-road-focused XRT trim featuring chrome and black exterior accents. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, except for the Calligraphy trim with captain's chairs. The interior ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather, with some squeaks and rattles noted during testing. The Santa Fe's interior space was generous, with adjustable second-row seats and ample cargo capacity, making it practical for families.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo delivered 256 horsepower on premium gas and 227 horsepower on regular gas, with torque figures of 320 lb-ft and 310 lb-ft, respectively. The powertrain was more rewarding with a gradual acceleration approach, and while it wasn't the most fuel-efficient, it offered a sophisticated driving experience. The CX-5's suspension improvements and standard all-wheel drive contributed to its smooth ride and responsive handling. It excelled in various driving conditions, from city streets to twisty mountain roads, and offered a decent 7.9 inches of ground clearance for light off-road adventures. The towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, though turbo lag and occasional transmission delays were noted. The gear selector on the steering column required some adjustment. The XRT trim's off-road capabilities were enhanced with 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. While not a rugged off-roader, it handled graded dirt roads and small obstacles well. The Santa Fe's towing capacity ranged from 3,500 to 4,500 pounds, depending on the trim.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 offered comfortable and supportive heated front seats, with power adjustment for the driver and manual height adjustment for passengers. Leather upholstery was standard on most trims, with premium Nappa leather on the top Turbo Signature trim. The interior, though snug, provided good support and comfort for four adults. Rear passengers enjoyed soft front seatback material, rear air conditioning vents, and a center armrest with cupholders. The cabin's design and quality elevated it above many mass-market rivals, with 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's base SE trim was basic but included features like a hands-free liftgate and dual-zone climate control. The XRT trim added heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet. The Calligraphy trim offered heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe excelled in interior space, with the most third-row legroom in its class and adjustable second-row seats. Cargo space was generous, with 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 79.6 cubic feet with both rows folded. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, making it easier to load large items.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 featured a non-touchscreen infotainment system with traditional controls for various functions. While touchscreens were becoming standard, Mazda allowed touchscreen operation for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch display was navigated using a large knob and surrounding buttons. Mazda Connected Services offered remote engine starting, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The Carbon Turbo trim included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, enhancing the SUV's premium feel.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also featuring a digital gauge cluster. The system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Upper trims offered additional features like Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging. The Santa Fe also offered a digital key, a fingerprint scanner, and a digital rearview mirror on higher trims. Bluelink app connectivity provided remote control and monitoring features, while over-the-air updates ensured the latest software.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive headlights, traffic sign recognition, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2024.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance assist and Highway Drive Assist. The top trims included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, except for the headlight and LATCH categories, where it scored Acceptable.