Holden Acadia vs Mazda CX-5
What's the difference?

Holden Acadia

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2020 price

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Mazda CX-5

$37,240 - $56,150

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2020 Holden Acadia

2026 Mazda CX-5

By Laura Berry

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V6, 3.6L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

8.9L/100km (combined)

7.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Truck-like looks
Advanced safety tech
Good value

Comfortable, dynamic drive
Practical family interior
Strong safety package

Dislikes

2000kg braked towing capacity
Engine needs to rev hard to make grunt
Wireless charging not standard on LT

No hybrid option
Engine can feel sluggish
No rear charging ports

2020 Holden Acadia Summary

If the Acadia had an accent it would be a southern drawl because this big seven-seat SUV is built in Tennessee, USA, and wears a GMC badge when it’s at home.

In Australia of course it wears a Holden one and comes straight from the factory in right-hand drive. So how does it suit Aussie conditions? Does it even know the importance of a sausage on a piece of bread bought outside a hardware store on a Saturday?

All this and more was learnt when the entry grade LT front-wheel drive came to live with my family.

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2026 Mazda CX-5 Summary

The new-generation Mazda CX-5 is here, promising to be bigger, better and bolder, with fresh styling, sharper handling and more technology. But in a market where hybrid power is becoming increasingly hard to ignore, has Mazda left the CX-5 at a disadvantage? I’ve spent a week with the Evolve grade to find out for you.

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Interested in a Mazda CX-5?

Deep dive comparison

2020 Holden Acadia 2026 Mazda CX-5

Verdict

The Holden Acadia is a proper seven-seater SUV in that it will fit adults in the third row without turning your friends into enemies. It’s also practical and well fitted out with storage places and utilities such as USB ports.

I was particularly impressed with the advanced safety equipment on-board even at this entry LT level. Yes, it’s a V6 petrol and it’s not the most fuel-efficient SUV, but our time with it showed that with cylinder deactivation and the stop-start system it might not be as thirsty as you’d think.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-5 Evolve kicks some goals and with its comfortable on-road handling, robust safety equipment and practical interior, it’s still a solid choice for families looking for a mid-sized SUV. The only thing it’s missing is a hybrid powertrain, which would make this already well-rounded package even more compelling.

Holden Acadia vs Mazda CX-5 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Holden Acadia vs Mazda CX-5
What's the difference?