2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 was often praised for its elegant design, which stood out in the small SUV class. Its graceful curves and lack of sharp angles gave it a sophisticated appearance that many compared to entry-level luxury SUVs. Despite not having been redesigned since 2017, the CX-5's styling remained timeless and appealing. Inside, the CX-5 offered a blend of traditional and modern elements, with high-quality materials and a user-friendly layout. While it lacked the large infotainment screens of its competitors, the physical buttons and knobs were appreciated for their practicality and ease of use. The interior was reminiscent of older Acura or Lexus models, providing a sense of luxury at a more affordable price point.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive and retro-inspired design, drawing comparisons to the Lancia Delta. The mid-cycle refresh brought subtle changes to the front fascia, but the iconic "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, along with the high rear spoiler, remained. The new XRT trim added unique features like red tow hooks and digital camouflage bumper cladding, enhancing its rugged appeal. The Ioniq 5's interior continued to impress with its minimalistic and modern design, offering an open and uncluttered space. The new XRT trim leaned towards a more adventurous feel with its dark interior and all-weather floor mats. Overall, the Ioniq 5's design was both functional and stylish, appealing to those seeking a unique and futuristic look.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and came standard with all-wheel drive. The base engine provided adequate power, accelerating to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, while the turbocharged model was quicker, reaching 60 mph in approximately 6 seconds. The CX-5 was known for its sporty driving dynamics, offering a confident and engaging experience on winding roads. Its suspension minimized body roll, and the all-wheel-drive system provided sure-footedness. Although the ride was slightly firm, it remained comfortable for most passengers, and the quiet cabin reduced fatigue on long journeys.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT featured a Terrain Mode button on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to switch between Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. These modes adjusted throttle mapping, wheel slip, power distribution, and regenerative braking. The XRT trim was designed for off-road adventures, handling loose sand surfaces with ease. The Ioniq 5's all-wheel-drive system was standard on the XRT, while other trims offered rear-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased for 2025, providing longer ranges: up to 318 miles for rear-wheel-drive models and 259 miles for the XRT. Power output varied, with rear-wheel-drive models producing 168 to 225 horsepower, while all-wheel-drive models delivered 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 5 offered an enjoyable driving experience with instant electric torque.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5's interior was praised for its design and refinement, but it fell short in terms of practicality and space compared to some rivals. While rear headroom was sufficient for adults, competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage offered slightly more. The CX-5 excelled in rear legroom, surpassing the RAV4 but trailing behind the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. Cargo space was another area where the CX-5 lagged, with 30.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The CR-V and Sportage provided nearly 30% more cargo capacity. The CX-5 featured moderately sized cupholders, door pockets, and a deep center armrest bin for smaller items. A power liftgate was standard on all but the base trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper as standard. The interior featured a movable center console with fore-and-aft cupholders and a wireless charging pad. Heated front seats were standard, with a heated steering wheel available on the SEL trim. The Limited trim offered front seat ventilation and driver's seat memory, but heated rear seats were not available. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with generous headroom and legroom. Cargo space measured 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 58.5 cubic feet with them folded, plus an additional 0.85 cubic feet in the frunk. The Ioniq 5's transition to the North American Charging System (NACS) allowed access to Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing its charging capabilities.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment display mounted atop the dash, controlled via a dial on the center console. While smaller than some competitors' screens, its placement minimized distraction. The dial allowed for easy navigation through menus, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could be controlled via the touchscreen or dial. Wireless phone integration was available on midrange trims, along with a wireless charging pad. The analog gauges felt slightly outdated, but a head-up display was standard on higher trims. The base trim included a four-speaker audio system, while the top Signature model boasted a 10-speaker Bose premium system. Remote vehicle monitoring and a Wi-Fi hotspot were also available.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its dual 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and digital instruments, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT trim. The SE and SEL trims featured a six-speaker sound system, with standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and Bluetooth connectivity for two devices. The Ioniq 5 offered five USB-C ports, with a central port that could be set for charging or data transmission. A head-up display was exclusive to the Limited trim, and a wireless charging pad was available from the SEL trim level.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 earned high safety ratings, receiving five stars from the NHTSA in all evaluations except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The 2024 model, identical to the 2025 version, received the IIHS's highest score of "Good" in all tests and a Top Safety Pick rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Turbo Premium package included traffic jam assist, while the Turbo Signature trim added a driver attention monitor and rear automatic braking.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 continued to receive top safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. The 2025 model introduced new standard safety features, including an enhanced driver attention system with haptic steering wheel feedback and hands-on detection, as well as reverse and forward parking-distance warning. The XRT trim included a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with HDA 1 combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while HDA 2 added lane-changing capability and machine learning.