Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tonale doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the CX-5 and the Tonale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tonale has not been tested, yet.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-5 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the Tonale. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Tonale ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-5’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-5’s reliability 35 points higher than the Tonale.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Tonale doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale (15.3 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tonale; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Tonale (106.2 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Tonale’s (36 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tonale (7.6 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is 2.3 inches higher than on the Tonale (7.9 vs. 5.6 inches).

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

The CX-5 has .9 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear hip room than the Tonale.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Tonale’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Tonale with its rear seat up (30 vs. 22.9 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tonale with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tonale doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Both the CX-5 and the Tonale have standard heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tonale.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Alfa Romeo Tonale by over 73 to one during 2023.