Small SUV Comparison Test | Honda CR-V vs. Kia Sportage vs. Mazda CX-50

The Honda CR-V has been one of the best selling and most popular small SUVs in America for some time now. But with the redesign of the Kia Sportage and the release of the new Mazda Cx-50, the CR-V has some new competition. In this video, Lauren McCay and Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds present our small SUV comparison test of the 2022 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Kia Sportage vs. 2023 Mazda CX-50, and talk about what sets each one apart and how the newcomers stack up against the CR-V. Lauren and Ryan dissect each of these small SUVs, comparing their engines and MPG and take a look at their interiors, tech features, and cargo space. Lauren and Ryan then head to the streets to see how each compact SUVs handles out in the real world. Do the Kia Sportage and Mazda Cx-50 have what it takes to compete with the Honda CR-V? Which small SUV is best for your family? We answer these questions and more in our small SUV comparison test of the Honda CR-V vs. Kia Sportage vs. Mazda Cx-50.

00:00 Intro
01:28 Quick Rundown
04:21 Engines
07:18 Off-Road Capability
08:50 Interior
15:28 Storage
19:15 Driving
24:22 Edmunds' Take

[edmundscars]

How do these two new small SUVs compare to the beloved Honda CR-V? Tell us what you think.

[abdcontractingltd]

Wife and I just test drove the Cx50 turbo, we loved it. It is a premium car for the price, and it really is nice to not have everything touch screen and in your face. The interior is just classy.

[freddywayne]

This review was brought to you by Honda. 🙂

[lions]

I recently test drove all these, and the Mazda was better in every way. My buddy test drove a few including a RAV4 XLE premium, even an outback, and he still liked the AWD CX 50. It's not perfect, but Mazda did a really good job

[naterbater]

My wife decided to get the Kia Sportage XPro prestige and absolutely loves it. It has more power than you are giving it credit. Sure it could be more.. but I was passing everyone with ease on the freeway on a 350 mile road trip in utah and Idaho. And you practically can have it drives itself if you just stay in a lane and occasionally touch the steering wheel. And having the 17s really soak up the bumps. So to each their own.

[Idakooz]

The Sportage definitely best tech of the three. The CR-V seems the most practical. I'd give the CX-50 the looks and engine power (Turbo engine) and the edge in off-roading. My pick... I would get the Mazda. Its infotainment system is the weakest but it's not like I will be using it as a laptop. Google maps, back up cam, and play my music is all I need for it. Cargo space is more than enough. But this review needs a second round with the all-new redesigned CR-V.

[raulespinoza]

I'd choose the Mazda over the Honda based solely on the Exterior and interior, seriously the Honda is so boring and I don't do CVTS 🙅‍♂️

[carll]

The Mazda has the best and safest infotainment interface. Once you get used to it all the touch screens suck and are dangerous. Touch screens should be banned!

[mikeinva]

Cannot say I agree with this review at all. It came off as extremely extremely biased towards the CRV. You knew from the moment they are going to choose that as the winner. They looked over many many many features of the Sportage. As far as the acceleration of the Sportage you must've had an extremely under tuned vehicle, I agree there is some lack in acceleration, it is nowhere near what you describe. I've been driving mine for three months now and when I go to pass somebody the acceleration is definitely there. Also you completely overlooked the tech advantage in the Sportage, not one word was mentioned about the 24 inch instrument/infotainment set up it is one of the most impressive things about the car and not one word was said about it. And even though the Sportage had more storage space you kept mentioning over and over and over how good the storage space was in the CRV along with that you did not even mention the massive amount of legroom in the backseat or any of the other features in the backseat of the Sportage. Again this was an incredibly bias review. Wone other thing there is absolutely no mention of the hybrid version which completely negates any acceleration issues. I had a CRV for two years and traded in for the Sportage and it was the best thing I ever did. Hands down.Thank you.

[jp]

We’re a CR-V family so clearly I’m a fan but I think the methodology for this comparo is flawed. No mention of alternative hybrid and phev drivetrains, wireless carplay, tech safety features (important for family suv shoppers), govt-safety tests, and trim upgrades (the sweet spot for value to features). Finally, the elephant in the room: Toyota RAV4 noticeably absent and unmentioned.

[mjhowson]

The theme of the review was “best family” vehicle. The CX-50 is Mazda’s take on an off-road capable machine aimed more at the Subaru Outback. The regular CX-5 may have been more competitive as a family vehicle. As others have pointed out, you can get the Sportage with different, better, powertrain options.

[CC-wmyq]

Curious as to how the Sportage was so slow unsafe to pass when the 0 to 60 is 9.6 seconds but the CR-V is so wonderful at 9.3 seconds. So .3 of a second makes a car sluggish? The 2023 Cr-V is the same but I bet the reviews will be glowing.

[kyleboehr]

I have to say, there are a lot of people that say no to the center console knob in the mazda, but I can't get enough of it. I will say that Apple Car Play sometimes isn't perfect with it, but I totally get the perspective that Mazda wants the driver to enjoy the drive and limit the distractions. I don't have to look away from the road to look at a screen close enough to touch. The screen is within my eyesight of the road and the buttons and the knob do everything you need. With Apple Carplay and Android auto, there's really no reason to say the infotainment system is crap because many audiences don't interface with the car's system

[BTC]

Get a Sportage Hybrid (solves the performance issues) if you can find one.

[gregkramer]

Sportage hybrid is the one to look at. The extra power makes a big difference in it.

[jerrystandefer]

You complained about the USB port location in the CX-50, but the reality is that you don't plug a cable into that port every time you get in the car. Most people would plug a cable into the USB port and leave it plugged in, probably for years. You just unplug your phone from the cable when you get out. And if plugging the cable in once is really that much of a hassle, then you can just use the CX-50's wireless CarPlay.

[knowledgeishere]

The conclusion of this review is unbelievable. The CR-V is surely a popular choice but in this comparison it is surely 3rd considering all factors mentioned. In fairness, the new model should of been included as this model looks dated. Also, CX-5 rather than CX-50. In this comparison, the CX-50 wins hands down followed by the Sportage.

[burthamilton]

You two are very biased the sportage has other engine options

[ahighervibe]

The Hybrid is the way to go with the Kia Sportage!

[MrNemo]

The best versions of the new Tucson and Sportage are the Hybrid and PHEV versions, avoid the base 2.5.