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The small SUV vehicle segment is the most popular in America. That makes it the most competitive vehicle segment. Automakers have tried to dethrone Toyota for years, but no small SUV can compete with the RAV4 when it comes to sales. What about overall quality and value? Models like the Honda CR-V challenge the RAV4 in rankings. Other nameplates have stepped up in recent years as well. The Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 have recently climbed up in rankings and are considered to be among the top-five best small SUVs. How do the final trims of each small SUV compare? Time for 2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited vs. 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited brings out Hyundai’s best tech

A red 2023 Hyundai Tucson small SUV is parked.
2023 Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai

South Korean automaker Hyundai knows value. Its final trim levels are loaded with advanced and innovative technology. The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited is no exception. It starts at $35,710.

The small SUV comes standard with remote smart parking assist, a blind-spot view monitor, and a surround-view monitor. The Tucson Limited provides the easiest parking experience of all Tucson trims. It also includes standard side mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited features wireless device charging, navigation-based smart cruise control with curve control, and a driver attention warning system. The Tucson Limited comes loaded with driver assistance and safety features that simplify driving and provide ease of use. Car and Driver praises the small SUV’s cabin and styling.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature is the epitome of luxury

A white 2023 Mazda CX-5 small SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 | Mazda

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature starts at $39,650. The CX-5 is known for being more refined than its rivals. Its Turbo Signature final trim is as close as the small SUV gets to a luxury vehicle. Thanks to its upscale interior, the CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature is practically indistinguishable from a small luxury SUV.

The final trim level comes standard with all-wheel drive, Sport and Off-Road modes, and radar cruise control with stop-and-go. It also includes paddle shifters, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Caturra Brown Nappa leather-trimmed seats. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature is both sporty and classy. It comes standard with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 256 horses and 320 lb-ft of torque using 93-octane gas.

2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited vs. 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature

A red 2023 Hyundai Tucson small SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature is the quicker, more powerful small SUV. That being said, it costs $3,940 more than the Tucson Limited. The Hyundai Tucson Limited is more fuel-efficient.

When it comes to the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Limited vs. 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature, it’s value vs. performance. The Tucson Limited is the better small SUV for the money because it’s more affordable and cheaper to refuel over time.

The CX-5 Turbo Signature is more exciting because it’s quicker and more powerful. It’s also more refined. The Tucson Limited is the better choice for the average driver, while the CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature is the better choice for drivers with a taste for the finer things.

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