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Hyundai Tucson vs Mazda CX-50

2026 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Mazda CX-50 — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS0 – 4Mazda CX-50 wins 4 of 4 categories
Mazda CX-50

2026 Mazda CX-50

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Mazda CX-50 is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mazda CX-50 has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,812 lb (Cx50 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2021 Tucson and the 2024 CX-50 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Tucson.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

38 MPG
Best combined MPG
38 MPG
38 city
City / highway MPG (best)
39 city
$1,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,750

Performance & space

187 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
227 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
182.3 in
Length
185.8 in
73.2 in
Width
75.6 in
64.2 in
Height
63.8 in
3,340 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,812 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
13
6
Recalls (2026)
0
29
Recalls, all years since 2005
7
99
Owner complaints (latest year)
14

Interest

22,259
Wikipedia views, 30 days
7,645

Buying used

2021
Best used year
2024
2016
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if…

  • You want more power (up to 227 vs 187 hp)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 29 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Mazda CX-50

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Full 2026 Mazda CX-50 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →