The 2026 Mazda CX-50 and the 2026 Honda CR-V both rank among the most popular compact SUVs on the road. McKinney shoppers cross-shop them constantly. Both seat five, both come in gas and hybrid versions, and both carry strong reputations for reliability.
The real difference shows up once you look past the badge. Every CX-50 trim comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the CR-V's base LX trim ships front-wheel drive only. El Dorado Mazda built this comparison so Frisco and Dallas-area shoppers can see where each SUV pulls ahead.
This guide covers drivetrain, power, hybrid efficiency, safety tech, cargo space, and pricing. By the end, you will know which SUV fits how you actually drive around McKinney.
Key advantages at a glance
| Specification | Mazda CX-50 | Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $29,900 | $30,920 |
| Max Horsepower | 256 hp (2.5 Turbo) | 204 hp (Hybrid) |
| Standard Drivetrain | AWD on every trim | FWD standard, AWD optional |
| Hybrid Combined MPG (AWD to AWD) | 38 mpg | 37 mpg |
| Cargo Space (behind rear seats) | 31.4 cu ft | 39.3 cu ft |
| Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs (Turbo, as equipped) | 1,500 lbs (gas) |
| Standard Blind-Spot Monitoring | All trims | Starts at EX trim |
| Basic Warranty Coverage | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Pricing shown reflects starting MSRP before options, taxes, title, and dealer fees, and does not include destination and handling (DPH) unless noted. Fuel economy figures are EPA estimates as equipped and may vary by trim and drivetrain. Contact El Dorado Mazda to confirm current pricing and available incentives.
The Mazda CX-50 and the Honda CR-V handle all-wheel drive very differently. Every CX-50 trim, gas, turbo, or hybrid, comes with AWD built in. You never pay extra or hunt for the right trim to get it.
The CR-V takes the opposite approach. The base LX ships front-wheel drive, and you have to move up in trim to add AWD. That matters when a McKinney ice storm hits Central Expressway or a Frisco downpour floods the on-ramps. You get grip on every CX-50 without upgrading, while CR-V shoppers need to check the window sticker twice.
Mazda backs this with i-Activ AWD on gas and turbo models and e-AWD on the Hybrid. The system on your CX-50 always matches the trim you choose.
The Mazda CX-50 and the Honda CR-V both start with modest four-cylinder power, but the CX-50 pulls ahead once you add the available turbo. The standard 2.5-liter CX-50 makes 187 horsepower. The 2.5 Turbo raises that to up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel.
The CR-V's ceiling sits lower. Its turbocharged 1.5-liter gas engine produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, and its hybrid system tops out at 204 horsepower combined. Neither CR-V powertrain matches what the CX-50 Turbo delivers.
Drivers merging onto US-75 or passing on FM 546 will feel that gap. The CX-50 Turbo gives you more margin when you need it.
Compare the hybrids on equal footing and the story shifts. The Honda CR-V Hybrid earns its best-known number, an EPA-estimated 43 city / 36 highway / 40 combined mpg, only on front-wheel-drive trims. Add AWD, and that combined figure drops to 37 mpg.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is EPA-estimated at 39 city / 37 highway / 38 combined mpg, and every Hybrid trim includes e-AWD standard. Match AWD to AWD, and the CX-50 Hybrid edges the CR-V Hybrid on combined efficiency. You do not have to give up all-wheel drive to get there.
If you do not need AWD and want the CR-V's highest published number, its front-wheel-drive Hybrid delivers it.
Both automakers build strong driver-assistance suites into their compact SUVs. The CX-50's standard i-Activsense package includes Smart Brake Support with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and driver attention alert. It also adds rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring on every trim, including the base model.
Honda Sensing comes standard on every CR-V, too, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Monitor, though, do not arrive until the EX trim.
Both SUVs have earned strong crash-test ratings. The 2026 CX-50 holds an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating.
Honda designed the CR-V around hauling capacity, and it shows. The CR-V offers 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 76.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. That is noticeably more than the CX-50 provides.
The Mazda CX-50 holds 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats down. That is still enough for a Costco run or weekend bags for four. Families who regularly haul strollers, sports gear, or furniture will notice the CR-V's extra room.
The tradeoff: CX-50 buyers get standard AWD and a higher tow rating in exchange for some of that cargo space.
Pricing favors the CX-50 at both ends of the lineup. The 2026 CX-50 starts at $29,900, undercutting the CR-V LX's $30,920 starting point. On the hybrid side, the CX-50 Hybrid starts at $34,750, below the CR-V Sport Hybrid's $35,630 starting price.
Honda counters with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, a real ownership perk worth factoring into total cost. Both SUVs carry matching 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
El Dorado Mazda has served McKinney as a family-owned dealership for more than 60 years, with customers across Frisco and the greater Dallas area. Our team can walk you through current CX-50 pricing, trim options, and available incentives.
Capability-first buyers
Cargo-focused and efficiency-minded shoppers
Both SUVs hold up well in daily McKinney driving. The right pick comes down to how much you tow, how you handle North Texas weather, and how much cargo room your routine demands. El Dorado Mazda can help you compare the CX-50 against the CR-V in person.
The biggest difference is drivetrain. Every 2026 Mazda CX-50 trim comes with all-wheel drive standard, while the CR-V's base LX trim is front-wheel drive only. The CX-50 also offers a turbocharged engine with up to 256 horsepower, more than either CR-V powertrain produces. The CR-V answers back with more cargo space and a higher published mpg figure on its front-wheel-drive hybrid trims.
No. The 2026 Honda CR-V's base LX trim ships front-wheel drive, and AWD is an available upgrade you have to pay for on higher trims. The Mazda CX-50 takes the opposite approach. Every gas, turbo, and hybrid trim includes all-wheel drive standard, using i-Activ AWD or e-AWD depending on the powertrain. Shoppers who want AWD without checking a box or moving up in trim tend to favor the CX-50's approach.
Yes, in its top trim. The 2026 CX-50 2.5 Turbo produces up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The CR-V's most powerful option is its two-motor hybrid system, which produces 204 horsepower combined. Its turbocharged gas engine makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Neither CR-V powertrain reaches what the CX-50 Turbo delivers.
The 2026 CX-50 starts lower on both ends of the lineup. Its gas models start at $29,900 versus the CR-V LX's $30,920, and the CX-50 Hybrid starts at $34,750 versus the CR-V Sport Hybrid's $35,630. Honda offers two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, which offsets some of that price gap. Contact El Dorado Mazda to confirm current CX-50 pricing and available incentives.
El Dorado Mazda, located on N. Central Expressway in McKinney, carries the full CX-50 lineup, gas, turbo, and hybrid, and serves shoppers throughout Frisco and the greater Dallas area. Visit the dealership website to browse current inventory and schedule a test drive. Feel the CX-50's standard AWD and available turbo power for yourself, side by side with the Honda CR-V.
El Dorado Mazda has served McKinney as a family-owned dealership for more than 60 years, with customers throughout Frisco, Dallas, and the surrounding area. We're located at 2150 N. Central Expressway, McKinney, TX 75070.
Browse current CX-50 inventory online or reach out through our website to schedule a test drive. Our team can walk you through standard AWD, available turbo power, and current pricing. You can see how the CX-50 compares to the Honda CR-V in person.
