2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish SUV that struck a balance between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover design. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition featured sportier styling with larger air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and standard 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim, creating a luxurious, cockpit-like feel.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a different design approach, offering a smooth and stylish exterior that stood out from the deeply-creased designs of other automakers. The base CX-5 Sport included features like automatic LED headlights and 17-inch wheels, while higher trims added amenities such as leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, and a Bose sound system. The CX-5 Carbon Edition featured unique styling elements like Polymetal Gray paint and red leather seats. The top-tier Signature model offered premium touches like Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim, rivaling luxury brands in terms of fit and finish.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors, and it felt large on tight roads. The Velar's base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was also available. The Velar featured Land Rover's Terrain Response system for off-road capabilities, but its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower. The turbo engine provided a spirited driving experience, especially in Sport mode, but the CX-5's stiff suspension could be uncomfortable. The CX-5's fuel economy was decent, with the non-turbo engine achieving up to 28 mpg combined in FWD models. The turbo engine was slightly less efficient, but still competitive. The CX-5's AWD system provided good traction, but the seats lacked bolstering for spirited driving.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Its avant-garde styling limited interior space, with less headroom and legroom compared to competitors. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's cockpit-like front seating area felt cramped, and visibility was hindered by the tall hood and limited side glass. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models rated at 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered a comfortable and stylish interior, with good headroom but limited legroom for rear passengers. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections for child seats, though they were not the easiest to use. The climate controls were straightforward, but the larger shifter took up passenger space. Cargo space was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. A power liftgate was available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system had high-quality graphics but was slow to respond. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was not user-friendly, and the information presented was not modern. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo was inconvenient, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing for easier control via smartphone. The screen's positioning made it difficult to reach for shorter drivers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options. Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. Additional options included a head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The CX-5 earned high safety ratings, being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and receiving a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Mazda offered a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.