2023 Kia Sportage vs. 2023 Mazda CX-5 Comparison

Compact SUVs are now the second-hottest-selling type of car in America. Drivers love their balance of livable space for people and cargo with a small footprint for maneuverability and reasonable prices. The Kia Sportage is one of the newest on the market, completely redesigned for 2023. The Mazda CX-5 is one of the oldest but beloved for its sharp looks and sharper handling.

Let’s compare them to help find the right one for you.

2023 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage has always been a feature-rich entry at a fair price. For 2023, Kia has given it a beautiful redesign from the wheels up. It uses a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available at every trim level but is only standard on the X-Line AWD, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. Kia also builds a Sportage Hybrid and a Sportage Plug-in Hybrid with up to 34 miles of all-electric range. This comparison considers only gas-powered versions because Mazda has no equivalent to Kia’s hybrids. Pricing starts at $25,990, plus $1,295 for delivery.

Kia Sportage Highlights

Gorgeous inside and out: Kia designers outdid themselves with the all-new 2023 Sportage. Outside, it’s handsome, particularly with the optional two-tone paint schemes. Inside, it’s sleek, with the driver’s instrument screen and central touchscreen mounted in a single housing, so they look like one wide, curved screen.

Lots of rear seat and cargo space: The Sportage has one of the roomiest rear seats in its class. Second-row passengers get their own USB ports. It also boasts 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats — a best-in-class figure. A trick floor lets you create more space by lowering the floor in the cargo area to fit in taller items.

Well-designed safety aids: Most 2023 compact SUVs carry an extensive set of driver assistance systems, but they’re not all created equal. Kia’s Drive Wise suite includes a Highway Driving Assist that feels as smooth as a human driver when adjusting speed to maintain a set distance to the car ahead and keep it centered in its lane. The Sportage also touts a clever blind spot monitor that displays the lane next to you on the driver’s instrument panel when you signal a lane change.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kia Sportage models for sale near you.

2023 Mazda CX-5

Mazda vehicles are known for two things — fantastic handling and premium looks inside and out despite their reasonable price tags. The 2023 CX-5 fits the bill. It offers a choice of engines: a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder or a 227-horsepower turbocharged powerplant. Both send power through the same 6-speed transmission, and every CX-5 is AWD. But if you’re looking for a true off-roader, Mazda’s new CX-50 is a better trail companion at this same size. The 2023 CX-5 starts at $26,700, plus $1,275 for delivery.

Mazda CX-5 Highlights

Sharp handling road manners: Every compact SUV has its strengths, and the CX-5’s own shine in the twisty stuff. Mazda does steering balance better than most mainstream automakers. Our test driver calls it “composed, precise, agile, and involving.”

Turbocharged engine option: Affordable compact SUVs tend to have around 180 horsepower, give or take 20. A 227-horsepower option sets the CX-5 apart. It makes Mazda’s small SUV a bit pricier (the cheapest way to get it is the $36,850 2.5 Turbo model), but segment stalwarts like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V don’t have an answer for it.

Standard AWD: Mazda has made AWD standard in its 2023 SUVs. Most automakers at this price point charge extra for it.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mazda CX-5 models for sale near you.

Similarities

The Sportage and CX-5 are both great looking, as not all compact SUVs are. They’re also both handsome inside, though the Kia has a more modern design theme, and the Mazda has more of a classic luxury car look when equipped with leather upholstery. Barely $700 separates them.

Conclusion

The Kia Sportage is all-new for 2023, quickly earning a reputation as one of the most well-rounded vehicles on the road. It’s big for a compact car, handsome inside and out, and packed with the latest technology. The Mazda CX-5 shows its age but is still the choice for those who love to drive. It handles like something more expensive, offers standard AWD, and is available with a turbocharged engine more powerful than most competitors.

Specs