Mazda 3
This Honda competitor has a fuel economy advantage in all configurations, but lacks an AWD option and has less standard safety features.
Honda Civic
This Japanese competitor offers a hybrid option and better overall fuel economy, but lacks standard AWD, has less power, and surprisingly less rear seat room.
Toyota Corolla Cross
With a much-needed refresh is coming for 2026, this best-selling model's only real distinct advantage is interior space, along with slightly better fuel efficiency.
Toyota RAV4
This mainstream German competitor has a lower starting price and 2 years free maintenance, but has less power, efficiency and features across each trim.
VW Atlas Cross Sport
With a refresh coming in 2027, there will be no 2026 version of this Korean model. Although it has 25% more cargo space, its tall roofline exaggerates that advantage.
KIA Telluride
Known as the original "hot hatch" but has less power and features than the Mazda 3 Hatchback Turbo Premium Plus.
VW GTI
This Japanese model is a big seller. However, it's only advantage is just a little bit of space. It has less power paired to a CVT, less efficiency, and less overall tech and safety features.
Honda HR-V
This feature-rich Korean competitor has a broad range of models including ICE, HEV & PHEV, but falls behind in efficiency, power (non-HEV) driving dynamics and overall quality.
Hyundai Tucson
This second-best selling luxury SUV has more power and towing capability, but it's less equipped base model costs about $11k more than the top of the line Turbo S Premium Plus.
BMW X5
This Korean model gets a full redesign for 2026, with the addition of a HEV model. Adds unique top trim luxury items like massaging driver's seat and onboard camera.
Hyundai Pallisade
Although it is the #2 selling sedan in the US, it has less power, luxury & tech amenities, and space than the Mazda 3.
Toyota Corolla
This Korean competitor has both a turbo and non-turbo option, but the CX-30 standard 2.5 has almost the same power as the turbo and better efficiency than both.
KIA Seltos
A big-selling yet less premium Japanese competitor, it slightly beats CX-50 in space and efficiency in non-HEV trims. It also only offers a HEV in its top trim.
Honda CR-V
For $9k more than the Turbo S PP, this luxury SUV's entry level trim has synthetic seats, no head-up display, no adaptive cruise, emergency braking, or lane-keep assist.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
This Japanese competitor received a refesh for 2026, including updated fascia, rims, a 12.3" touchscreen with Google built-in and a 10.2" digital dash.
Honda Pilot
This Korean competitor is know for having good content, but still lacks leather/memory seats, radar adaptive cruise in lower trims, and an AWD option.
Hyundai Electra
This Japanese competitor added a hybrid model for 2026, but is still mated to a traditional belt-driven CVT. It also has less standard safety features and less power across the board than the CX-30.
Subaru Crosstrek
This competitor is more wagon than CUV, so it has an interior space advantage. But both its turbo and non-turbo options have less power than the CX-50's versions, while also having a traditional CVT.
Lexus NX 350
This Korean luxury model would cost about $14k more to meet a CX-70 Turbo S PP content-wise, and would still have less torque and fuel efficiency.
Genesis GV80
The third best selling in the segment but has less overall content than Mazda. All models are AWD for 2026 so price will increase.
Toyota Highlander
This German luxury competitor has less torque, less standard luxury & safety features, and less space than the 3, but costs about $20k more.
Audi A3
Although it's more spacious than the CX-30, this German competitor has only one engine option. It's a 1.5L I4 turbo which has less power and is less efficient than the Mazda's standard 2.5L.
VW Taos
This competitor is more wagon than CUV, so it has an interior space advantage. But both its turbo and non-turbo options have less power than the CX-50's versions, while also having a traditional CVT.
Subaru Outback
This best selling luxury SUV has a FWD based powertrain, has a 10 inch shorter wheelbase, less power & efficiency, and less standard features and cargo space.
Lexus RX 350
For the same price as a Turbo S PP, this Japanese luxury competitor's entry level model has synthetic seats, FWD, and no memory seats, heated 2nd row seats or ventilated seats.
Lexus TX