The new 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a rugged compact SUV with an affordable price tag. In fact, it barely costs more than the CX-5. The CX-50 is made for outdoor and off-road adventures, but how does it compare to other off-road-centric SUVs in its class, such as the 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro? Below is a list of three advantages the Sportage X-Pro has over the CX-50 for you to consider if you’re planning to purchase a new SUV for outdoor adventuring.

1. The 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro has a better warranty

Car warranties are an important consideration when purchasing a vehicle. After all, the last thing you want is to find yourself out-of-pocket for major repairs soon after purchasing your car. If you’re choosing between a Kia Sportage X-Pro and the Mazda CX-50, warranty coverage is definitely something you’ll want to consider, as there’s really no comparison between the two. 

Let’s start with the Kia Sportage X-Pro. According to Edmunds, it comes with a five-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which is at the high end of what most consumers can hope for when it comes to a new vehicle.

Car and Driver, on the other hand, gives Mazda a relatively low rating for its warranty coverage. It notes that the limited warranty on the CX-50 only offers coverage for three years or 36,000 miles (although the powertrain warranty extends to five years and 60,000 miles). Car and Driver deems this coverage “just average.” Additionally, the publication notes that Mazda offers no complimentary scheduled maintenance as part of its warranty plan. 

2. There’s no comparison in terms of towing capacity

Since both of these rugged SUVs are aiming for the outdoor adventure crowd, they both need to offer the best when it comes to towing capacity. After all, those campers aren’t going to haul themselves. 

So, do these two midsize SUVs offer comparable power when it comes to towing capacity? The short answer is no. According to Kia, the 2023 Sportage X-Pro can tow up to 2,500 lbs with trailer brakes (or 1,653 lbs without trailer brakes). The base trim Mazda CX-50 can’t compete with those sorts of numbers. Its maximum towing capacity is only 2,000 lbs. So, if you’ll be hauling some heavy loads with your new SUV, this will be something to keep in mind. 

3. The Mazda CX-50 can’t compete when it comes to cargo room

The Mazda CX-50 also lags behind the Kia Sportage X-Pro regarding interior cargo room. The new Mazda SUV offers 31.4 cu. ft. of cargo space with the seat backs upright and 56.3 cu. ft. of space when they are lowered. 

By way of comparison, the Sportage X-Pro comes with 39.6 cu. ft of cargo space with all seats in place and a whopping 74.1 cu. ft. of total capacity. This allows for a lot more room to place your tents, sleeping bags, hunting and fishing gear, and all the other necessary equipment to make your outdoor adventures a success. 

With an MSRP of $36,285, the Kia Sportage X-Pro is somewhat pricier than the base trim Mazda CX-50, which has a starting price of $28,025. However, for that price difference, you get a great deal more in terms of outdoor capability and warranty coverage. In the end, depending on how much you plan to use your new SUV for such adventures, the price you pay could be worth it.