Volvo and Mazda have both built their modern lineups largely around SUVs, but they got there from very different starting points, and that shows up the moment you compare a Volvo XC60 to a Mazda CX-50. Volvo built its reputation over decades as a safety-first Swedish brand and has carried that identity into a lineup of mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric SUVs. Mazda built a reputation for driver engagement and interiors that feel more upscale than their price point suggests, then applied that same philosophy across a lineup that spans from the compact CX-30 to the three-row CX-90.
Smith Automotive Group sells new Volvo at two dedicated stores, Volvo Cars Savannah in Georgia and Volvo Cars Hilton Head in Bluffton, South Carolina, and new Mazda at Tuscaloosa Mazda in Alabama. If you are cross-shopping the two brands, this page walks through where they overlap, where they differ, and which vehicle characteristics may matter most for your needs.
Volvo's current U.S. lineup includes three gas-powered SUVs: the compact XC40, the midsize XC60, and the three-row XC90. All three offer mild hybrid powertrains, and the XC60 and XC90 are also available as T8 plug-in hybrids that add electric-only driving capability for shorter trips.
Volvo also offers fully electric SUVs, including the EX30, EX40, and EX90, giving shoppers additional options beyond conventional gas-electric hybrids. The V60 Cross Country wagon is another choice for drivers who want a different body style from an SUV.
Volvo no longer offers the S60 or S90 as new vehicles in the U.S. market, although pre-owned examples may still be available. Buyers looking specifically for a new sedan will find an alternative in Mazda's lineup.
Mazda's lineup covers more ground. The CX-30 is the compact entry point, the CX-50 is available with conventional gas engines or as a separate CX-50 Hybrid, and the CX-70 is a two-row SUV offered with a mild hybrid inline-six or a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The three-row CX-90 is available with a turbocharged inline-six mild hybrid powertrain or as a CX-90 PHEV. The CX-5 was fully redesigned for the 2026 model year with a larger body, updated interior, and Google built-in infotainment.
Mazda also offers the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback for buyers who want something smaller than an SUV.
In short, if you specifically want a new sedan, Mazda's Mazda3 is an option between these two brands. If you want an SUV, both manufacturers offer compact, midsize, and three-row choices, giving you several size-for-size comparisons. Volvo additionally offers fully electric SUVs, while Mazda provides a range of conventional gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Volvo's safety reputation is built on a long history of vehicle safety engineering and driver-assistance technology. Its current SUVs offer features such as automatic emergency braking, collision avoidance assistance, adaptive cruise control, and available Pilot Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with steering assistance to help the driver maintain a position within the lane.
Mazda also offers a broad range of driver-assistance features through its i-Activsense safety technology. Depending on the model and trim, these features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance.
Both brands offer extensive safety and driver-assistance equipment, but feature availability and independent crash-test results can vary by model year and trim. Compare the specific vehicles you are considering rather than assuming every safety feature is standard across either brand's entire lineup.
Volvo's gas-powered SUVs use hybrid assistance, starting with the B4, B5, and B6 mild hybrid powertrains offered across applicable models. The XC60 and XC90 also offer the T8 plug-in hybrid system for buyers who want electric-only driving capability alongside a gas engine for longer trips. Volvo's EX30, EX40, and EX90 provide fully electric alternatives.
Mazda spreads its powertrains out more by model. The CX-30 and gas-powered CX-50 offer conventional four-cylinder engines, while the CX-50 Hybrid uses a separate hybrid system with electronic all-wheel drive. The CX-70 and CX-90 offer both turbocharged inline-six mild hybrid powertrains and plug-in hybrid variants.
Combined fuel economy varies by trim and drivetrain, so exact EPA figures are worth checking for the specific configuration you're considering rather than relying on a single headline number. Volvo's compact XC40 and Mazda's compact CX-30 offer comparable fuel-economy figures in certain configurations, while the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid delivers substantially higher combined MPG than Volvo's non-plug-in XC60.
At the plug-in hybrid level, the Volvo XC60 T8 and XC90 T8 and Mazda's CX-70 PHEV and CX-90 PHEV offer electric-only driving capability for shorter trips, with a gas engine available for longer drives. Actual electric range depends on the specific vehicle, battery charge, temperature, driving conditions, and other factors.
| Model | Powertrain Options | All-Wheel Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC40 | B4 mild hybrid, B5 mild hybrid | B4 FWD; B5 AWD |
| Volvo XC60 | B5 mild hybrid, T8 plug-in hybrid | Standard AWD |
| Volvo XC90 | B5/B6 mild hybrid, T8 plug-in hybrid | Standard AWD |
| Volvo EX30 | Fully electric | RWD or AWD, depending on powertrain |
| Volvo EX40 | Fully electric | RWD or AWD, depending on powertrain |
| Volvo EX90 | Fully electric | AWD |
| Mazda CX-30 | Gas, turbo gas | Standard i-Activ AWD |
| Mazda CX-5 | Gas four-cylinder | Standard i-Activ AWD |
| Mazda CX-50 | Gas, turbo gas, separate Hybrid model | Standard i-Activ AWD on gas models; e-AWD on Hybrid |
| Mazda CX-70 | Mild hybrid inline-six, CX-70 PHEV | Standard i-Activ AWD |
| Mazda CX-90 | Mild hybrid inline-six, CX-90 PHEV | Standard i-Activ AWD |
Volvo's cabins lean into Scandinavian design, with clean layouts, minimalist controls, and materials that emphasize comfort over flash. The XC90 offers three rows of seating and a cabin designed for comfortable highway commuting and longer family trips.
Mazda's interiors have earned a reputation for feeling more upscale than their price point suggests, with carefully selected materials and a driver-focused layout that carries over from Mazda's smaller cars into its SUVs.
The redesigned 2026 CX-5 pushes this further with a larger cabin, a standard 12.9-inch touchscreen, an available 15.6-inch touchscreen, and Google built-in, bringing Google Maps and compatible Google services directly into the vehicle.
On the road, the difference in philosophy is reflected in how the two brands tune their vehicles. Volvo places a strong emphasis on a settled, comfortable ride, while Mazda has traditionally prioritized steering response and body control, a characteristic carried over from its smaller cars into SUVs such as the CX-90.
Neither approach is objectively better. The right choice depends on whether you place greater value on a relaxed daily commute or a driving experience that feels more engaging. A back-to-back test drive is useful for comparing ride comfort, steering response, seating position, and cabin noise.
Whichever brand you land on, you can get pre-qualified for financing online before you visit, and if you have a vehicle to put toward your purchase, valuing your trade online first gives you an estimate to work from before visiting the dealership.
Smith Automotive Group operates two separate Volvo stores: Volvo Cars Savannah and Volvo Cars Hilton Head. Shoppers can review inventory at both locations and contact the dealership teams to ask about the availability of a specific trim, color, or vehicle transfer. Current Volvo incentives are also worth checking before finalizing a purchase, since offers and eligibility may vary by model and location.
Tuscaloosa Mazda carries new Mazda vehicles and offers factory-trained service support for routine maintenance and warranty work. Current Mazda incentives change regularly and may affect your final price on a specific model or trim.
A comfortable ride, Scandinavian interior design, and a long-standing emphasis on safety engineering are important to you. Volvo's XC40, XC60, and XC90 offer mild hybrid powertrains, with plug-in hybrid options available on the XC60 and XC90. The fully electric EX30, EX40, and EX90 provide additional choices for drivers who prefer an electric vehicle.
You want a lineup with multiple SUV sizes and powertrain options, a driver-focused cabin, and an engaging driving experience. Mazda's CX-30, redesigned CX-5, CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90 cover a wide range of household needs, while the Mazda3 offers a sedan or hatchback alternative to an SUV.
Buyers who specifically need three rows should compare the Volvo XC90 against the Mazda CX-90 directly, since both offer plug-in hybrid options and similar seating capacity but arrive at that goal through different interior and driving approaches. Test driving both back to back, ideally on the same day, is one way to experience those differences for yourself rather than relying on specification sheets alone.
Volvo no longer offers the S60 or S90 as new vehicles in the United States, although certified pre-owned examples may still be available. If you specifically want a new sedan and are cross-shopping these two brands, Mazda's Mazda3 is an option to consider.
B5 is Volvo's mild hybrid powertrain, which uses electrical assistance to support its gasoline engine without requiring external charging. T8 is a plug-in hybrid system offered on the XC60 and XC90 that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery, giving the vehicle electric-only driving capability for shorter trips.
No. i-Activ AWD is standard on Mazda SUV models such as the CX-30, gas-powered CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90. The CX-50 Hybrid uses a separate electronic all-wheel-drive system, called e-AWD, that operates differently from the conventional systems in Mazda's gas-powered SUVs.
It depends on the specific models and powertrains being compared. The Volvo XC40 and Mazda CX-30 offer comparable fuel economy in certain configurations, while the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid delivers substantially higher combined MPG than Volvo's non-plug-in XC60. Both brands offer plug-in hybrid SUVs, and Volvo also offers fully electric models. Compare the EPA ratings for the specific vehicles you are considering.
Yes. Volvo Cars Savannah and Volvo Cars Hilton Head are both part of Smith Automotive Group and offer Volvo sales and service. Contact the dealership you plan to visit to confirm the availability of the specific model or trim you want to test drive. The teams can also help you inquire about vehicles available at the other location.
The redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5 is larger than the outgoing model and adds updated technology, including Google built-in and a standard 12.9-inch touchscreen with an available 15.6-inch display. Those changes make the CX-5 worth comparing with the Volvo XC60 for buyers interested in interior space, connectivity, and two-row SUV practicality. Pricing, powertrain availability, and equipment differ between the two models.
