Two of the most popular family SUVs in Australia, and two very different personalities. If you have shortlisted both, this is the honest breakdown.
The Mazda CX-5
The CX-5's strength is how it feels. The steering is accurate, the body stays flat through corners and it rides with a maturity that makes it feel like a more expensive car. The interior is the other drawcard — even mid-spec models look and feel a class above the price, with real attention paid to materials and switchgear.
The trade-off is space and powertrain choice. The back seat and boot are adequate rather than generous, and the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol is smooth but thirstier than turbocharged and hybrid rivals in traffic.
The Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson goes the other way. It is bigger inside — noticeably so in the rear seat and boot — and it comes with a wider spread of engines, which means you can pick the one that suits your driving rather than take what you are given.
The styling is bold and divisive, which matters for resale in a conservative market. Dynamically it is competent and comfortable rather than engaging, and interior quality, while good, does not have the CX-5's sense of occasion.
Ownership
Hyundai's warranty has traditionally been the longer of the two, which counts for a lot on a family car. Both brands have extensive dealer networks and capped-price servicing, and both have solid reliability records in Australia. Check the service schedule for the exact model you are considering, because intervals and pricing vary between engines.
Which should you buy?
Choose the CX-5 if you enjoy driving, if your family is two adults and one or two smaller kids, and if interior quality is what makes a car feel worth the money to you.
Choose the Tucson if you need maximum room for the money, if you want a specific engine type, or if the longer warranty gives you peace of mind.
Our practical advice: drive them back to back on the same day, with the child seats and the pram. The one that fits your life will make itself obvious in ten minutes.