2026 Kia Sportage vs 2026 Mazda CX-5:
Safety comparison — crash avoidance & crash test ratings

Side-by-side comparison of standard crash-avoidance technologies and NHTSA/IIHS crash test ratings. Driver assistance and convenience features are covered in the full comparison.

2026 Kia Sportage
97
MotiveGrid Safety Score
vs
2026 Mazda CX-5
100
MotiveGrid Safety Score
1 advantages for Kia Sportage0 advantages for Mazda CX-55 tied featuresFull comparison

Quick take

The Mazda CX-5 holds a modest edge in overall safety (100 vs 97), reflecting slightly stronger crash-avoidance equipment or crash-test performance. Both vehicles are evenly matched on the 4 core crash-avoidance technologies. The Kia Sportage achieves a higher IIHS designation (Top Safety Pick+ vs Not awarded). Overall, the Kia Sportage has the stronger safety package, leading on 1 of 6 measured features versus 0 for the Mazda CX-5 (5 tied). Check the full comparison for cost of ownership, powertrain, and livability scores — safety is one of five pillars in the MotiveGrid Score.

Crash avoidance(0–0–4)

(Wins–Losses–Ties for Kia Sportage vs Mazda CX-5)

Crash avoidance comparison: 2026 Kia Sportage versus 2026 Mazda CX-5
FeatureKia SportageMazda CX-5
Automatic emergency braking
Detects imminent forward collision and applies brakes autonomously to reduce or avoid impact.
 Yes Yes
Forward collision warning
Alerts driver to an impending forward collision with visual and/or audible warnings.
 Yes Yes
Blind spot monitoring
Warns when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot zone, typically with mirror indicators.
 Yes Yes
Rear cross-traffic alert
Alerts to approaching cross-traffic when reversing out of a parking space or driveway.
 Yes Yes

Crash test ratings(1–0–1)

(Wins–Losses–Ties for Kia Sportage vs Mazda CX-5)

Crash test ratings comparison: 2026 Kia Sportage versus 2026 Mazda CX-5
FeatureKia SportageMazda CX-5
NHTSA overall
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration overall star rating (1–5). Crash test scores for frontal, side, and rollover.
5 ★—
IIHS overall
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety top award — Top Safety Pick+ is the highest designation.
Top Safety Pick+▲Not awarded—

Data reflects standard equipment at the base MSRP. Optional packages like Ford BlueCruise, GM Super Cruise, and Tesla FSD are not scored (Tesla FSD is the lone curated exception). Crash test data from NHTSA and IIHS. ADAS data verified against manufacturer spec pages.

← Full 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2026 Mazda CX-5 comparisonSafety scoring methodology →

See the full Kia Sportage vs Mazda CX-5 comparison — all five pillars including cost of ownership, powertrain, driver assistance, and livability:

← Full comparison (all 5 pillars)Safety scoring methodology →Car safety ratings explained →MotiveGrid rankings →