Bronco Sport vs CX-50
For compact suv shoppers, the Bronco Sport from Ford and the CX-50 from Mazda are two of the obvious candidates. It’s a tight one. Few of the gaps between these two are big enough to change how the car fits into your day.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Bronco Sport | CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 110.8 in |
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
Call the engine & performance round a draw. If engine & performance was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the space & practicality section. The takeaway: space & practicality is not where these two differ.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
If off-road & towing matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. So off-road & towing is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Safety & Tech
Nothing to tally in the safety & tech section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the Bronco Sport and the CX-50 each use.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Bronco Sport | CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.5L turbo I3 | 2.5L I4 |
| Total system output | 180 hp | 187 hp |
| Torque | N/A (not specified) | 186 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | 4x4 | AWD |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Bronco Sport | CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Bronco Sport | CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Bronco Sport | CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Bronco Sport | CX-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 110.8 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Bronco Sport or the CX-50?
Neither wins outright. Choose the Bronco Sport if the things a spec sheet can’t capture matters most, or the CX-50 if the things a spec sheet can’t capture does.
Executive Summary
Ford or Mazda? For a lot of people, the question really comes down to the Bronco Sport versus the CX-50.
For the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the Bronco Sport fits better. For the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the CX-50 is the better match.
My pick: it genuinely depends, with the Bronco Sport ahead on the things a spec sheet can’t capture and the CX-50 ahead on the things a spec sheet can’t capture.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.