2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda’s fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior featured soft, curvy lines reminiscent of Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a car-like appearance that leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV. This design made it a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior was a mix of high and low-quality materials. While pricier models boasted wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these upscale touches clashed with the low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the expensive versions were upgrades of a commodity car rather than truly premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a different design approach, opting for smooth, sleek lines that made it look dynamic even when stationary. The base model came with features like automatic LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a rear roof spoiler. Higher trims added more luxurious touches such as leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, and advanced LED headlights. The top-tier Signature model featured premium materials like Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim, rivaling offerings from luxury brands. The CX-5’s interior was well-executed with good fit and finish, making it feel more upscale than a typical compact crossover.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous base engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), provided a responsive and fuel-efficient drive. The CR-V’s car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent performance. The FWD models achieved an EPA rating of 30 mpg combined, while AWD models managed 29 mpg, making the CR-V one of the most fuel-efficient in its class.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful option was a 250-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 320 lb-ft of torque. The CX-5’s FWD models with the base engine achieved 28 mpg combined, while AWD models with the turbo engine managed 24 mpg combined. The turbo engine provided a spirited performance, especially in Sport mode, but the CX-5’s stiff suspension and less-than-ideal seat bolstering were noticeable drawbacks. Despite these, the CX-5’s engaging driving style made it a fun vehicle to drive.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The CR-V’s cargo space was impressive, offering 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by Honda’s Odyssey minivan, providing ample storage for small items. The rear’s two-position load floor allowed for maximizing cargo space or creating a flat floor, adding to the CR-V’s practicality.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5, while stylish, fell short in terms of interior space. Headroom was adequate, but legroom for rear passengers was limited, especially with taller front-seat occupants. The CX-5’s cargo space was below average for the segment, offering 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The larger shifter and infotainment controls took up significant passenger space, and the positioning of the controls was not intuitive for shorter drivers. Despite these shortcomings, the CX-5’s straightforward climate controls and overall design made it a comfortable vehicle for families.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age. The base LX trim featured a 5-inch screen with limited functionality, while higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen that still felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration felt tacked on. However, the CR-V did offer plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger, enhancing its tech offerings slightly.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, but its operating system was not user-friendly. The screen’s positioning made it difficult to reach, and the lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites was inconvenient. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing users to bypass some of the system’s shortcomings. The volume could be adjusted via a switch on the steering wheel or a knob in the center console, providing some ease of use.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, which included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, although only the Touring trim’s LED headlights scored well in nighttime visibility tests.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 also boasted a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, making it a highly safe vehicle.