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Feb 1, 2024
2024 Kia Sportage vs. Mazda CX-5

Are you in the market for a new five-passenger crossover SUV? Consider the 2024 Kia Sportage or the 2024 Mazda CX-5. These new SUVs have some similarities, such as comparable engines and fuel economy, but they differ significantly in terms of cargo capacity and exclusive interior features. If you’re not sure which SUV to purchase, our Tom Kadlec Kia team is here to help. We’ll show you why we think the Sportage comes out on top against the CX-5 in this side-by-side comparison.

Trim Levels

When you search for a new vehicle in Rochester, Minnesota, browse all the available trims to find one that best suits your style and driving needs. The 2024 Maxda CX-5 has eight trims, including the base 2.5 S Select, the midlevel 2.5 S Premium, and the deluxe 2.5 Turbo Signature. The 2024 Kia Sportage offers seven trims, including the base LX, the midlevel X-Line AWD or SX, and the superior X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige. A five-person seating capacity is standard across all trims on either SUV.

Spacious Cabin and Cargo Capacity

A perk to owning a crossover SUV is a spacious interior with ample room for passengers and cargo to fit comfortably. A roomy cabin benefits you and your passengers on road trips through the Rochester, Minnesota, area. Legroom is a prime example of this, as it allows passengers to stretch out on a long ride. The legroom in the 2024 Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5 is comparable, with 41.4 inches and 41.0 inches, respectively. However, the Kia offers more rear legroom with 41.3 inches compared to the Mazda’s 39.6 inches.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 offers a reasonable cargo capacity with a maximum of 30 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 59.3 cubic feet when folded down. However, this SUV has room for improvement, considering the 2024 Kia Sportage’s significant storage space. The new Sportage offers a maximum of 39.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a whopping 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Dynamic Engine Performance

The standard engine option on the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter that produces 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine on the 2024 Kia Sportage is a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. If you need a more powerful engine, Mazda presents a dynamic pressure turbo engine option on select CX-5 trims that delivers 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. 

The 2024 CX-5 is only available in i-ACTIV all-wheel drive (AWD). If you prefer a front-wheel-drive (FWD) option for better fuel economy, choose 2024 the Kia Sportage, which is available in both FWD and AWD. With FWD, the Sportage achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The CX-5 gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Notable Interior Features

Elevate your new crossover SUV’s interior with the CX-5’s available moonroof or the Sportage’s available sunroof, allowing extra natural light and a unique nighttime experience for passengers. While the Mazda offers premium leather-trimmed seats, this upholstery may be difficult to keep clean and is susceptible to wear and tear. If you need a better upholstery option for your family that still feels luxurious, choose the 2024 Kia Sportage’s SynTex seating material, available on select trims. SynTex is a synthetic leather blend that’s easy to clean, durable, and comfy.

An exciting part of a brand-new SUV is its technological features, seemingly transporting you and your passengers into the future. Both SUVs offer convenient connectivity features, including wireless smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and hands-free calling with Bluetooth capability. The Mazda CX-5 presents a 10.25-inch full-color infotainment display. Although the Kia Sportage features a standard 8-inch touch-screen display on the LX trim, you can upgrade to a 12.3-inch display with navigation integration on the EX trims and above.

Eye-Catching Exterior Styling

Customize your crossover SUV to match your style with gorgeous exterior paint colors. Choose from sophisticated Platinum Quartz, Machine Gray Metallic, or bold Eternal Blue Mica on select 2024 Mazda CX-5 trims. Depending on the trim, you can elevate this SUV’s look with a gloss black or gunmetal finish grille.  

Turn heads with the 2024 Kia Sportage’s available colors, such as Jungle Green or Dawning Red, or go for a classy look with Ebony Black or Snow White Pearl. Standard silver front and rear skid plates and the available gloss black front grille and roof rails and complete this SUV’s sporty appearance. You can customize the exterior body styling on the new Sportage even further with wheel arch and side sill moldings or side-view mirrors in various colors.

If you like having several wheel options, you’ll love the 2024 Kia Sportage. Wheels are available in 17-, 18-, and 19-inch alloys in gloss black, matte gray, or a machined finish. The 2024 Mazda CX-5 only has two wheel options, a 17- or 19-inch aluminum alloy, but they’re available in various colors such as gray, black metallic or silver.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Whether you travel with your family or enjoy solo trips through Rochester, you need a vehicle with the best safety and driver-assistance features to help you reach your destination safely. Mazda outfits the 2024 CX-5 with its i-Activesense safety technologies, including brake support, pedestrian detection, and an available traffic jam assist. If you purchase the 2024 Sportage, you’ll get Kia Drive Wise, the automaker’s advanced driver-assistance system with innovative features such as automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring to help prevent auto accidents. The Kia Sportage received a 2023 J.D. Power award as one of the most dependable compact SUVs.

The 2024 Kia Sportage vs. Mazda CX 5: Which Is Better?

Both crossover SUVs present excellent safety features, exterior stylings, and engine options. But, if you prioritize passenger comfort, infotainment features, and cargo capacity, the 2024 Kia Sportage comes out on top. Come see for yourself by test-driving this new crossover SUV at Tom Kadlec Kia in Rochester, Minnesota. Call our expert sales team at 507-215-8923 to schedule an appointment today. Don’t forget to ask about our new-car specials to secure the best deal on the 2024 Kia Sportage.