As you begin your search for your next new vehicle, it's certainly easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice available in today's marketplace. When narrowing down the contenders, it's only natural that Volvo has caught your eye. After all, it's hard to find another brand that can match the advanced technology, innovative safety, and incredible versatility offered across the Volvo lineup. To demonstrate the strengths of the brand, our team at Motorcars Volvo Cars has assembled this in-depth brand comparison in which Volvo goes up against one of its top competitors - Mazda. Which one will earn the victory? Let's take a look and find out!
Safety
It's hard to find another brand that's more committed to protecting the lives of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians quite like Volvo. As a matter of fact, Volvo is credited with pioneering many of the safety features now included as standard on virtually all vehicles all across the world. Below, you'll find a list of examples that were developed and made their debut on a Volvo vehicle.
- Three-point safety belt - (1959)
- Rearward-facing child seat (1972)
- Side Impact Protection System (1991)
- Whiplash Protection System (1998)
- The Inflatable Curtain (1998)
- Roll Stability Control (2002)
- Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake (2010)
- Run-off Road Protection (2014)
Following the completion of rigorous testing conducted by experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the results paint a very clear picture. For 2025, Volvo earned a 5-star safety rating for a total of 10 models. The 5-Star Safety Ratings program evaluates how vehicles perform in crash tests. NHTSA performs frontal, side, and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. Mazda simply cannot measure up to Volvo when it comes to safety.
The following Volvo models received 5-Star ratings:
- 2025 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5
- 2025 Volvo XC40 B5
- 2025 Volvo XC60 B5
- 2025 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid
- 2025 Volvo XC90 B5
- 2025 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid
- 2025 Volvo XC90 B6
- 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid
- 2025 Volvo S60 B5
- 2025 Volvo S60 B5
Volvo XC60 VS Mazda CX-50
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Volvo XC60 B5 Core | VS | 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus |
| $48,345 | MSRP | $43,500 |
| 247 ✓ | Horsepower | 227 |
| 23/30/26 ✓ | Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined) | 23/29/25 |
| 185 inches | Length | 185.8 inches |
| 74.9 inches | Width | 75.6 inches |
| 8.5 inches | Ground Clearance | 8.6 inches |
| 103 cubic feet ✓ | Total Passenger Volume | 98.3 cubic feet |
| 8 ✓ | Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Double Wishbone/Multi-Link ✓ | Suspension (Front/Rear) | Strut/Torsion Beam |
| 13.6 inches ✓ | Front Brake Rotor Size | 12.8 inches |
| Dual-Zone Automatic with Humidity Control and CleanZone air purification ✓ | Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic |
| 4 Years / 50,000 miles ✓ | Basic Warranty Coverage | 3 Years / 36,000 miles |
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Here we have an in-depth comparison between the Volvo XC60 and the Mazda CX-50. These are good for illustrating the difference between these two brands, since the pricing is similar, both come with standard all-wheel drive, and the exterior dimensions are almost identical. Both vehicles also have four-cylinder engines, although the XC60 has a 20-horsepower advantage over the Mazda. You'll also find that that power is better utilized in the XC60, thanks to a more sophisticated 8-speed transmission.
You'll also find a more sophisticated suspension setup on the XC60, giving you more control around corners and on hilly, uneven terrain. The interior of the XC60 is more comfortable too, offering more passenger volume and a much more advanced climate control system. This system regulates not just temperature, but also humidity, and can automatically switch to recirculation mode when outside air quality is low. It will even circulate cool air as soon as you unlock it on a hot day. The system on the Mazda offers nowhere near this level of refinement. To top things off, the warranty offered by Volvo is quite a lot better than the one offered by Mazda.
View XC60 Inventory
Car of the Decade Award - Volvo XC90
If you're looking for a vehicle that offers a combination of prestige, seductive styling, and state-of-the-art technology - it's hard to ignore Volvo. The expert team of designers and engineers at Volvo work tirelessly to produce vehicles that are truly a cut above the competition. The end result? Volvo vehicles regularly earn top praise from critics all across the automotive industry.
The Volvo XC90 is one of the best cars of the decade because it's a spectacular luxury SUV that kicked off a long line of fresh new vehicles forever changing the course of the Volvo brand, said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. The XC90 effectively elevates the entire brand to a true luxury position, it's the full embodiment of all that Volvo can do right. The XC90 is a perfect example of how design restraint actually adds to the allure of a given vehicle. Both inside and out, the Volvo XC90 is tasteful and luxurious.
A Leader in Electrification
From instantaneous response to smooth power delivery and incredible savings on fuel - it's getting harder and harder to overlook the extensive list of benefits that come from making the switch to an all-electric vehicle. Ranging from eye-catching sedans and wagons to luxurious SUVs - Volvo continues to set the benchmark for the industry when it comes to the development of EVs. Mazda on the other hand, only offers two plug-in hybrid models in North America.
Across the Volvo lineup, every model is at least a mild hybrid, and there is a wide range of plug-in hybrid and all-electric models for those who want further electrification. Regardless of your driving style, Volvo continues to lead the pack when it comes to electric vehicles.
Current Volvo Hybrids & EVs
- S60 Plug-In Hybrid
- S90 Plug-In Hybrid
- EX40
- XC60 Plug-In Hybrid
- XC90 Plug-In Hybrid
- C40 Recharge
- EX30
- EX90