Compare performance (141 HP vs 190 HP), boot space and price (30,000 £ vs 29,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda CX-5 or Skoda Karoq?
All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.
The Mazda CX-5 arrives with a sense of occasion — sculpted lines and a posture that suggests it wants to be driven, not just parked outside the supermarket. The Skoda Karoq, by contrast, trades drama for sensible confidence: upright, tidy, and subtly clever in its proportions. Both make a strong first impression, but they signal very different priorities to prospective buyers.
Behind the wheel the Mazda leans into a more engaging character, with steering and suspension that invite a spirited route rather than mere point A to B commuting. The Karoq favours composure and predictability, rewarding calm inputs and offering a reassuring, uncomplicated driving experience that’s easy to live with every day. If you value involvement, you’ll notice it; if you prize low-stress confidence, the Karoq delivers.
Inside, the Mazda aims for a premium, driver-focused ambience with materials and ergonomics that feel considered and slightly upscale for the segment. The Karoq counters with a bright, practical cabin that makes clever use of space and sensible storage — everything has a place and feels easy to reach. Both are comfortable, but they appeal to different tastes: one leans towards refinement, the other toward functional comfort.
When it comes to family duties, the Mazda is more likely to impress with flexible load-lugging and a straightforward approach to carrying larger items, while the Karoq scores points for smart stowage, visibility, and everyday convenience features that make school runs and shopping trips less of a hassle. Rear-seat comfort and accessibility are strong suits for both, yet the Karoq’s pragmatic layout feels designed around real-world family needs. Buyers who juggle kids, dogs and weekend hobbies will find useful strengths in each car.
The Karoq tends to appeal to the pragmatic buyer who wants predictable running costs and an easy-to-live-with companion that doesn’t demand fuss. The Mazda, while still sensible, leans a bit more toward style and driving pleasure — owners who value those traits should expect to enjoy the car in daily use. Servicing, insurance and overall ownership feel are both reasonable, so choice comes down to whether emotional appeal or practical thrift wins your heart.
If visual appeal is high on your checklist the Mazda’s design holds more theatrical currency and will attract looks at the lights; it feels like a car that was styled with intent. The Karoq, meanwhile, is the understated team player: less flashy but broadly appealing, comfortable in any driveway and unlikely to date quickly. Tasteful versus pragmatic sums up the divide — pick the one that matches your personality.
Both cars offer compelling reasons to be on your shortlist depending on whether you prioritise engagement, practicality, or day-to-day sensibility — and that choice is exactly what makes this comparison interesting. Keep reading to see which model Walks away with the DriveDuel Champion badge afterwards.
Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.
Skoda Karoq is only slightly cheaper – starting at 29,100 £ , while the Mazda CX-5 costs 30,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 909 £.
Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Skoda Karoq uses 4.9 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mazda CX-5 with 7 L/100km. The difference is about 2.1 L/100km.
Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.
When it comes to engine power, the Skoda Karoq offers markedly more power – delivering 190 HP compared to 141 HP. That’s roughly 49 HP more horsepower.
When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Skoda Karoq is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 7 s, while the Mazda CX-5 takes 10.5 s. That’s about 3.5 s quicker.
There’s also a difference in torque: the Skoda Karoq delivers noticeably more torque with 360 Nm compared to 238 Nm. That’s about 122 Nm more.
Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.
Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.
In terms of curb weight, Skoda Karoq is slightly lighter – 1,380 kg compared to 1,629 kg. The difference is around 249 kg.
Looking at boot space, the Skoda Karoq offers somewhat more boot space – 521 L compared to 466 L. That’s a difference of about 55 L.
When it comes to payload, the Mazda CX-5 carries very slightly more – 601 kg compared to 549 kg. That’s a difference of about 52 kg.
The Skoda Karoq is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.
The Mazda CX-5 blends sporty handling with a refined, premium interior, making everyday driving feel engaging and comfortable. It pairs stylish design and thoughtful cabin materials with user-friendly tech to deliver a well-rounded compact SUV that suits drivers who want more driver involvement without sacrificing practicality.
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Skoda Karoq is a smartly packaged compact SUV that balances practical family-friendly space with composed handling, making daily drives feel easy and assured. Its straightforward design, roomy cabin with clever storage solutions, and sensible equipment make it a strong choice for buyers seeking value and versatility without fuss.
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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
30,000 - 39,500 £
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Price
29,100 - 41,700 £
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Consumption L/100km
7 - 7.5 L/100km
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Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 7.6 L/100km
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Electric Range
-
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Electric Range
-
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Battery Capacity
-
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Battery Capacity
-
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co2
157 - 169 g/km
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co2
128 - 173 g/km
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Dimensions and Body |
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Body Type
SUV
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Body Type
SUV
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Seats
5
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Seats
5
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Doors
-
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Doors
-
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Curb weight
1,629 - 1,671 kg
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Curb weight
1,380 - 1,655 kg
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Trunk capacity
466 L
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Trunk capacity
521 L
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Length
-
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Length
-
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Width
1,860 mm
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Width
1,841 mm
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Height
-
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Height
-
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Payload
566 - 601 kg
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Payload
456 - 549 kg
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Engine and Performance |
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Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
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Engine Type
Petrol, Diesel
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Transmission
Automatic
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Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
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Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
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Power HP
141 HP
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Power HP
115 - 190 HP
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.5 - 10.9 s
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
7 - 11.2 s
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Max Speed
-
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Max Speed
-
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Torque
238 Nm
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Torque
200 - 360 Nm
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Number of Cylinders
4
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Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
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Power kW
104 kW
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Power kW
85 - 140 kW
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Engine capacity
2,488 cm3
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Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3
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General |
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Model Year
2025
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Model Year
2025
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CO2 Efficiency Class
F
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CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F
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Brand
Mazda
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Brand
Skoda
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Deutschland
France
Nederland
Great Britain
Sverige
Danmark
Suomi
Italia
Polska
Česko
España