Hyundai Tucson vs. Mazda CX-5 for UAE Drivers

The Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 are both compact crossover SUVs that have held their respective roosts well. While they occupy the same segment, their purpose and target audience are not the same. Where the Tucson is newer and offers more modern amenities, the CX-5 is still sportier and the driver’s choice. So, let’s find out which of these two cars comes up on top.

Exterior

The Mazda CX-5 looks more compact than the Hyundai Tucson – pretty much a hatchback on stilts. It is still the sportiest-looking of the two, mainly due to its taut and well-trimmed proportions. Then there is its Sports Plus variant with black bits of trim dotted across the bodywork, highlighting the car’s athletic appeal further.

The CX-5 also gets dual tailpipes finished in chrome, a sleek front fascia with projector headlamps, and 19-inch black alloy wheels. Its other eye-catching features include the stylish taillights and Soul Red Crystal color. Mazda cars are famous for their excellent paint quality, so that’s a definite plus for the CX-5.

The Hyundai Tucson has a unique-looking front fascia with the brand’s “Parametric Jewel” design, highlighted by the wing-shaped LED DRLs. The dark-tinted grille looks bold, while the Tucson’s dual-LED headlights are located in the bumper with air curtains placed on the corners. There is sculpted plastic trim on the bumpers plus exaggerated black plastic on the wheel arches and doors.

The 19-inch wheels of the Tucson are fancier and look nice. Meanwhile, the shiny trim on the D-pillars and the chiseled bodywork along the sides add to the premiumness of this Hyundai. The integrated roof spoiler of the Tucson is more apparent, as is the fang-like twin-element LED taillight. There is also a full-width light bar at the back.

Interior

If you like a traditional yet functional interior with few distractions, look no further than the Mazda CX-5. While it’s showing its age now, the CX-5’s interior remains a classy, well-built & high-quality chamber of sporty driving experience. Most of the controls feel tactile and intuitive to use, while the leather seats are well-padded and are comfortable for four adults.

However, seating three adults in the back isn’t a good idea and that also leads to almost no rearward visibility for the driver. Most of the touchpoints feel premium, with the doors closing with a rather satisfying thud! The sporty driving position will urge you to drive the CX-5 quicker, though you sit lower than in the Tucson. Furthermore, the CX-5 misses out on a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen center display.

The Hyundai Tucson not gets a digital driver’s display as well a widescreen infotainment unit. Its interior is also more modern and spacious, capable of seating five occupants with relative ease and enough comfort. The seats feel more substantial and accommodating, whilst the larger greenhouse and wider cabin make for an airier experience.

You also sit higher up in the Tucson which, combined with its larger size, provides a more commanding view from inside. The Tucson’s boot is much larger than the CX-5’s, making it more practical for families. To this end, the Hyundai also has more usable storage cubbies in the cabin. However, the Tucson’s interior still doesn’t feel as purposeful and high-quality as the Mazda.

Features

When comparing the features of these two cars, it’s clear that the Hyundai Tucson is the more modern one here. It has two 10.25-inch HD screens, and the touch-infotainment system feels modern and easy to use. Its stand-out features include multi-color LED mood lighting, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a modern shift-by-wire gear selector.

The Mazda CX-5 has a 10-speaker Bose audio system, whereas the Tucson’s is an 8-speaker system by Bose. Both cars have Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, powered front seats with memory, keyless entry & go, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and a powered tailgate. They both get adaptive cruise control, surround-view cameras, 6 airbags, forward-collision warning, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist, electronic stability control, a head-up display, and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold.

Engine & Performance

The Mazda CX-5 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 188 hp and 252 Nm. This motor uses a 6-speed automatic gearbox that primarily drives the front wheels, though an all-wheel-drive system is available. The CX-5’s fuel consumption is 14.4 km/L (6.9 L/100 km). Moreover, it can hit 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 210 km/h.

The Hyundai Tucson offers buyers three engine options. There’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 152 hp, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 hp, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 178 hp. Their torque figures are 192 Nm, 242 Nm, and 265 Nm, respectively. The Tucson is mainly FWD, though the top-spec 2.5-liter version gets AWD. The transmission options include a 6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic, and a 7-speed DCT.

The heavier Hyundai Tucson isn’t as fast as the CX-5, with a top speed ranging between 181 to 201 km/h. It takes the Tucson between 8.8 to 11.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, which means it’s not as quick as the Mazda either.

Prices & Verdict

The Mazda CX-5 in the UAE costs from around AED 90,000 to AED 133,000, depending on the variants available. The Hyundai Tucson is priced from around AED 96,000 to AED 126,000, which can vary based on the available trim levels. The Tucson is the more spacious, comfortable, feature-packed car here. However, if you love driving and performance matters to you (plus a high-quality cabin), the CX-5 is your car.

On the other hand, if you want a more affordable Hyundai SUV, click here. But if you want to check out a cool Mazda concept car, click here.