2025 Jeep Wrangler 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 understated styling gave it a sophisticated appearance, reminiscent of an entry-level luxury SUV. Despite not having been redesigned since 2017, the CX-5's design remained timeless and appealing. Inside, the CX-5 offered a refined interior with high-quality materials and a layout that balanced traditional analog controls with modern usability. While it lacked the large infotainment screens of some competitors, its physical buttons and knobs were appreciated for their ease of use, making it a practical choice for drivers who preferred tactile controls over touchscreens.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S was a rugged and iconic vehicle, drawing inspiration from its military roots. Its design emphasized function over form, with a focus on off-road capability and American freedom. The black-on-black color scheme of the rental model was less than ideal for the tropical climate of Hawaii, but the Wrangler's appeal lay in its ability to tackle diverse terrains. The interior was utilitarian, with a focus on durability and practicality. Despite its nearly $50,000 price tag, the Wrangler's interior was simple, with a few upscale touches like metallic accents and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Wrangler's charm was in its nostalgic design and capability to go almost anywhere, making it a popular choice despite its lack of sophistication compared to other modern vehicles.

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 ride with minimal body roll, although this resulted in a slightly firmer ride quality.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a slight advantage in torque over the V6. The Wrangler's turbocharged engine was more fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving compared to the V6's 19-20 mpg. The Wrangler excelled in off-road capability, with standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles. However, its on-road performance was less refined, with a rough ride and disconnected steering feel.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5's interior was praised for its design and refinement, though it fell short in terms of practicality and space compared to some rivals. While it offered sufficient headroom and rear legroom, competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage provided more space for passengers. The CX-5's cargo capacity was 30.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Although the cargo area was wide and flat, it was smaller than that of the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. The CX-5 featured moderately sized storage compartments and a wireless charging pad in midlevel trims.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated seats and steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small bins and cupholders for personal items. The Wrangler's cargo area offered 31.7 cubic feet of space, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Accessing the cargo area was cumbersome due to the tailgate and rear window design.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment display controlled via a center console dial, offering a user-friendly experience. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless functionality in midrange trims. The CX-5's analog gauges felt dated, but a head-up display was standard in higher trims. The audio system ranged from a basic four-speaker setup to a 10-speaker Bose premium system in the top trim. Remote vehicle monitoring and a Wi-Fi hotspot were also available.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler boasted a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Wrangler offered optional navigation, Jeep Connect services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Convenience Group package added a 7-inch digital display, passive entry, and remote engine start. Rear parking sensors were available in the Active Safety Group package.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA in most categories and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. 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 surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags as standard equipment. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler "Good" in side-impact protection but "Marginal" in small overlap frontal-impact tests.