BMW X3 vs Mazda CX-5
Overview | |
Years produced2004-Present | Years produced2013-Present |
MSRP$50,900 | MSRP$29,050 |
Listings9380 | Listings9507 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Reviews SummaryBMW offers the 2026 X3 in two flavors: 30 xDrive and M50. The latter is tuned for performance, but the base X3 30 xDrive is so good that you might be happy trading the M50’s outright speed and sheer capability for significant savings. BMW redesigned this compact luxury crossover in 2025, and the only tweaks for 2026 make the base model look and feel a little more upscale inside. Verdict: For this review, we evaluated the BMW X3 M50. It was terrific, but with a sticker price more than $15,000 higher than the rewarding X3 30 xDrive, it’s hard to justify the extra money. | |
Reviews SummaryJust because you need more practicality, doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to sacrifice driving enjoyment or performance. Among compact SUVs, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 proves that you can satisfy your sporty appetite in an attractive and upscale alternative. Verdict: The CX-5 offers an enjoyable driving experience, but it falls short in practical areas like fuel economy and cargo space. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive Train |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm | Horsepower |
MPG City27 | MPG City |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 187 hp I4 |
Torque295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | Torque185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm | Horsepower187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City27 | MPG City |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space31.5 cu ft | Cargo Space30.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight4176 lbs | Curb Weight3679 lbs |
Height65.4 in | Height66.1 in |
Length187.2 in | Length180.1 in |
Width83.9 in | Width83.3 in |
Wheelbase112.8 in | Wheelbase106.2 in |
Maximum Payload1107 lbs | Maximum Payload1045 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity4001 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity2000 lbs |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2004-Present | 2013-Present |
MSRP | $50,900 | $29,050 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 6.7 out of 10Read full review | 6.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | BMW offers the 2026 X3 in two flavors: 30 xDrive and M50. The latter is tuned for performance, but the base X3 30 xDrive is so good that you might be happy trading the M50’s outright speed and sheer capability for significant savings. BMW redesigned this compact luxury crossover in 2025, and the only tweaks for 2026 make the base model look and feel a little more upscale inside. Verdict: For this review, we evaluated the BMW X3 M50. It was terrific, but with a sticker price more than $15,000 higher than the rewarding X3 30 xDrive, it’s hard to justify the extra money. | Just because you need more practicality, doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to sacrifice driving enjoyment or performance. Among compact SUVs, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 proves that you can satisfy your sporty appetite in an attractive and upscale alternative. Verdict: The CX-5 offers an enjoyable driving experience, but it falls short in practical areas like fuel economy and cargo space. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | |
Drive Train | AWD | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm | |
MPG City | 27 | |
MPG Highway | 33 | |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 2.5L 187 hp I4 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | 185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm | 187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 27 | |
MPG Highway | 33 | |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 31.5 cu ft | 30.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4176 lbs | 3679 lbs |
Height | 65.4 in | 66.1 in |
Length | 187.2 in | 180.1 in |
Width | 83.9 in | 83.3 in |
Wheelbase | 112.8 in | 106.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 1107 lbs | 1045 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 4001 lbs | 2000 lbs |

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.





































