2025 MG HS Essence vs Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport FWD comparison: Spec battle
MG is aiming high with its fresh model lineup, and the new HS SUV heads the charge. Here's how it compares to the venerable Mazda CX-5.
Do you have $40,000 to spend on a new mid-sized family SUV? There’s a fair chance you’re considering either one or both of the MG HS and Mazda CX-5.
Why? Well the second-generation HS was launched just a few months ago, receiving a positive reception from critics, while the CX-5 has been among the top-selling medium SUVs for several years.
Indeed, the CX-5 outsold its Chinese rival by a ratio of 4:1 last month, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the better car.
A budget of just over $40k limits buyers to a basic CX-5 Maxx Sport, whereas the same money can score a flagship MG HS Essence.
So, which is the better buy? Here’s how the pair stack up on the spec sheet.
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
Pricing
MG wins on price, undercutting the CX-5 across the range. Even in flagship Essence guise, the HS is $1230 cheaper than the CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport – a variant at the lower end of the CX-5 lineup.
Model Victorian drive-away price 2025 MG HS Essence $40,990 2025 Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport FWD $42,220
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
Drivetrains and Efficiency
Mazda offers a variety of powertrains with the popular CX-5, but turbocharged models are out of reach at this price point. As such, we’ll be comparing the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder to MG’s 1.5-litre turbo.
The turbo four found in all MG HS variants falls 15kW short of the naturally aspirated CX-5 engine, but it boasts more low-end torque and comes with an extra ratio. Both cars are front-wheel drive.
There’s little to split the pair from an efficiency standpoint either, although the MG requires dearer 95 octane premium unleaded fuel.
While neither the HS nor CX-5 can be called a workhorse, the Mazda offers superior towing capacity for weekend hauling.
Specifications MG HS Essence Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport FWD Engine 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol 2.5L 4cyl petrol Power 125kW 140kW Torque 275Nm 252Nm Transmission 7-speed DCT 6-speed automatic Drive type FWD FWD Weight 1599kg (tare) 1573kg (tare) Fuel economy (claimed) 6.9L/100km 7.2L/100km Fuel tank capacity 55L 56L Fuel requirement 95 octane premium unleaded 91 octane unleaded CO2 emissions 156g/km 167g/km Emissions standard Euro 5 Euro 5 Braked tow capacity 1500kg 1800kg
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
Dimensions
The HS is 80mm longer and 45mm wider than the CX-5, with a 35mm longer wheelbase. That gives it a larger footprint on the road, even despite it being 20mm shorter than the Mazda.
While that’s unlikely to make or break the ownership experience, it does translate to a considerable difference in cargo capacity.
The new HS has 69L more boot space than its rival, which expands to 144L of extra room with the second row of seats folded down.
Dimensions MG HS Essence Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport Length 4655mm 4575mm Width 1890mm 1845mm Height 1655mm 1675mm Wheelbase 2765mm 2700mm Cargo capacity 507L/1484L 438L/1340L
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
Servicing and Warranty
As with all new MG models, the HS is covered by an “industry-leading” 10-year, 250,000-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is also offered for the duration of the warranty and is activated each time the vehicle is serviced within the MG network.
On the other hand, the Mazda CX-5 is backed by a shorter five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km.
MG’s decade of capped-price servicing promises owners certainty and long-term peace of mind, although there’s not much to separate the cost of servicing both models.
Servicing and Warranty MG HS Mazda CX-5 G25 Warranty 10 years, 250,000km 5 years, unlimited kilometres Roadside assistance 10 years (service activated) 5 years Service intervals 12 months or 15,000km 12 months or 15,000km Capped-price servicing 10 years or 150,000km Up to 7 years Total capped-price service cost $5741 $2576 – 5 years
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
Safety
The new MG HS wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in August this year, whereas the Mazda CX-5 is unrated, as its five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2017 has now lapsed.
The standard safety features in each car are outlined below:
MG HS Essence Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 7 airbags
Adaptive cruise control
Intelligent cruise assist
Traffic jam assist
Active Emergency Braking (AEB)
Blind-spot monitoring
Driver attention monitoring
Lane change assist
Lane keep assist
Lane departure warning system
Front and rear collision warning
Front and rear cross traffic alert
Rear parking sensors
Reversing camera
Tyre pressure monitoring
Front parking sensors
Surround-view camera with transparent chassis6 airbags
Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
Pedestrian detection
Rear AEB
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane departure warning
Lane keep assist
Driver attention alert
Reverse camera
Rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring
Traffic sign recognition
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
Standard Equipment
The HS Essence is not only newer than the CX-5 Maxx Sport, but it also occupies a higher position in the respective model ranges. That quickly becomes evident when you compare the pair on standard equipment.
Technology
For one, the MG wins on the technology front, with larger 12.3-inch interior screens, a wireless phone charger, and a beefier eight-speaker sound system.
While the Mazda still ticks most of the essential boxes for a family SUV buyer, it’s carrying older tech that’s due for a refresh when the next-generation CX-5 launches between 2025 and 2027. For example, the digital instrument cluster measures just 7.0 inches, and the sound system is limited to six speakers.
Having said that, the CX-5 is alone in offering wireless smartphone mirroring and a head-up display. Both cars come standard with satellite navigation and DAB+ radio.
Comfort and convenience
The HS Essence may be the cheaper car, but you’d struggle to tell from comparing the spec sheets.
Unique features to the MG include powered front seats with heating, a power tailgate, PVC upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof, and the HS matches its Mazda rival in other key areas.
However, Mazda’s recent premium push gives the CX-5 an edge in quality of materials. The steering wheel and gear shifter in the Maxx Sport are trimmed in real-deal leather – an upgrade over the synthetic trims found in the MG.
You also get reclining rear seats in the CX-5, a handy feature in vehicle that’s likely to be bought by families who regularly rely on the second row.
View a full breakdown of standard features for the MG HS and Mazda CX-5 here
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
CarExpert’s Pick: MG HS
Josh Nevett: If this was a comparison between the first-generation MG HS and current CX-5, the Mazda would win hands down. But MG has stepped things up over the last 12 months, and in many ways the new HS is a triumph for the Chinese manufacturer.
Not only does the flagship HS Essence stack up on the spec sheet, but the new 1.5-litre drivetrain is extremely effective despite its small displacement.
The engine is sufficiently responsive around town, and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is smooth and quick-shifting in the vein of a Volkswagen unit, without the associated low-speed jerkiness.
On the other hand, the naturally aspirated engine under the bonnet of the CX-5 has to work much harder, consuming more fuel in the process.
The CX-5 also concedes ground in other key categories including technology, cabin space, and aftersales support. After all, MG offers the best warranty in the business right now.
So, it’s a clear win to MG? Yes, with a significant caveat. The advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) in the HS are unbelievably poorly calibrated, an increasingly common issue that ruins the driving experience of otherwise well-sorted vehicles.
Until MG addresses the problem, it’s up to owners to adjust ADAS settings to their liking every time the car is switched on – a frustrating inconvenience.
Interested in buying a MG HS or Mazda CX-5? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links
MORE: Everything MG HS • Mazda CX-5
