Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Passport deploy with different levels of force or don't deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Passport's side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-50's side airbags don't have smart features and will always deploy full force.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda Passport achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mazda CX-50 which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Passport's standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn't offer Hill Descent Control.

The Honda Passport's Multi-View Camera System offers available integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

Both the Passport and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Honda Passport weighs 470 to 964 pounds more than the Mazda CX-50. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda Passport is safer than the CX-50:

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passport's warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Passport has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-50's standard 100-amp alternator isn't as powerful.

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 Passport's reliability 50 points higher than the CX-50.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Passport second among midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The CX-50 isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 6th.

The Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 98 more horsepower (285 vs. 187) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 185) than the CX-50's standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 66 more horsepower (285 vs. 219) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 163) than the CX-50's optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Passport's 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 29 more horsepower (285 vs. 256) than the CX-50's optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda Passport is faster than the Mazda CX-50:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Passport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-50 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Passport has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50 Hybrid's standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passport has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50's standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The Passport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-50 doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Passport higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (4 to 6). This means the Passport produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Passport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

For better stopping power the Passport's brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-50:

The Passport stops shorter than the CX-50:

For better traction, the Passport has larger standard tires than the CX-50 (265/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Passport TrailSport's tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-50 (275/60R18 vs. 245/45R20).

The Passport's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50's standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passport has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50.

The Passport has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle's integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-50 doesn't offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Passport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn't interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn't available on the CX-50; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Passport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Passport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Passport flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passport's wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the CX-50 (113.6 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CX-50.

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Passport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-50 doesn't offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Passport TrailSport is quieter than the CX-50 (78 vs. 80 dB).

The Passport has 18.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-50 (119.1 vs. 100.3).

The Passport has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom, 5.3 inches more rear hip room and 8.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Passport's rear seats recline. The CX-50's rear seats don't recline.

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-50 with its rear seat up (44 vs. 31.4 cubic feet). The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (83.8 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can't be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Passport. The CX-50 doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Passport TrailSport Elite's liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn't offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Passport's standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-50's (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

While the CX-50 Hybrid can only tow 1500, any Passport can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 10th.

The Passport's standard easy entry system glides the driver's seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn't offer an easy entry system.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Passport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-50 doesn't offer rear side window sunshades.

The Passport's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Meridian/Premium/Turbo.

The Honda Passport has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Mazda charges extra for Homelink® on the CX-50.

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda Passport's standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-50 Premium/Turbo.

The Passport TrailSport has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-50 doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda Passport and the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.