2026 Hyundai Tucson vs. 2026 Mazda CX-50

Car Chomper says the Hyundai Tucson offers 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space against the Mazda CX-50's 31.4, both sharing 187 hp but the CX-50 edging ahead in torque by 7 lb-ft (185 vs 178) with standard AWD versus the Tucson's FWD, the Tucson achieving 28 mpg combined versus the CX-50's 26, and the Tucson's $29,200 MSRP undercutting the CX-50's $29,900, calling the Tucson the better objective value for offering higher mpg and more cargo space at a lower price, and the CX-50 the pick for AWD and torque. CarWeek confirms the Tucson carries a far longer 120-month/100,000-mile powertrain warranty versus the CX-50's 60-month/60,000-mile, on top of a 60-month basic warranty versus the CX-50's 36-month.

Which to choose, and why

More cargo room and mpg for less; CX-50 has standard AWD

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Hyundai Tucson offers 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space against the Mazda CX-50's 31.4, both sharing 187 hp but the CX-50 edging ahead in torque by 7 lb-ft (185 vs 178) with standard AWD versus the Tucson's FWD, the Tucson achieving 28 mpg combined versus the CX-50's 26, and the Tucson's $29,200 MSRP undercutting the CX-50's $29,900, calling the Tucson the better objective value for offering higher mpg and more cargo space at a lower price, and the CX-50 the pick for AWD and torque.

Hyundai's warranty runs far longer

CarWeek (opens in a new tab) confirms the Tucson carries a far longer 120-month/100,000-mile powertrain warranty versus the CX-50's 60-month/60,000-mile, on top of a 60-month basic warranty versus the CX-50's 36-month.

Questions buyers ask

Which has more cargo space, the Hyundai Tucson or Mazda CX-50?

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Tucson, at 38.7 cubic feet versus the CX-50's 31.4.

Which has a longer warranty, the Hyundai Tucson or Mazda CX-50?

CarWeek (opens in a new tab) says the Tucson, with a 120-month/100,000-mile powertrain warranty versus the CX-50's 60-month/60,000-mile.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Hyundai Tucson: 5 records · Mazda CX-50: 3 records.

Decision field	Hyundai Tucson	Mazda CX-50
Exact EPA records	5	3
Model / option labels	5	1
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive	4-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)	Automatic (S6), Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel types	Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	26–38 MPG/MPGe	25–38 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	32 miles	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1700–2500 per year	$1700–2600 per year

Head to head

Hyundai Tucson vs. Mazda CX-50: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Hyundai Tucson	Mazda CX-50
Starting price (KBB base)	$31,050	$31,395
Top trim price (KBB base)	$42,525	$44,395
Horsepower	187 hp	187-227 hp
Torque	178 lb-ft	185-310 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	n/a	7.5-9.5 sec
Curb weight	3,572-3,800 lb	3,741-3,915 lb
Length	182.3 in	185.8 in
Wheelbase	108.5 in	110.8 in
Cargo volume	80.3 cu ft	31.4 cu ft
Towing capacity	2,700 lb	2,000-3,500 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	5 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Hyundai Tucson starts $345 lower: $31,050 against $31,395 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Mazda CX-50 leads: 227 hp against 187 hp.
On peak torque, the Mazda CX-50 leads: 310 lb-ft against 178 lb-ft.
The Hyundai Tucson is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,572 lb against 3,741 lb.
On length, the Mazda CX-50 leads: 185.8 in against 182.3 in.
On wheelbase, the Mazda CX-50 leads: 110.8 in against 108.5 in.
On cargo volume, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 80.3 cu ft against 31.4 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Mazda CX-50 leads: 3,500 lb against 2,700 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 5 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Hyundai Tucson and the Mazda CX-50.

2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. It is named after the city of Tucson, Arizona, U.S. The second-generation model was marketed as the Hyundai ix35 in several markets, including Europe, Australia and China, before reverting to Tucson for the third-generation.

Source: Hyundai Tucson (Wikipedia)

Safety. There are dual-stage frontal impact airbags, torso side-impact airbags built into the front seats, and curtain airbags for side-impact protection for front and rear passengers. The 2009 Hyundai Tucson was rated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Frontal Rating (Driver): Frontal Rating (Passenger): Side Rating (Driver): Side Rating (Passenger):

Powertrain. The Hyundai Tucson received accolades from Canadian Car of the Year Best New Crossover award for 2005. It was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Hyundai Tucson overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (12 campaigns across the latest model years)

June 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes. Consequence: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
April 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment. Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Owners filed 283 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, most often about forward collision avoidance (148), electrical system (63), unknown or other (57).

2026 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda since 2022 for the 2023 model year, for the North American and Chinese markets. Based on the same transverse, front-wheel-drive platform as the fourth-generation Mazda3 and the CX-30, the vehicle is sold alongside the slightly smaller CX-5 and is positioned below the larger, rear-wheel-drive based CX-70.

Safety: The 2023 CX-50 was awarded the "Top Safety Pick +" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It received overall Good and Superior ratings on all categories except the non-turbo models, which received an Acceptable rating on headlights, as only the turbo models are offered with adaptive headlights.
Awards: In 2024, the CX-50 was one of five compact SUVs listed on Car and Driver's Editors' Choice.

Source: Mazda CX-50 (Wikipedia)

Design. The CX-50 was officially revealed on November 15, 2021 in the US market. Compared to the smaller CX-5, the vehicle is designed with emphasis in "active and outdoor lifestyles", by introducing squarer styling and larger body cladding. A more rugged off-road-styled variant named the Meridian Edition is also available.

Powertrain. The CX-50 is powered by the 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G inline-four engine offered in its standard naturally-aspirated (PY-VPS) form, which produces 187 horsepower (190 PS) and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged (PY-VPTS) variant that outputs 227 horsepower (230 PS) (with 87 AKI octane fuel) or 256 horsepower (260 PS) (with 93 AKI octane fuel) and 320 pound-feet of torque.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Mazda CX-50 overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)

October 2025, Suspension:Critical Fasteners. Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2025 CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid vehicles. The front suspension fastener bolts may not be tightened properly, which can result in suspension component and/or wheel detachment. Consequence: Wheel or suspension component detachment can cause a loss of vehicle control and a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
June 2025, Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:Software. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain CX-50 Hybrid and CX-50 vehicles. Incorrectly configured module software may cause the air bag to deploy improperly. Consequence: An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury during a crash.
March 2025, Trailer Hitches. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions. Consequence: A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Mazda CX-50, most often about power train (11), service brakes (8), forward collision avoidance (8).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Hyundai Tucson5 configurations →02 · 2026Mazda CX-503 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Hyundai Tucson or the 2026 Mazda CX-50?

Efficiency

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (32 vs. the 2026 Mazda CX-50's 31.5 MPG/MPGe).