2024 Mazda CX-5 vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its familiar design from the second-generation model introduced in 2017, which continued to look modern and appealing. The U.S. version of the new-for-2024 Suna trim featured exclusive Zircon Sand paint and Terracotta leather seats with black artificial suede inserts, adding a touch of exclusivity. Mazda improved the fuel economy for the base engine models, removed a previous wheel design, and added wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to several trims. The CX-5 lineup offered a base engine with 187 horsepower and a Turbo model with up to 256 horsepower, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. In Canada, the trim levels ranged from GS to Signature, with prices from $35,476 to $48,276, including fees. The Suna trim, priced at $47,026, came with the Turbo engine as standard, offering an upscale feel at a mainstream price.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier appearance within the Range Rover family, with a taller stance and a more athletic look due to its shorter wheelbase and chopped top. The SV Edition Two, the highest-performance model, featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood with an exposed patch. Despite its subtle exterior, the interior boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up “SV” inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters. The minimalist aesthetic was consistent across all models, with a touchscreen, stubby shifter, and engine start button on the dashboard. The high console, dash, and door panels created a cockpit-like feel, though it made the front seats feel a bit cramped. Material quality met luxury segment standards, although the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo delivered 256 horsepower on premium gas and 227 horsepower on regular gas, with torque figures of 320 lb-ft and 310 lb-ft, respectively. The powertrain was more rewarding with a gradual acceleration approach, allowing the revs to build. However, it wasn't fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 9.8 L/100 km, and observed consumption of 10.3 L/100 km. The base engine offered better efficiency at 9.3 L/100 km combined. The CX-5 felt tall and narrow from the driver's seat, with excellent visibility and confidence-inspiring handling. Mazda's suspension retuning and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology improved ride quality and handling. The CX-5 was quiet on highways, firm in the city, and fun on twisty roads, with off-road capability thanks to 20 cm of ground clearance. It could tow up to 900 kg.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrains, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Dynamic SE had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower, while the plug-in hybrid variant produced 454 horsepower. The Autobiography trim increased output to 543 horsepower, and the SV Edition Two boasted 626 horsepower, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h. The sport-tuned air suspension and four-wheel steering enhanced agility and comfort. The Terrain Response system, hill descent control, and ascent control supported off-roading, with a maximum ground clearance of 28.4 cm. The SV Edition Two had slightly reduced clearance at 21 cm.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 featured standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with comfortable and supportive seating. The driver's seat offered six-way power adjustment, while passengers could manually adjust seat height. Leather upholstery was standard on most trims, with premium Nappa leather on the Signature trim. The CX-5 was snug for four adults, with supportive rear seats and rear air conditioning vents. It offered 871 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded. The cabin design and quality elevated it above most mass-market rivals, though the cupholders were awkward.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered more room than the Velar but remained a midsize two-row SUV. Front-seat occupants had similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, with adequate rear-seat headroom despite the sloping roof. The Sport provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,860 litres with the seats folded. It lacked a split tailgate but featured power operation and an “access height” setting for easier loading. The Sport's towing capacity was 3,500 kg for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 3,000 kg.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 eschewed touchscreens for traditional controls, though it allowed touchscreen operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch display was navigated via a console knob, with quick access buttons for main functions. Mazda Connected Services offered remote engine starting and more, with a 10-speaker Bose sound system standard on the Suna trim.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The minimalist design had functional shortfalls, with limited physical controls. The Pivi Pro system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition Two had “Body and Soul Seats” with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience, though it felt gimmicky.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive headlights and a traffic sign recognition system. The CX-5 had a five-star NHTSA rating, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings were not available at the time of writing.