Compare performance (190 HP vs 141 HP), boot space and price (29,100 £ vs 30,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Skoda Karoq or Mazda CX-5?
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 barely 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 considerably more efficient than the Mazda CX-5 with 7 L/100km. The difference is about 2.1 L/100km.
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 Karoq offers noticeably 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 substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 7 s, while the Mazda CX-5 takes 10.5 s. That’s about 3.5 s quicker.
Looking at top speed, the Skoda Karoq is marginally faster – reaching 210 km/h, while the Mazda CX-5 tops out at 195 km/h. The difference is around 15 km/h.
There’s also a difference in torque: the Skoda Karoq delivers clearly more torque with 360 Nm compared to 238 Nm. That’s about 122 Nm more.
Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.
Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.
In terms of curb weight, Skoda Karoq is a bit lighter – 1,380 kg compared to 1,629 kg. The difference is around 249 kg.
Looking at boot space, the Mazda CX-5 offers somewhat more boot space – 583 L compared to 521 L. That’s a difference of about 62 L.
For maximum load capacity, the Mazda CX-5 offers slightly more capacity – up to 2,019 L, about 389 L more than the Skoda Karoq.
When it comes to payload, the Mazda CX-5 carries barely 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 Skoda Karoq is a smart, unfussy compact SUV that blends roomy practicality with a pleasantly composed driving character. It won’t turn heads at a car meet, but it will make daily life easier with clever storage, sensible ergonomics and a reassuringly grown-up ride.
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The Mazda CX-5 blends elegant, athletic styling with a surprisingly engaging driving character, turning routine trips into small, satisfying adventures. Inside it feels thoughtfully built and comfortable, offering sensible practicality and a premium feel that punches above its price.
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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
29,100 - 41,700 £
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Price
30,000 - 39,500 £
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Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 7.6 L/100km
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Consumption L/100km
7 - 7.4 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
128 - 173 g/km
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co2
157 - 168 g/km
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Fuel tank capacity
50 - 55 L
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Fuel tank capacity
56 - 58 L
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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
5
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Doors
5
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Curb weight
1,380 - 1,655 kg
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Curb weight
1,629 - 1,671 kg
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Trunk capacity
521 L
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Trunk capacity
466 - 583 L
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Length
4,390 mm
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Length
4,690 mm
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Width
1,841 mm
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Width
1,860 mm
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Height
1,624 mm
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Height
1,695 mm
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Max trunk capacity
1,630 L
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Max trunk capacity
2,019 L
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Payload
456 - 549 kg
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Payload
601 kg
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Engine and Performance |
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Engine Type
Petrol, Diesel
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Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
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Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
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Transmission
Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
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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
115 - 190 HP
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Power HP
141 HP
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
7 - 11.2 s
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.5 - 10.9 s
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Max Speed
192 - 210 km/h
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Max Speed
195 km/h
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Torque
200 - 360 Nm
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Torque
238 Nm
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Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
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Number of Cylinders
4
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Power kW
85 - 140 kW
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Power kW
104 kW
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Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3
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Engine capacity
2,488 cm3
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General |
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Model Year
2,025
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Model Year
2,025
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CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F
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CO2 Efficiency Class
F
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Brand
Skoda
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Brand
Mazda
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Deutschland
France
Nederland
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Danmark
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Italia
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España