Kia Niro vs Mazda CX-5

What's the difference?

The Kia Niro S Electric is a solid little SUV that has decent space inside and some nice specs, but it's more expensive than its nearest rivals. The EV powertrain can take a little getting used to and I would have liked a smoother ride, but the 460km driving range is good.

For first-time EV owners, this wouldn’t be a bad option if you wanted to dip your toes in the water but it will suit urban dwellers and smaller families, like mine, best. This gets a 7.5/10 from me.

My son wasn’t in love with this one. Not enough buttons for him to press and he did comment on how bumpy the ride was in the back. He gives it a 6.0/10.

In many important and mostly pleasing ways, the third-generation CX-5 takes a confident step forward.

Bigger in the places that matter, smoother yet just as fun to drive and arguably better looking, it remains a high-quality, affordable and safe mid-sized SUV. The second-from-bottom Evolve AWD seems to be the value sweet spot.

However, the switch to a largely buttonless touchscreen interface is disappointing, as are higher entry prices, fewer model grades and no drops in fuel consumption.

Ultimately, though, the latest CX-5 reveals only half the picture, with the next and increasingly more relevant piece, the long-awaited hybrid, still up to 18 months away.

Maybe that’s the innovation that Mazda’s golden goose deserves most.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.