Compare the2026 Volvo XC40 VS 2026 Mazda CX-5

The XC40’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC40 and CX-5 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC40 Ultra has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The CX-5’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The XC40 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Compared to metal, the XC40’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-5 has a metal gas tank.

Both the XC40 and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The XC40 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The XC40’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-5’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-5.

The XC40 B4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (194 vs. 187) and 35 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The XC40 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 60 more horsepower (247 vs. 187) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the XC40 B5 is faster than the Mazda CX-5:

	XC40	CX-5
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.7 sec	23.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.3 sec	8.4 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.6 sec	3.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.7 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	85 MPH

Regenerative brakes improve the XC40’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The XC40 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volvo XC40, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

For better stopping power the XC40’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	XC40	CX-5
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11.8 inches

For better traction, the XC40 has larger standard tires than the CX-5 (235/55R18 vs. 225/65R17). The XC40’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (245/45R20 vs. 225/65R17).

The XC40’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5’s standard 65 series tires. The XC40 B5 Ultra’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC40 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-5. The XC40 B5 Ultra’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the CX-5 Preferred/Premium.

The XC40 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-5’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The XC40 B5 Ultra AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-5 S Premium Plus pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the XC40 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 S/Select (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the XC40 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The XC40 is 9.8 inches shorter than the CX-5, making the XC40 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 has 2.2 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XC40. The CX-5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The XC40’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-5’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC40 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The XC40 has a higher standard payload capacity than the CX-5 (1200 vs. 1058 lbs.).

The XC40 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the CX-5 (1219 vs. 1058 lbs.).

The XC40 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the XC40 and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the XC40 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The XC40’s standard Keyless Entry & Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The XC40’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The XC40’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium.

The XC40’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Volvo XC40 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium.

Both the XC40 and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the XC40 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Volvo XC40’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Premium.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo XC40 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium offers wireless charging.

The XC40’s optional Park Assist Pilot can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The XC40 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.