Compact SUVs are bread-and-butter vehicles for automakers and among the most popular choices for today’s drivers, and it’s easy to see why. They’re eminently practical, won’t break the budget, and far more fuel efficient and easier to drive than bulky utility vehicles of yore. Two appealing options in this segment include the 2025 Mazda CX-5 and the 2025 GMC Terrain.
Today, we compare these two to help you decide which may be the better compact SUV for you.
2025 Mazda CX-5
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is practical, affordable, and efficient, so it definitely hits the right notes for today’s compact SUV shopper. Yet the Mazda CX-5 is also among the most fun-to-drive vehicles of its kind. Even with the base 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, this Mazda is more invigorating than you might expect. If you opt for the turbocharged CX-5 with up to 256 horsepower, this SUV becomes all the more invigorating.
All CX-5 models come with a long list of standard features, including all-wheel drive (AWD) and driver assist features like adaptive cruise control. This year sees the return of the base S trim, which means an even more approachable starting price.
Mazda CX-5 Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive: Mazda is among the few automakers whose lineup of SUVs comes standard with all-wheel drive. It’s available on the Terrain, but costs extra.
Premium design: The CX-5 is stylish inside and out. Its exterior is curvy and athletic, and Mazda continues to create some of the most eye-popping paint colors we’ve ever seen on a mainstream brand. Inside, Mazda’s fine build quality and premium materials make it feel like a more expensive vehicle.
Turbo engine: If you’re buying a Mazda CX-5 for its athletic nature and really want to make the most of its excellent chassis, consider opting for this upgrade engine. The GMC Terrain offers no such performance upgrade.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CX-5 models for sale near you.
2025 GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is all-new for 2025, and brings with it bolder looks, great technology, and a host of new safety and driver assistance features. It uses a familiar powertrain from the last generation — a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 175 hp. Front-wheel-drive models use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while all-wheel-drive models have an 8-speed automatic. Models with all-wheel drive also get more torque — 203 lb-ft versus the 184 lb-ft in front-drive models.
For 2025, the Terrain is offered in just one trim: Elevation. GMC is rolling out AT4 and Denali versions for the 2026 model year.
GMC Terrain Highlights
Massive touchscreen: The Terrain looks like a tech powerhouse inside thanks to the prominent 15-inch vertically oriented touchscreen and 11-inch digital instrument cluster. Both convey a wealth of information and are easy to use. The Mazda simply can’t match them.
Heated seats, steering wheel: The 2025 GMC Terrain includes heated front seats and heated steering wheel, which you won’t get as standard in the CX-5.
Two-tone roof: The Terrain already stands out with its rugged new design. Opting for a two-tone treatment with a contrast-color roof makes this SUV further pop visually.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Terrain models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Mazda CX-5 and GMC Terrain both utilize 4-cylinder engines, have similar rear-seat legroom and cargo room, and each brings its own distinct design.
Pricing
New 2025 MAZDA CX-5 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$30,265 |
$28,878 |
|||
$31,595 |
$29,939 |
|||
$32,245 |
$31,200 |
|||
$33,845 |
$32,508 |
|||
$36,895 |
$35,463 |
|||
$38,695 |
$37,313 |
|||
$39,495 |
$38,061 |
|||
$42,295 |
$40,924 |
New 2025 GMC Terrain Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$31,395 |
$29,856 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 MAZDA CX-5 vehicles and New 2025 GMC Terrain vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 MAZDA CX-5 | 2025 GMC Terrain | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000 pounds | 800 pounds |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 175 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic, 6-speed skyactiv-drive w/manual & sport modes | Automatic, CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 23 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg | 26 city/28 highway/27 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.2 inches | 107.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 180.1 inches | 181.0 inches |
| Width | 83.3 inches | N/A |
| Height | 66.1 inches | 66.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.1 feet | 37.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.7 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.0 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.0 inches | 40.6 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.1 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 54.8 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 59.3 feet | 63.5 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The GMC Terrain has all-new appeal for 2025 thanks to its rugged new design and some of the best tech in the segment. Those factors alone might just win you over. The Mazda CX-5, though older in its lifecycle, appeals with more trim choices, standard all-wheel drive, more power, an optional turbo engine, designer looks, and a lower starting price. Determining which of these traits appeals most to you can help lead you to the right one.
