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Mazda CX-5 vs Skoda Kodiaq comparison

Compare performance (141 HP vs 265 HP), boot space and price (30,000 £ vs 37,900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda CX-5 or Skoda Kodiaq?

Mazda CX-5 vs Skoda Kodiaq: Key differences

Mazda CX-5

4.6 (9 Reviews)
rate
  • visibly cheaper
  • marginally lighter
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Skoda Kodiaq

4.9 (5 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
  • significantly more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

CX-5

Head-to-head: Mazda CX-5 VS Skoda Kodiaq — short summary for buyers

Mazda CX-5 VS Skoda Kodiaq frames a clear practical choice: the Mazda aims for refined everyday comfort and neat rear‑access ergonomics, while the Skoda doubles down on outright space and long‑distance calm. The CX-5 feels like a thoughtfully packaged compact family SUV with modern Google integration and user‑friendly entry points; the Kodiaq arrives as a roomier, travel‑focused machine with options that broaden its use case. Each car trades something away — the Mazda gives up outright punch and some material polish for a quieter urban footprint, the Kodiaq trades compactness and a lower price for cargo capacity and drivetrain breadth. Read on for how those trade‑offs play out where they matter most in daily life.

Kodiaq

Driving character and performance: relaxed versus brawny

The Mazda CX-5 drives with a composed, predictible character that favours steady steering and comfort over excitement; its powertrain feels measured and the gearbox smooths out moments where you might want more shove. By contrast, the Skoda Kodiaq comes across as the more capable mover—stronger torque, brisker responses and options that suit highway overtakes and towing chores better. That advantage, however, comes with a softer, less communicative steering and a larger footprint that blunts urban agility compared with the CX-5. So if you value relaxed confidence and a more intimate driving feel pick the Mazda; if you need low‑end shove, load‑carrying or PHEV/diesel efficiency for long runs, the Kodiaq is the more capable tool.

CX-5

Comfort and long‑distance behaviour: body and noise trade-offs

On long journeys the Skoda Kodiaq earns its keep with an inherently calm, stable ride that soaks up motorway miles and keeps occupants insulated from wind and road noise in most conditions. The Mazda CX-5 is also comfortable and offers welcoming seats and easy rear access, but its engine becomes more present under load and coarse tyre/road noise is more noticeable at higher speeds. Kodiaq’s suspension options can make it especially refined on the motorway, though large wheels can reduce that advantage; Mazda keeps a generally softer, cosseting feel that suits daily commuting and shorter tours better. In short, choose the Kodiaq if long‑distance serenity and steady cruise manners top your list, and the CX-5 if you prioritise plush daily comfort with easy family access.

Kodiaq

Practicality and family usability: cargo, access and seating choices

The Skoda Kodiaq is the practical heavyweight of this pairing — generous interior space, an optional third row for occasional passengers and a boot that swallows more luggage than the Mazda. The Mazda CX-5 punches above its size with very usable rear doors, easy child‑seat access and a cleverly shaped load bay that feels more manageable day‑to‑day. The Kodiaq’s scale brings real advantages for family holidays or towing, but its width and length make tight parking more work and some powertrain choices (notably the PHEV) restrict seating or boot flexibility. Families who regularly need maximum cargo or a seventh seat will lean to the Kodiaq; families who value tidy daily usability and simpler loading will find the CX-5 easier to live with.

CX-5

Cabin feel and infotainment: tactility versus connected simplicity

Cabin character diverges in a way you notice every day: the Mazda CX-5 offers a restrained, modern cockpit with deep Google integration and over‑the‑air updates, yet its touch‑centric controls and mixed material finishes can feel less tactile and occasionally fiddly. The Skoda Kodiaq trades some digital gloss for pragmatic ergonomics — a large screen paired with physical Smart Dials keeps core functions quick and reduces menu diving, and overall materials read as more consistently homely. Neither cabin is flawless: Mazda can disappoint tactile traditionalists, and the Kodiaq shows a few budget cues like light haptic dials and a camera image that isn’t always crisp. If you prize digital services and a cleaner tech stack the CX-5 has pull; if you want everyday usability and logical controls the Kodiaq wins on convenience.

Kodiaq

Which buyer should consider which car — clear fits and compromises

If your life revolves around long motorway miles, towing or hauling large loads the Skoda Kodiaq is the pragmatic, roomy choice with diesel efficiency or a PHEV option that suits mixed‑use ownership. The Mazda CX-5 better fits buyers who want a smaller‑feeling family SUV with easy rear access, a strong warranty package and modern Google‑first infotainment, accepting a less vigorous powertrain in exchange. Budget and packaging matter too: the CX-5 tends to be the more wallet‑friendly, tech‑centric alternative, while the Kodiaq costs more but returns real utility and drivetrain variety. Below technical sheets will make those trade‑offs explicit in numbers — use those to confirm which practical strengths matter most to your day‑to‑day life.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

CX-5

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Mazda CX-5 is visibly cheaper – starting at 30,000 £ , while the Skoda Kodiaq costs 37,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,886 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Skoda Kodiaq uses 1.5 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Mazda CX-5 with 7 L/100km. The difference is about 5.5 L/100km.

Kodiaq

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Skoda Kodiaq offers considerably more power – delivering 265 HP compared to 141 HP. That’s roughly 124 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Skoda Kodiaq is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 6.3 s, while the Mazda CX-5 takes 10.5 s. That’s about 4.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Skoda Kodiaq delivers considerably more torque with 400 Nm compared to 238 Nm. That’s about 162 Nm more.

CX-5

Space and Everyday Use:

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, Mazda CX-5 is marginally lighter – 1,629 kg compared to 1,684 kg. The difference is around 55 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Skoda Kodiaq offers significantly more boot space – 910 L compared to 466 L. That’s a difference of about 444 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mazda CX-5 carries marginally more – 601 kg compared to 563 kg. That’s a difference of about 38 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Skoda Kodiaq 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.

from £37,900
Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

  • Engine Type Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 150 - 265 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.5 - 8.2 L/100km
  • Electric Range 119 - 122 km
Mazda CX-5
Skoda Kodiaq

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mazda CX-5

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.

details

Skoda Kodiaq

The Skoda Kodiaq is a practical, well built family SUV that puts space, comfort and usefulness ahead of showy gimmicks. Its composed ride, clever interior packaging and sensible feature set make it an easy, unpretentious choice for daily driving and longer journeys.

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Mazda CX-5
Skoda Kodiaq

Costs and Consumption

Price
30,000 - 39,500 £
Price
37,900 - 50,600 £
Consumption L/100km
7 - 7.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.5 - 8.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
119 - 122 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
157 - 169 g/km
co2
35 - 186 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,629 - 1,671 kg
Curb weight
1,684 - 1,970 kg
Trunk capacity
466 L
Trunk capacity
745 - 910 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,860 mm
Width
1,864 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
566 - 601 kg
Payload
460 - 563 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
141 HP
Power HP
150 - 265 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.5 - 10.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.3 - 9.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
238 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
104 kW
Power kW
110 - 195 kW
Engine capacity
2,488 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, G, E, B
Brand
Mazda
Brand
Skoda
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.