The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid returns up to 40 MPG city, a significant efficiency edge over the 2026 Mazda CX-5's 24 MPG city rating. Both crossovers share identical 3-year/5-year warranty coverage, yet they differ sharply on powertrain options and cargo room. This page maps out every key number so Ponca City shoppers can match the right SUV to their needs and browse available inventory.
The Short Answer
Shoppers who want the best fuel economy and the widest choice of powertrains should lean toward the CR-V, particularly in any hybrid trim. Buyers who prioritize a sporty, premium cabin feel and standard AWD across every trim will find the CX-5 compelling. Neither dominates everywhere, but the CR-V holds a clear edge in cargo space and efficiency while the CX-5 leads in standard torque and all-wheel-drive availability.
Specs Head-to-Head
| Spec |
2026 Honda CR-V |
2026 Mazda CX-5 |
| Engine |
1.5L Turbo I-4 gas / 2.0L I-4 + Two Electric Motors hybrid |
2.5L DOHC I-4 with cylinder deactivation |
| Horsepower |
190 hp gas trims / 204 hp total system hybrid trims |
187 hp |
| Torque |
179 lb-ft gas / 247 lb-ft electric motor hybrid |
186 lb-ft |
| Transmission |
CVT |
6-speed automatic |
| Standard Drivetrain |
FWD, AWD optional |
AWD standard on all trims |
| EPA Fuel Economy Gas/FWD |
28 city / 33 hwy / 30 combined |
24 city / 30 hwy / 26 combined |
| EPA Fuel Economy Hybrid |
Up to 40 city / 34 hwy / 37 combined, Sport-L Hybrid AWD |
N/A |
| Cargo Behind 2nd Row |
39.3 cu ft gas / 36.3 cu ft hybrid |
33.7 cu ft |
| Max Cargo |
76.5 cu ft gas / 71.8 cu ft hybrid |
66.5 cu ft |
| Seating |
5 |
5 |
| Length |
184.8 in |
184.6 in |
| Towing Capacity |
1,500 lbs gas trims / 1,000 lbs hybrid trims |
1,500 lbs |
| Powertrain Warranty |
5 years / 60,000 miles |
5 years / 60,000 miles |
Full 2026 CR-V specs and trim breakdown
Performance and Powertrain
The CR-V gives buyers two distinct powertrain paths. Gas trims, including LX, EX, and EX-L, carry a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder making 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. Hybrid trims, including Sport Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid, use a 2.0L inline-four combined with two electric motors for 204 hp total system output. The electric motor alone generates 247 lb-ft of torque at zero RPM, which translates to strong, immediate response from a stop.
The Mazda CX-5 uses a single powertrain choice: a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder with cylinder deactivation, producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic. That transmission is a traditional geared unit rather than a CVT, which many drivers prefer for its predictable shift feel. AWD is standard on every CX-5 trim, while CR-V buyers on gas trims must add AWD as an option. TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid include AWD as standard.
For buyers who want towing, the gas-engine CR-V trims handle up to 1,500 lbs. The hybrid CR-V trims are rated at 1,000 lbs. The CX-5 is rated at 1,500 lbs.
Interior, Space, and Cargo
Cargo capacity is one of the CR-V's clearest wins. Behind the second row, the gas-trim CR-V offers 39.3 cu ft versus the CX-5's 33.7 cu ft. That difference grows when both rows are folded: the CR-V reaches 76.5 cu ft on gas trims compared to the CX-5's 66.5 cu ft. CR-V hybrid trims carry slightly less cargo space than gas trims due to the hybrid battery, with 36.3 cu ft behind the second row and 71.8 cu ft max, but they still outpace the CX-5.
Both vehicles seat five passengers. The CR-V provides 41.3 inches of front legroom and 41.0 inches of rear legroom. The Mazda CX-5 brief does not include interior dimension figures, so a direct legroom comparison cannot be stated.
Inside the CR-V, even the base LX brings wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and a 9-inch touchscreen. Moving up to EX adds heated front seats, a moonroof, and dual-zone climate control. The Sport Touring Hybrid tops the range with leather-trimmed seats, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free power tailgate, and a Bose 12-speaker audio system.
The CX-5 cabin is widely regarded for its quality feel, and the specs support premium content at higher trims: a 12-speaker Bose system on 2.5 S Premium and above, a head-up display from the 2.5 S Preferred trim up, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen on most trims, with a 15.6-inch screen available on 2.5 S Premium Plus.
2026 CR-V interior features and trim guide
Technology and Safety
Both SUVs arrive with thorough standard safety suites. The CR-V's Honda Sensing bundle includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and Traffic Jam Assist, lane keeping assist, road sign recognition, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor. Blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert become standard on EX and above. Front and rear parking sensors appear on EX-L, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid.
Mazda's standard safety list on the CX-5 is equally thorough: forward collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, emergency steering assist, safe exit warning, traffic sign recognition, a driver attention monitor, and lane keeping assistance via Emergency Lane Keeping. The CX-5 adds a 360-degree camera system on higher trims.
On infotainment, the CR-V's 9-inch touchscreen is standard across all trims, with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto on every model. The Sport Touring Hybrid adds Google built-in with a 3-year unlimited data plan. The CX-5 carries a larger standard screen, but offers Google built-in only as a 1-year complimentary trial. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on 2.5 S Select and above, not on the base 2.5 S. The CR-V provides wireless connectivity at every trim level, which is the broader offering.
EPA fuel economy ratings for 2026 CR-V
Value and Ownership
Warranty coverage is identical: both carry a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Efficiency is where the CR-V separates itself most sharply. The base gas CR-V already returns 28 city / 33 hwy on FWD, beating the CX-5's 24 city / 30 hwy. Choose any hybrid CR-V trim and those numbers climb further, with the Sport Hybrid FWD reaching 43 city / 36 hwy. Drivers who cover substantial highway miles around Ponca City and surrounding areas will feel that efficiency gap in every fill-up.
Standard content at entry level also favors the CR-V. Wireless charging, wireless CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto come on the LX, which is the lowest trim in the lineup. The CX-5's base 2.5 S does not include wireless phone charging or wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.
The CX-5's standard AWD across every trim is a genuine advantage for buyers who want all-weather traction without trim shopping. The CR-V requires selecting AWD on most gas trims as an option, and only the TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid include AWD as standard.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the 2026 Honda CR-V if you:
- Want hybrid efficiency up to 40 MPG city and prefer not to pay for premium fuel
- Need more cargo room for family gear, Costco runs, or weekend trips
- Want wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone charging on even the entry trim
- Prefer a wide trim selection, from a gas LX through a Sport Touring Hybrid
Choose the 2026 Mazda CX-5 if you:
- Want standard AWD without selecting an option or upgrading a trim
- Prefer a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission over a CVT
- Value a large standard touchscreen and premium cabin feel
- Do not need hybrid efficiency and prefer a conventional powertrain
Both are well-matched in size and warranty. The CR-V wins on cargo room, fuel economy, and breadth of powertrain options. The CX-5 counters with standard AWD, a larger standard screen, and a single-powertrain simplicity that some buyers prefer.
Find Your 2026 CR-V at Heather Cannon Honda in Ponca City
Heather Cannon Honda serves buyers across Ponca City and the surrounding region with current 2026 CR-V inventory spanning gas and hybrid trims. Whether the efficiency of the Sport Hybrid or the full-feature package of the Sport Touring Hybrid fits your situation better, the team can walk through a side-by-side comparison in person. Check available inventory online or stop in to drive both trim families back-to-back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Honda CR-V get better gas mileage than the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
Yes. The CR-V gas trims return 28 city / 33 hwy versus the CX-5's 24 city / 30 hwy. CR-V hybrid trims push those figures further, with the Sport Hybrid reaching 43 city / 36 hwy on FWD.
Which has more cargo space, the CR-V or the CX-5?
The CR-V. Gas trims carry 39.3 cu ft behind the second row and 76.5 cu ft maximum. The CX-5 offers 33.7 cu ft behind the second row and 66.5 cu ft maximum.
Does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 come standard with AWD?
Yes. AWD is standard on all CX-5 trims. The CR-V offers FWD as standard on most trims, with AWD optional. TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid include AWD as standard.
Does the 2026 CR-V have wireless Apple CarPlay?
Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on every CR-V trim, including the base LX.
What safety features does the 2026 CR-V include?
Every CR-V includes Honda Sensing with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, lane keeping assist, road sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on EX and above.
Which SUV has a better warranty?
Both are equal. The CR-V and the CX-5 carry a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Does the 2026 CR-V offer a hybrid?
Yes. Four hybrid trims are available: Sport Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid. All use a 2.0L four-cylinder paired with two electric motors for 204 hp total system output. The CX-5 does not offer a hybrid variant for the U.S. market.
