Volvo XC40 v Mazda CX-5: Size and value!

One's a pricey small premium SUV, the other a volume-selling mid-sized SUV. One is focused on clever packaging and its all-new design, the other on its size, value and driving fun.

But most of all: one is a bit of an unknown, and the other is one of Australia's most popular cars. So which should you be considering? Read on.

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[adamabe]

Mazda is the obvious choice for me! Although i live i Sweden and Volvos are of course all over the place, and you have better service with maintenance and spare parts etc etc, but they're priced like an Audi, and while they looks almost as nice with high quality materials, they don't offer a similar driving experience as the german cars (although they offer comfort and unmatched saftey!). Mazdas on the other hand are considerably cheaper, have nice looks and materials, good enough driving experience, great durability, and now with the skyaktiv-x with mild hybrid, android auto, 360° camera they offer almost everything (well, except self parking feature!) all in a much cheaper price, here in Sweden you'd pay 15k euros more to get all the features in the top trim Mazda model! And Mazda offer 10 years warranty in Sweden btw!

[joefattal]

What a fantastic review. Volvo is on a massive roll. I literally love all the current models.

[DennisMangual]

Wow, you had me at removable waste bin. Seriously every car needs one.

[zoltangz]

Heck with a turbo .. put in a small V6 in that Mazda .. and get the side rear view mirrors to work with the electric seat memory for the driver, and that would make more sense of an upgrade !

[alfreddeneumann]

Volvo = Luxury; Mazda = Near lux. On that basis I forgive the difference in perceived interior quality (materials, trim etc). You get what you pay for.

[thabisomaleka]

IF Mazda had that 2.5L twin turbo engine & a better infotainment system, it would easily beat the Volvo, which I also like

[vprrealtor]

Nice look. Is volvo as reliable as most Japanese cars? How does the cost of ownership compare?

[greeniris]

“It’s a Volvo that thinks outside the box” Who couldnt’ve seen that statement coming. 😂

[ArchieMakuwa]

This man is so full of life. Wrong job, he just sold an iceberg to an Eskimo. Mazda, here I come.

[HaroonAzeem]

I am struggling between picking a CX-5 Turbo and XC-40 R-Design. I love the way the XC-40 looks inside out but the Mazda feels more premium and is a lot cheaper. HELP!

[laurenfranco]

I been waiting for this 😱😍 both my favorite brands!

[brightenupcc]

XC60 is more comparable with CX5 but good review nonetheless. You’ve come a long way since being a junior staffer at Wheels!

[zionsimas]

Mazdas are beautifully designed cars, very attractive indeed. Now with the 2.5 turbo, nearly perfect.

[BlueMonk]

We recently got an XC40 as our family car ...its brilliant. It's not in the same class as Mazda. But then again, I am biased as a Volvo fan (I also own an old box which is my daily driver which i won't trade for anything else!).

[jasonswift]

The Volvo XC-40 and the Mazda CX-5 are not in the same class of car! they are completely different sizes!!

[sergiupuscasu]

Sunglasses in the glove box?! Where is the storage above your head for those? Oh wait, Volvo makes practical cars.

[johnmackay]

Been quite a lot of moaning about the Mazda not having Apple or android compatibility . But having never owned a car with it, I don't think I'm missing out yet really. For me the Mazda is a great car for the money especially with the small improvements in the latest revamp.
It's obvious the Volvo in this test clearly has more tech and magic storage features but that's what Volvo is about and what their game is, loads of tech that almost makes actually driving the thing redundant. I'm not buying into Volvo being a luxury brand, with the exception of the top xc90. Volvo are offering good alternatives to those German marques that command serious spondools. But the good thing about Mazda is they are well specked for the money anyway. You certainly wouldn't go wrong with Volvo, very smart car, just something about all the features accessed from the touch screen. Sometimes a good old fashioned button or switch is all that is needed. Maybe it's a sign I'm getting old. Which is a bizarre thought when you realise it's about a Volvo 🤔

[tacuazinful]

Reliability all the way, MAZDA japanese always wins

[sergiupuscasu]

Excellent vision front and rear on the XC40?! Ok, front might be excellent, but rear? That C-Pillar can hide a School and its playground.

[GizmoRob]

Mazda must have been watching. They did slip in the CX 9's turbocharged 2.5 liter engine into the CX 5 starting in 2019.