Does the calculator open with Model Y and CX-5 already selected?

Yes. Use Open prefilled calculator — the home page loads both vehicles and your default region. Change anything before running TCO.

Is this a fair comparison given different price points?

Both are mid-size SUVs buyers cross-shop. The tool shows total cash cost, not value-for-money in terms of features or luxury.

What about Tesla maintenance costs in Australia?

Default maintenance is a flat annual estimate. Override it in advanced fields if you have quotes from Tesla service centres.

Does CX-5 have a hybrid option?

Mazda does not offer a CX-5 hybrid in Australia as of my data. If it becomes available, I'll add it to the vehicle list.

Can I adjust for solar charging?

Yes — lower the electricity c/kWh in advanced fields to reflect your effective solar export or self-consumption rate.

Is this financial advice?

No. CarCostIQ is an educational comparison tool. Confirm taxes, incentives, and finance with qualified professionals.

Tesla Model Y RWD vs Mazda CX-5 Maxx — 5-Year Cost Comparison (Australia)

This comparison pits two popular SUVs against each other: the Tesla Model Y RWD (electric) and the Mazda CX-5 Maxx (petrol). Both sit in the mid-size SUV segment and attract family buyers, but they differ substantially in purchase price, energy cost, and how resale values may play out over five years.

Ideal for family or lifestyle buyers choosing between an established petrol SUV and a top-selling EV — especially if boot space, daily commute range, and long-term fuel savings are all on your checklist.

At a glance

Tesla Model Y RWD

MSRP: $58,900
Efficiency: 15.4 kWh/100 km
Class: SUV

Petrol

Mazda CX-5 Maxx

MSRP: $37,240
Efficiency: 6.9 L/100 km
Class: SUV

Purchase price gap: $21,660 higher for EV

Y RWD

$58,900

CX-5 Maxx

$37,240

MSRP only — run the calculator to see the full TCO picture including energy, insurance, and resale.

Quick trade-off summary

No fixed winner here — outcomes depend on your km, tariffs, and any assumptions you change. Typical tensions:

The Model Y carries a significantly higher MSRP; over five years, lower energy cost per km needs enough annual km to close the gap.
The CX-5 benefits from a well-understood resale market; EV SUV residuals are improving but less predictable.
Insurance and servicing differ — Tesla parts and repair networks can cost more, while Mazda has wider independent mechanic availability.

Who this comparison is for

Family buyer: Needs space, predictable costs, and at least 400 km real-world range for weekend trips.
Commuter: 15–25k km/year; energy savings compound quickly at this distance.
Regional driver: CX-5 has more refuelling flexibility; Model Y depends on charging infrastructure along your route.
First-time EV buyer: Use the calculator to stress-test whether the price premium pays back in your scenario.

Key assumptions behind the comparison

Region defaults: any Australian state or territory — switch in the calculator to match yours.
Five-year TCO horizon with annual flat insurance and maintenance.
Model Y RWD at ~15.4 kWh/100 km; CX-5 Maxx at ~6.9 L/100 km from Green Vehicle Guide data.
Residual value is a simplified fraction of MSRP — SUV resale can outperform or underperform this.
Charging mix defaults to 100% home; adjust if you rely on public or workplace charging.

When the EV is more likely to come out ahead

High annual km (18k+) where electricity cost per km accumulates a significant advantage.
Electricity tariff stays below ~35 c/kWh (home charging off-peak or solar).
You hold the vehicle for the full five years, allowing running-cost savings to compound.

When the petrol / hybrid side may still win on cash cost

Low annual km (<10k) where the MSRP gap dominates and fuel spend is modest.
Petrol prices stay low in your region and you don't see them rising materially over the period.
You value a lower entry price and the CX-5's established dealer/parts network.

Cost drivers to watch

Annual km — the single biggest lever for energy cost difference.
Electricity tariff and charging mix — home off-peak vs public DC changes the picture.
Petrol c/L — directly scales CX-5 running cost.
MSRP gap (~$21.7k in reference data) — needs enough running-cost savings to offset.
Residual value assumptions — affects the net cost at period end.

Frequently asked questions

Does the calculator open with Model Y and CX-5 already selected?: Yes. Use Open prefilled calculator — the home page loads both vehicles and your default region. Change anything before running TCO.
Is this a fair comparison given different price points?: Both are mid-size SUVs buyers cross-shop. The tool shows total cash cost, not value-for-money in terms of features or luxury.
What about Tesla maintenance costs in Australia?: Default maintenance is a flat annual estimate. Override it in advanced fields if you have quotes from Tesla service centres.
Does CX-5 have a hybrid option?: Mazda does not offer a CX-5 hybrid in Australia as of my data. If it becomes available, I'll add it to the vehicle list.
Can I adjust for solar charging?: Yes — lower the electricity c/kWh in advanced fields to reflect your effective solar export or self-consumption rate.
Is this financial advice?: No. CarCostIQ is an educational comparison tool. Confirm taxes, incentives, and finance with qualified professionals.

Run this comparison live

The link loads both vehicles and NSW on the home calculator. A short banner appears above the form so you can confirm the right models are there before changing km, tariffs, or charging mix. The same setup carries through to the result page and any share link you copy.

What you should see next

1. A banner above the calculator confirming the selected pair and region.
2. The same vehicles carried into the result page before you copy or share the link.

Open prefilled calculator View 5-year result now Read methodology

Based on current reference pricing and published methodology. Data last reviewed: 2026-05-27. Estimates only — not financial advice.