2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented itself as a more rugged alternative to the CX-5, with significant dimensional changes that included being lower, wider, and longer. Its design was fresh and modern, with broad-shouldered proportions highlighted by square wheel arches and faux air vents. The Meridian Edition, in particular, emphasized an active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. The interior was well-crafted, with a pleasing design and high-quality materials, although it didn't fully meet Mazda's upscale aspirations. The half-leatherette seats and manually adjustable passenger seat in the base model were reminders of Mazda's traditional market positioning.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was styled to emphasize its sporty nature within the Range Rover family. It stood tall with a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. The SV Edition Two, the highest-performance model, featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood. The interior was adorned with red leather upholstery and sport seats with light-up inserts, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. The high console and dash created a cockpit-like feel, although it could feel cramped. Material quality was luxurious, but the use of piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo variant offered up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. All models featured a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with various driving modes. The CX-50 was a competent daily driver, but it lacked the engaging driving dynamics of the CX-5. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and reduced grip, making it less suitable for spirited driving.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrains, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The base Dynamic SE model had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 hp, while the plug-in hybrid variant produced 454 hp. The Autobiography trim increased output to 543 hp, and the SV Edition Two boasted 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover ever. The SV Edition Two accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and had a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both performance and comfort, with features like four-wheel steering and carbon-ceramic brakes enhancing agility and refinement.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom. It had 889 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,595 litres with them folded. While it trailed competitors in cargo space, the power liftgate improved access. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space, but the Meridian Edition lacked durable materials for its rugged image.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, was a two-row five-seater. It offered competitive headroom and legroom, with reclining rear seats and 20-way power-adjustable front seats. Cargo space was 835 litres with the rear seats up and 1,860 litres with them folded. The Sport's towing capacity was impressive, matching or exceeding most rivals. The air suspension's "access height" setting facilitated loading and unloading.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled by a rotary controller. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims adding wireless charging and a Bose audio system. The interface required adjustment but was straightforward once familiar. The system's graphics were basic, but it was suitable for those who preferred simplicity.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard. The minimalist design had functional limitations, with most controls integrated into the touchscreen. The Pivi Pro system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition Two featured "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, offering a unique but potentially gimmicky experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. It had standard driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with optional advanced features.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided visibility, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings were not available at the time of writing.