2026 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2026 Kia Sportage Comparability

December 15, 2025

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Compact SUVs stay a best choice for on a regular basis commuters with their effectivity, affordable price ticket, and progressive options. The Mazda CX-50 and Kia Sportage are extremely regarded choices on this phase, every of them rating within the high 5 of our greatest compact SUVs. Fascinated by seeing what units these two automobiles aside? Let’s take a more in-depth look.

2026 Mazda CX-50

For those who’re searching for a automobile that accommodates your day by day commute together with a day of trekking the paths, look no additional than Mazda’s CX-50. This mannequin options commonplace all-wheel drive (AWD), which is good for mild off-road driving or enhanced safety in inclement climate, making the CX-50 interesting to each day by day commuters and journey seekers. It additionally boasts a premium design and progressive options, giving drivers a cushty and related in-cabin expertise.

The 2026 mannequin lineup brings a brand new “outdoor-focused” Meridian Version trim choice, together with up to date inside and exterior design choices. Consumers can selected from a variety of 10 trim ranges, together with the two.5 S fashions, the Turbo fashions, and the CX-50 Hybrid compact SUVs,

Mazda CX-50 Highlights

Turbo Engine: Past the bottom 2.5-liter engine and hybrid variations, Mazda presents a turbo engine choice, which boasts 256 horsepower — greater than most on this class. This engine improve makes for a snappier drive over the CX-50 2.5 S’s base of 187 hp with a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine. For 2026, the turbo turns into extra inexpensive with the introduction of a brand new CX-50 2.5 Turbo trim.

Towing Capabilities: Whereas the usual engine within the CX-50 can tow as much as 2,000 kilos, the turbo engine permits for pulling as much as 3,500 kilos, making it one of the vital succesful on this phase and outworking the Sportage by 1,000 kilos.

Premium Inside: Within the 2026 CX-50, you’ll discover an elevated inside constructed with premium supplies all through, even within the base fashions. Leatherette upholstery comes commonplace on decrease trims with the choice to improve to real leather-based on higher trims.

Learn our Mazda 2026 Skilled Assessment or see 2026 Mazda CX-50 fashions on the market close to you.

2026 Kia Sportage

With a brand new front-end redesign for 2026, the Kia Sportage will flip extra heads than earlier than. The Sportage is Kia’s best-selling mannequin, largely as a result of its progressive expertise, spacious inside, and putting design. This automobile is straightforward to drive, attracting many day by day long-haul commuters.

Together with the redesigned entrance finish, the 2026 mannequin options new daytime operating lights, a normal 12.3-inch touchscreen, and useful tech options, together with commonplace adaptive cruise management and over-the-air updates.

Kia Sportage Highlights

A Selection of Powertrains: The bottom Sportage will get a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive (AWD) is offered. Kia provides the Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid mannequin to the lineup, providing a variety of selection for customers.

Tech Savvy: The 2026 Sportage presents patrons progressive expertise at a low value. Its spectacular commonplace characteristic set now consists of auto-sensing windshield wipers, non-compulsory blind-spot view displays, and over-the-air updates.

Expansive Guarantee: Kia’s warranties are among the many most complete within the business. They provide a 5-year/60,000-mile fundamental guarantee and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee. In comparison with the CX-50’s 3-Yr/36,000-Mile Guarantee, the Sportage offers extra reassurance for brand new patrons.

Learn our Kia Sportage Skilled Assessment or see 2026 Kia Sportage fashions on the market close to you.

Similarities

The bottom engines in each the CX-50 and Sportage are non-turbo 2.5-liter 4-cylinder items producing 187 hp, and every will be ordered up with a hybrid powertrain. Kia bumps the ante with a plug-in hybrid, whereas Mazda goes all-in with a 227-hp turbo choice. Every mannequin presents strong security options and intuitive expertise.

Pricing

New 2026 MAZDA CX-50 Costs

	Retail Worth	Truthful Buy Worth (92620)
2.5 S Choose	$31,395	TBD
2.5 S Most well-liked	$33,895	TBD
2.5 S Meridian Version	$34,645	TBD
2.5 S Premium	$36,395	TBD
2.5 Turbo	$39,395	TBD
2.5 Turbo Meridian Version	$41,895	TBD
2.5 Turbo Premium Plus	$44,395	TBD

New 2026 Kia Sportage Costs

	Retail Worth	Truthful Buy Worth (92620)
LX	$30,085	TBD
EX	$31,885	TBD
X-Line	$34,385	TBD
SX	$35,685	TBD
SX Status	$37,685	TBD
X-Professional Status	$40,985	TBD

The Kelley Blue Guide Truthful Buy Worth for any particular person used automobile can differ significantly in accordance with mileage, situation, location, and different components.
The costs right here replicate what patrons are at the moment paying for New 2026 MAZDA CX-50 automobiles and New 2026 Kia Sportage automobiles in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s prompt retail value (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embrace tax, license, doc charges, and choices.

Specs

	2026 MAZDA CX-50	2026 Kia Sportage
Well-liked Powertrains
Engine	2.5-liter 4-cylinder	2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Towing Capability	2,000 kilos	2,500 kilos
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6,000 rpm	187 hp @ 6,100 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission	automated, 6-speed skyactiv-drive sport w/handbook mode	automated, 8-speed
Gasoline Economic system	N/A	25 metropolis/33 freeway/28 mixed mpg
Specs
Fundamental Guarantee	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Guarantee	5 years/60,000 miles	10 years/100,000 miles
NHTSA Total Security	5 stars	5 stars
Max Seating Capability	5	5
Wheelbase	110.8 inches	108.5 inches
Total Size	185.8 inches	183.5 inches
Width	80.8 inches	73.4 inches
Peak	63.5 inches	65.4 inches
Turning Diameter	39.0 toes	19.3 toes
Headroom, Entrance	39.1 inches	39.6 inches
Headroom, 2nd Row	38.6 inches	39.4 inches
Legroom, Entrance	41.7 inches	41.4 inches
Legroom, 2nd Row	39.8 inches	41.3 inches
Shoulder Room, Entrance	55.9 inches	57.5 inches
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row	53.6 inches	55.6 inches
Cargo Behind Second Seat	31.4 toes	N/A
Cargo With All Seats Down	56.3 toes	74.1 toes

Specification desk displays the everyday configuration of automobiles proven.

Conclusion

For those who’re searching for a refined automobile outfitted with commonplace options for adventurous drives, the CX-50 is perhaps the higher selection for you. The Sportage would possibly acquire an edge as a result of its spacious cabin and expansive guarantee. If cash is an element as properly, take into accout the Sportage base value begins $1,300 decrease than the CX-50. We’d have a tough time selecting between the 2 compact SUVs, however cash talks.