Compare/CX-5 vs. Rogue

Configuration-aware comparison

2026 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2025 Nissan Rogue

The Rogue is the efficient, lower-priced choice: EPA rates it 32 mpg combined with front-wheel drive against 26 for the CX-5, and it starts about $2,700 less. The CX-5 offers standard all-wheel drive and Google built-in on every trim, but its 187-horsepower engine has no hybrid until 2027.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications6 linked sources

Which to choose, and why

Fuel economy and powertrain

The 2026 CX-5 has one powertrain, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower, rated 24 city, 30 highway and 26 combined mpg by the EPA, and CarGurus (opens in a new tab) calls the carried-over engine and its six-speed automatic relics next to rivals that now offer hybrids, adding that the CX-5 has no hybrid option until 2027 and advising those who want efficiency or performance to wait for it. The Rogue uses a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo, rated 29/36 and 32 combined with front-wheel drive and 28/35 and 31 with all-wheel drive. Revved Up Cars (opens in a new tab) puts that gap at 32 mpg combined against 26.

Price and drivetrain

Revved Up Cars lists the Rogue at $29,000 against $31,700 for the CX-5, a difference of $2,700. The CX-5's counterweight is that all-wheel drive is standard on every trim, which CarGurus notes alongside Google built-in as a first in the segment; the Rogue is sold with front- or all-wheel drive, so the cheapest Rogue does not include it. The Rogue Rock Creek, in CarGurus's words, adds all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, a roof rack, a surround-view camera and hill-descent control for buyers who want off-road looks and gear.

Space and what reviewers say

The 2026 CX-5 is longer, wider and more spacious than the model it replaces, and CarGurus says rear passenger space and cargo room have noticeably improved; its verdict is that it is one of the best-looking and best-equipped compact crossovers, held back by a sluggish, thirsty powertrain and interior quirks. Nissan's own comparison page (opens in a new tab), a manufacturer source, claims 36.5 cubic feet of cargo volume for the Rogue against 33.7 for the CX-5. CarGurus's verdict on the Rogue is that its reasonable price and array of comfort and tech features aim it at the heart of the segment.

Questions buyers ask

Does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 come as a hybrid?

No. CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says there is no CX-5 hybrid option until 2027; the 2026 model uses a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder.

Is all-wheel drive standard on the CX-5 and the Rogue?

On the CX-5, yes: it is standard on every trim. The Rogue is sold with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Which gets better gas mileage, the CX-5 or the Rogue?

The Rogue. EPA ratings are 32 combined mpg with front-wheel drive and 31 with all-wheel drive, against 26 combined for the CX-5.

Decision fieldMazda CX-5Nissan Rogue

Power187 hp201 hp

DrivetrainAWDFWD / AWD

Trim map5 published positions5 published positions

Seating55

Powertrain contextEngine: 2.5L I-4 · Output: 187 hpPowertrain: 1.5L variable-compression turbo three-cylinder · Output: 201 hp

Towing contextVerify exact configurationThe most the 2025 Nissan Rogue is published to tow is 1,500 lb.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

CX-5: Engine 2.5L I-4; Output 187 hp. Rogue: Powertrain 1.5L variable-compression turbo three-cylinder; Output 201 hp.

Drivetrain

The CX-5 is represented with AWD; the Rogue with FWD / AWD. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The CX-5 comes in 5 trims and the Rogue in 5. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

No model-level tow maximum is used without a configuration check. The most the 2025 Nissan Rogue is published to tow is 1,500 lb.

Seating & cargo

Seating for 5 is published for the 2026 CX-5. The 2025 Nissan Rogue seats 5 (compact SUV).

Model-year note: the Nissan Rogue figures below come from EPA's 2026 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Mazda CX-5: 1 records · Nissan Rogue: 3 records.

Decision field	Mazda CX-5	Nissan Rogue
Exact EPA records	1	3
Model / option labels	1	3
Drive layouts	4-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI	1.5L 3-cyl SIDI
Transmissions	Automatic (S6)	Automatic (AV-S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	26 MPG/MPGe	29–32 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2500 per year	$2050–2250 per year

Head to head

Mazda CX-5 vs. Nissan Rogue: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Mazda CX-5	Nissan Rogue
Starting price (KBB base)	$31,485	$30,635
Top trim price (KBB base)	$40,485	$40,535
Horsepower	187 hp	201 hp
Torque	186 lb-ft	225 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	9.6 sec	n/a
Curb weight	3,856 lb	3,607-3,737 lb
Length	184.6 in	183 in
Wheelbase	110.8 in	106.5 in
Cargo volume	66.5 cu ft	74.1 cu ft
Towing capacity	1,500 lb	1,500 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 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 Nissan Rogue starts $850 lower: $30,635 against $31,485 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Nissan Rogue leads: 201 hp against 187 hp.
On peak torque, the Nissan Rogue leads: 225 lb-ft against 186 lb-ft.
The Nissan Rogue is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,607 lb against 3,856 lb.
On length, the Mazda CX-5 leads: 184.6 in against 183 in.
On wheelbase, the Mazda CX-5 leads: 110.8 in against 106.5 in.
On cargo volume, the Nissan Rogue leads: 74.1 cu ft against 66.5 cu ft.
Both list the same maximum towing capacity: 1,500 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Mazda CX-5 and the Nissan Rogue.

2026 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV produced by Mazda since 2012, a successor to both the Tribute and the slightly larger CX-7. It is Mazda's first model to feature the "Kodo" design language and the first model to be fully developed with a range of technologies branded as Skyactiv, including a rigid, lightweight platform combined with a series of engines and transmissions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

Source: Mazda CX-5 (Wikipedia)

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

Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA for the 2026 Mazda CX-5, most often about unknown or other (6), electrical system (5), visibility/wiper (3).

2026 Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan. It made its debut in October 2007 for the 2008 model year. Beginning in 2013 for the 2014 model year, the model has been merged with the X-Trail sold outside the North American market, making them identical.

Safety: Safety features in the Rogue include front airbags, side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors, tire-pressure monitor, ABS with brake-assist and electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and anti-skid control.

Source: Nissan Rogue (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Nissan Rogue overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)

June 2026, Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl). Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Rogue vehicles. The instrument panel may not display the transmission gear selection indicator. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift… Consequence: A missing gear selection indicator may lead to unintended vehicle movement or a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
February 2026, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Rogue vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. Increased temperatures can break down the engine oil, which may cause the engine bearings to seize and become damaged, leading to engine… Consequence: Engine failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to…
February 2026, Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Throttlebody/Manifold. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Rogue vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The gears in the electronic throttle body assembly may break. Consequence: Broken throttle body gears can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 182 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Nissan Rogue, most often about unknown or other (75), visibility/wiper (48), visibility (31).

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Mazda CX-5 or the 2026 Nissan Rogue?

Efficiency

The 2026 Nissan Rogue lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30.5 vs. the 2026 Mazda CX-5's 26 MPG/MPGe).