Compare the2025 Mazda CX-5VS 2025 Acura ADX

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Acura ADX has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the ADX.

Both the CX-5 and the ADX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (185 vs. 179) than the ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (256 vs. 190) and 141 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 179) than the ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the ADX 4x4 (26 city/30 hwy vs. 25 city/30 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The ADX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the ADX (15.3 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the CX-5 Turbo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the ADX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the ADX (106.2 inches vs. 104.5 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the ADX’s (36 feet vs. 37 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the ADX (7.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the ADX (7.9 vs. 7.3 inches).

The CX-5 is 5.7 inches shorter than the ADX, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-5 has 6.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ADX (103.6 vs. 97.3).

The CX-5 has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and 7.9 inches more rear hip room than the ADX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The ADX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the ADX with its rear seat up (29.1 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the ADX with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The ADX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-5 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The ADX has no towing capacity.

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The ADX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The ADX’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the ADX A-Spec’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The ADX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The ADX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the CX-5 and the ADX offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium/Turbo Signature also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ADX.

Compared to the Acura ADX, the Mazda CX-5 eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.