The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Dodge Hornet is the more compelling fit if you want a performance-oriented gasoline option or a plug-in hybrid; the Mazda CX-5 is the clearer choice if you want a U.S.-market SUV with standard all-wheel drive and a broad, currently priced trim lineup. That is a choice between priorities, not a definitive overall win: the available information does not establish a same-year, same-market comparison of price, fuel economy, space, warranty, or crash-test results.
This comparison uses the 2026 Mazda CX-5, Mazda USA’s current reference, and the 2025 Dodge Hornet, the latest model year established by the official Dodge material available here. The Hornet performance details come from Dodge Puerto Rico, so they describe the manufacturer’s claims for that market; they do not establish U.S. pricing, U.S. trim availability, or all U.S. EPA-label information.
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What matters most in this comparison
The Hornet and CX-5 are not a simple one-engine-versus-one-engine matchup. The 2025 Hornet has a turbocharged gasoline GT and a plug-in-hybrid R/T. The 2025 CX-5 had a naturally aspirated 2.5 S and a turbo option, while the current U.S. CX-5 reference is the 2026 lineup. The right comparison depends on which engine, model year, and trim you are actually considering.
On the evidence available, the Hornet makes its strongest case through output and the R/T’s ability to drive on electricity for a stated distance. The CX-5’s most concrete strengths here are standard AWD in the U.S. lineup, a published range of trim starting prices, and specified IIHS crashworthiness results for the 2025 model. Those are useful differences, but they do not answer every ownership question.
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- Consider the Hornet GT if your priority is a gasoline powertrain with a strong stated output and you can verify a suitable local vehicle and price.
- Consider the Hornet R/T if you can charge regularly and the ability to cover some trips on electricity matters to you.
- Consider the CX-5 if you want to choose among the listed 2026 U.S. trims and value standard AWD; compare the naturally aspirated and turbo versions separately.
- Hold off on declaring a winner until you have matched actual trim equipment, dated local pricing, applicable efficiency labels, safety records, and practical-space needs.
Powertrains: compare the right versions
2025 Dodge Hornet GT: gasoline turbo
Dodge describes the 2025 Hornet GT as using a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing up to 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Puerto Rico performance page says AWD is standard. These are manufacturer claims for the named model year and source market, not a confirmation of U.S. inventory or a substitute for checking the specification of a particular vehicle.
2025 Dodge Hornet R/T: plug-in hybrid
The R/T is a plug-in hybrid, not simply a more powerful version of the GT. Dodge states up to 288 horsepower with PowerShot, 383 lb-ft of torque, and 32 miles of EPA-estimated electric range. Its FAQ also states a total EPA-estimated range of up to 360 miles. Treat these as Dodge’s published claims for the R/T; the available material does not provide an independent test result or enough information to calculate your fuel cost. Dodge describes the system as hybrid eAWD.
The electric range may be useful if your regular trips fit within it and you can charge the vehicle consistently. That is a practical fit assessment, not a promise that the R/T will save money: energy costs, driving conditions, charging frequency, and the vehicle’s operation after its electric range is used all matter. The supplied figures do not establish a comparable U.S. EPA fuel-economy figure for the R/T’s gasoline operation.
2025 Mazda CX-5: naturally aspirated and turbo engines
Mazda lists the 2025 CX-5 2.5 S with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a six-speed automatic, and up to 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Its turbo version is a distinct alternative: Mazda lists up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane premium fuel, or up to 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on regular 87-octane fuel.
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The fuel-grade qualification is important when comparing the turbo CX-5 with the Hornet. Its advertised maximum output is tied to premium gasoline; the regular-fuel figure is lower. Do not compare the CX-5’s premium-fuel maximum with another vehicle’s output as though the fuel condition were immaterial. Likewise, a Hornet GT comparison is not an R/T comparison: the latter adds a plug-in-hybrid system and has different range and charging considerations.
| Version and model year | Powertrain details established here | Published output or range | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hornet GT, 2025 | 2.0-liter turbo, nine-speed automatic, standard AWD per Dodge Puerto Rico | Up to 268 hp; 295 lb-ft | Manufacturer page is for Puerto Rico; it does not establish U.S. price or availability. |
| Hornet R/T, 2025 | Plug-in hybrid; Dodge describes hybrid eAWD | Up to 288 hp with PowerShot; 383 lb-ft; 32 miles EPA-estimated electric range; up to 360 miles total EPA-estimated range | Range and output are Dodge claims for the R/T, not independent test results; do not apply them to the GT. |
| CX-5 2.5 S, 2025 | Naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, six-speed automatic | Up to 187 hp; 186 lb-ft | These are 2025 specifications, not a substitute for checking the 2026 vehicle. |
| CX-5 turbo, 2025 | Turbo engine | Up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane; 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane | Output depends on fuel grade as Mazda states. |
Fuel use, electric driving, and AWD
What the published efficiency figures do—and do not—show
Mazda’s 2025 announcement lists EPA estimates of up to 26 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined for the CX-5 2.5 S. That estimate belongs to the specified base-engine version. It should not be carried over to the turbo CX-5 or assumed to describe the 2026 model without checking the applicable EPA label.
For the Hornet, the available Dodge material gives the R/T’s stated electric and total range, but it does not establish comparable official U.S. EPA-label fuel-economy figures for the GT or the R/T’s gasoline operation. Therefore, these figures cannot support a sound claim that one whole model line is cheaper to fuel. Compare the EPA label for the exact model year and trim, and, for the R/T, consider how often you can charge and how much of your typical driving could be electric.
AWD is not a stand-alone verdict
Mazda says U.S. CX-5 models retain standard i-ACTIV AWD. Dodge Puerto Rico describes standard AWD for the GT and hybrid eAWD for the R/T. This establishes AWD availability in the specified descriptions, but it does not constitute a comparative traction test or show that either system is best for every condition. Your decision should also account for the tires fitted to the exact vehicle, their condition, and the weather and roads you routinely encounter.
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Price and trim: avoid a misleading comparison
2026 Mazda CX-5 U.S. listed starting prices
Mazda USA lists the 2026 CX-5 2.5 S at a starting MSRP of $29,990. The page lists the following starting prices for higher trims:
| 2026 U.S. CX-5 trim | Listed starting MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2.5 S | $29,990 |
| Select | $31,990 |
| Preferred | $34,250 |
| Premium | $36,900 |
| Premium Plus | $38,990 |
These are manufacturer list prices, not dealer transaction quotes or out-the-door totals. Destination, taxes, options, and dealer pricing can affect what you pay. Confirm the live build information and get a dated quote for the exact vehicle before treating any figure as your purchase cost.
Why the 2025 CX-5 launch price is not a current Hornet comparison
Mazda North American Operations announced a $29,050 starting MSRP for the 2025 CX-5 in July 2024. The same announcement records later price-adjustment notices and destination charges, so that launch figure should not be presented as a current 2026 price or as a direct match for a dealer offer.
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A fair way to compare two actual offers
- Match the market and model year. Compare vehicles offered in the same country and for the relevant model year; do not place a Puerto Rico technical description beside a U.S. price and treat them as equivalent evidence.
- Match trim and equipment. Write down the exact engine, drivetrain, included safety features, and options on each vehicle. A base CX-5 and a Hornet R/T are not equivalent powertrain configurations.
- Compare prices on the same basis. Use MSRP against MSRP or dated out-the-door quotes against out-the-door quotes. Include destination, taxes, options, and dealer charges in the latter.
- Compare energy use for your use case. Use the exact EPA label for each trim. For a plug-in hybrid, account for whether charging is available where you park and how your driving pattern affects the balance of electric and gasoline operation.
- Resolve the ownership details that are not established here. Verify warranty terms, cargo and passenger-space measurements, towing limits, and local dealer and parts support from current model-specific sources.
Safety: what the available ratings support
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lists the 2025 Mazda CX-5 as Good in its small-overlap front, updated moderate-overlap front, and updated side crashworthiness evaluations. IIHS notes that some front crash-prevention and headlight results vary by trim or option. The updated moderate-overlap evaluation was based on a 2024 CX-5 test and applies to 2023–25 models.
Equivalent Hornet IIHS or NHTSA crash ratings are not established here. That means this comparison cannot responsibly declare the CX-5 safer overall, nor can it conclude that the Hornet is unsafe. Check the agency records for the exact model year and the driver-assistance equipment on the specific trim you are considering. A rating for one vehicle or one evaluation is not a complete head-to-head safety verdict.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Practical space, warranty, and ownership questions
The available manufacturer and agency details do not provide a sufficiently comparable set of cargo-volume figures, rear-seat measurements, warranty terms, towing limits, or dealer-support information for these vehicles. These are not small details to fill in by assumption: they can determine whether a vehicle fits your family, luggage, equipment, commute, or local-service needs.
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Check fit in the actual vehicle
- Bring the people who will regularly ride in the back, if possible, and check seating comfort and access.
- Bring a stroller, luggage, mobility aid, sports equipment, or other bulky item you expect to carry. Test loading and hatch access rather than relying only on a published cargo number.
- If towing matters, obtain the exact trim’s rated capacity and required equipment from a current official specification. Do not infer towing capacity from engine output.
Check ownership terms before purchase
- Read the warranty booklet applicable to the model year and market, including coverage limits and exclusions.
- For the R/T, confirm charging compatibility and the practical availability of charging where you live and park.
- Ask a local dealer about service availability and parts support for the exact model year and powertrain.
- Verify that the quoted vehicle is actually in stock and that its listed equipment matches the window sticker or build sheet.
Which one is better for you?
Choose the Hornet GT if gasoline power is your priority
The GT is the Hornet version to evaluate if you want the gasoline turbo configuration rather than a plug-in hybrid. Dodge’s stated output is considerably different from the naturally aspirated 2025 CX-5 2.5 S, but a meaningful purchase comparison still depends on price, local availability, applicable fuel economy, equipment, and whether you are comparing the GT with the CX-5 turbo or the base engine.
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Choose the Hornet R/T if you can make use of its plug-in system
The R/T is the only version in this comparison with a stated electric-only range. It is most relevant to a shopper who can charge consistently and expects some routine trips to fit within that range. If charging access is unreliable or you want a direct gasoline-only comparison, its headline electric range alone is not enough to establish that it is the better choice.
Choose the CX-5 if its U.S. lineup and AWD fit your priorities
The CX-5 offers a clear published 2026 U.S. trim-price ladder and standard AWD according to Mazda. If those facts make it a practical candidate, choose the specific trim and engine first, then verify its equipment, EPA label, and dealer quote. The 2025 IIHS results provide useful crashworthiness information for that model year, but they do not settle a comparison against the Hornet.
When neither is an obvious winner
If your decision depends primarily on the lowest ownership cost, maximum cargo room, warranty length, towing, or an overall safety ranking, the information here does not settle it. Obtain current, trim-specific documents and quotes for both candidates before choosing. Until then, the defensible conclusion is conditional: the Hornet stands out for output and a plug-in-hybrid option; the CX-5 stands out for its documented U.S. trim pricing and standard AWD. Which advantage matters more depends on your driving and purchase circumstances.
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