2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than its predecessor, the Encore, in nearly every dimension. It was 2.7 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and 1.8 inches taller, with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase. Buick put significant effort into revising the exterior styling, featuring a larger grille, revised headlights and taillights, and a completely reworked rear end. This gave the Encore GX a more mature and complete appearance compared to the stubby look of the Encore. Inside, the cabin of the Encore GX, while similar to the smaller Encore at first glance, revealed a high level of care, style, and fit and finish upon closer inspection. It felt more upscale than the Hyundai Kona, though not quite as luxurious as the Mazda CX-30.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, executed the concept of premium with captivating style, compelling substance, and continual product improvement. For 2020, the CX-5 featured more standard equipment, revised instrumentation, and control markings to enhance the cabin's appearance, along with modifications to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. The turbocharged engine saw an increase in torque output, and AWD versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature. The CX-5's interior, especially in Signature trim, boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, giving it a luxurious look and feel. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the otherwise black cabin, lessening the level of contrast.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup. Our test model featured the optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, sent through a CVT to the front wheels. This engine could also be paired with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a nine-speed automatic transmission, though torque dropped to 162 lb-ft with AWD. The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it felt underwhelming on the low end. Despite occasional vibrations, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive steering and a well-weighted suspension that soaked up bumps nicely. The Encore GX handled corners with confidence, though it was never sporty.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode. FWD was standard, with AWD optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel. The turbocharged engine, paired with AWD, provided a healthy amount of power for a compact crossover SUV, allowing the CX-5 Signature to accelerate with authority despite its 3,825-pound curb weight. The turbo engine was less efficient, rated at 24 mpg combined, compared to 26 mpg combined for the naturally aspirated engine with AWD. The CX-5 Signature was engaging to drive, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology, though excessive body motions when hustling it down a back road detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered more space in the rear seats and cargo area compared to the standard Encore. The rear doors were larger, and rear seat legroom and headroom were increased. With the rear seats up, the Encore GX provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was five cubic feet more than the standard Encore and three cubic feet less than the larger Buick Envision. The added rear legroom meant the front seats didn't need to be adjusted to fold the rear seats down. The rear load floor could be lowered by removing small dividers, opening up more space. Up front, the shifter was moved to the left of the center console, creating additional trays and cubby space. The in-door cubbies were deep, and the cup holders were designed for large water bottles.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5, while more upscale, had a more cramped interior compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Every version of the CX-5 featured a stylish and tasteful interior, with classy-looking gauges and elegant metallic accents. The Touring trim added dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear air conditioning vents. The Grand Touring trim included a power height-adjustable front passenger seat, while the Grand Touring Reserve added ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Signature trim featured Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more. The front seats were comfortable, though small, and rear passengers might find legroom lacking. Cargo space behind the rear seat measured 30.9 cubic feet, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A power liftgate with a programmable height limit was standard on Grand Touring trim and higher.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring an intuitive layout, crisp graphics, and responsive performance. The main menu items could be customized, and the system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Options included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. Our test car featured a head-up display (HUD) projected via a small plastic display that deployed from the dash, a cost-cutting measure that felt clunky.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system, which conveyed an upscale impression but could be frustrating to use. The Sport trim had a 7-inch touchscreen display that responded to touch only when the vehicle wasn’t moving. The system included Bluetooth, HD Radio, text messaging support, integrated internet radio apps, and E911 emergency notification. The Touring trim added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Grand Touring trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system. The Signature trim included a navigation system, a surround-view camera system, and a SiriusXM data subscription. Interaction with Mazda Connect was possible via the touchscreen, center console controls, steering wheel controls, or voice-recognition technology, though none of these solutions was ideal. For 2021, Mazda planned to update the system with a wider, more modern display, though operational issues persisted.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. It also included the Teen Driver System, allowing the owner to set speed and volume limitations for a secondary set of keys. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. Our test model featured a surround-view camera system with high-quality cameras and a high-resolution display, providing clear images and helpful angles for parking. The Encore GX also included a standard suite of front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the i-Activsense banner. This included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 also had standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, with adaptive headlights available on Grand Touring trim and higher. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with high marks in nearly all individual testing parameters.