Kia Niro vs Mazda CX-5
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Mazda CX-5
Overview
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | 2.5 S |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | hybrid | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $27,090 (best) | $29,990 |
| Lowest listing price | $24,000 | $200 (best) |
| Median listing price | $30,400 (best) | $34,889 |
| Highest listing price | $33,945 (best) | $43,044 |
| For sale now | 35 | 330 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 53 MPG (best) | 25 MPG |
| City MPG | 53 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 54 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 11 gal | 15.3 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 187 hp (best) |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft (best) | 186 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.6 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | — | 66.5 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | — | 1,500 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,071 lbs (best) | 3,856 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 6 in | 8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 110.8 in (best) |
| Length | 174 in | 184.6 in (best) |
| Width | 72 in | 73.2 in (best) |
| Height | 61 in | 66.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia NiroLX | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Kia Niro | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $27,090 MSRP(Currently comparing) | 2.5 S $29,990 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | EX $29,890 MSRP | 2.5 S Select $31,990 MSRP |
| 3 | SX $33,090 MSRP | 2.5 S Preferred $34,250 MSRP |
| 4 | SX Touring $35,490 MSRP | 2.5 S Premium $36,900 MSRP |
| 5 | — | 2.5 S Premium Plus $38,990 MSRP |
Live inventory
Kia Niro35 for sale
See all
New2026 Kia Niro
LX
Interstellar Gray•Charcoal15 mi$26,657Tustin Kia
Tustin, CA
New2026 Kia Niro
EX
Snow White Pearl•CharcoalN/A$29,924Mike Miller Kia Peoria
Peoria, IL
New2026 Kia Niro
EX
Snow White Pearl•CharcoalN/A$29,791Mike Miller Kia Peoria
Peoria, IL
New2026 Kia Niro
EX
Snow White Pearl•CharcoalN/A$31,520Santa Fe Kia
Santa Fe, NM
Used2024 Kia Niro
SX
Snow White Pearl•Charcoal10,434 mi$32,485Lehighton Kia
Lehighton, PA
New2026 Kia Niro
LX
Aurora Black Pearl•CharcoalN/A$27,815Cape & Islands Kia South Yarmouth
South Yarmouth, MA
Mazda CX-5330 for sale
See all
Certified2024 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray Metallic•Black39,043 mi$30,937Beaver Mazda of Cumming
Cumming, GA
Used2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray•red26,506 mi$27,466Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Certified2024 Mazda CX-5
2.5 Turbo Premium
Red•Black24,155 mi$28,990Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Certified2025 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Preferred Package
Black•Black6,978 mi$27,990Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Certified2025 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium Plus Package
White•Black5,844 mi$30,877Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Used2022 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium Package
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•Black72,641 mi$21,497Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Kia Niro vs Mazda CX-5 FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Kia Niro vs 2026 Mazda CX-5 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Kia Niro starts lower at $27,090. Live Kia Niro listings start at $24,000. Live Mazda CX-5 listings start at $200.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Kia Niro leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (27,090).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Kia Niro leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (53).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-5 leads on horsepower in this comparison (187).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Kia Niro or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-5 leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (1,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Kia Niro vs 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Niro (4/5 NHTSA overall).