2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, first introduced in 2006, had a commanding presence rooted in its history. It was built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion sedan, ensuring a car-like ride with ample cabin space. The second generation, released in 2015, received a significant styling update in 2019, too late to make a substantial impact in comparison to competitors that regularly refresh their models. This styling update, which carried over to 2020, gave the Edge a sharp look, resembling an enlarged Fusion with its angular headlights and sizable trapezoidal grille.

Inside, the Ford Edge showed its age despite minor updates from 2019. The design elements, such as small, awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls on the center console, remained unchanged. The rotary shifter, a contemporary design cue for Ford, addressed some spatial concerns. The cabin was a mixed bag: while soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish were present, the liberal use of hard plastics, especially around the center console, detracted from the experience.

The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims. The SE boasted plenty of tech and comfort features, like a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moving up to the SEL brought added luxury with LED fog lights, synthetic leather seats, and a premium audio system. The Titanium trim upped the ante with genuine leather, a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a superb 12-speaker B&O audio system. For thrills, the ST trim offered sporty styling and a more powerful engine.

Mazda took a different design route with the 2021 CX-5, opting for smooth, sleek lines that conveyed a sense of elegance even while stationary. This direction provided a refreshing alternative to the overly creased designs of some competitors. The exterior features were consistent across trims, with the base Sport featuring automatic LEDs, 17-inch wheels, and a rear roof spoiler, while the Touring added luxury touches like leatherette seats and a dual-zone climate control.

The Carbon Edition introduced eye-catching styling elements with Polymetal Gray paint and red leather seats. The Grand Touring model built on the Touring with additional luxury touches such as leatherette-trimmed seats and dual heated mirrors. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims enhanced the experience with ventilated seats and Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, respectively. The Signature trim, in particular, pushed the SUV into near-luxury territory, adding wood trim and 19-inch wheels.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, propelled the vehicle with adequate power for city driving, though it struggled a bit at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension, designed with American roads in mind, adeptly absorbed road imperfections while retaining an engaging driving experience.

The Edge ST stood out with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing an impressive 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The performance variant included AWD as standard, offering improved handling and power delivery. The ST's sport mode button and heavy steering enhanced the driving experience, making it feel agile despite its size.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, available with either FWD or AWD. The higher trims, such as the Carbon Edition with the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, upped the power output to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The AWD drivetrain was standard in top trims, including the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature.

Fuel efficiency for the CX-5 varied by drivetrain, with the FWD non-turbo models achieving 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the AWD models with the turbo engine managed 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The CX-5 offered a sporty driving style, characterized by engaging handling and stiff suspension, which could be both a boon for driving enthusiasts and a drawback for everyday comfort.

The Ford Edge excelled in interior layout, offering a commanding view of the road and spacious seating. Both rows provided ample head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge's cargo capacity was impressive, with 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This made it more spacious than several competitors, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano.

In contrast, the Mazda CX-5 had a generally comfortable interior but suffered from limited legroom for rear passengers if the front seats were occupied by taller individuals. The CX-5's LATCH system was functional but not the easiest to use. The interior controls, including the climate system, were straightforward, but the large shifter and awkwardly placed infotainment controls took up valuable passenger space.

Cargo space in the CX-5 fell short compared to the Edge, offering 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats down. This placed it below average in the segment, with competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 offering significantly more space.

The 2020 Ford Edge came well-equipped with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The interface was user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and essential functions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available voice-activated navigation system provided real-time traffic updates, enhancing the driving experience. Dual smart-charging USB ports and a semi-digital instrument panel added to the tech appeal.

In comparison, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, but the operating system fell short. The layout, though uncluttered, lacked modern design elements and proved cumbersome to navigate via the center console knob. The absence of dedicated tuning knobs for the stereo added to the inconvenience. Despite these shortcomings, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration helped mitigate some of the frustrations.

Ford ensured the Edge was packed with safety features, including a full array of airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Co-Pilot360 suite, standard across all trims, included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim added the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, which brought adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The 2020 Edge earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

Mazda similarly equipped the CX-5 with an extensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. Optional features included a HUD, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system. The 2021 CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, underscoring its strong safety credentials.