2021 Honda HR-V vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

Mazda executed the concept of premium better than its competitors with the 2020 CX-5. The model year saw 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 received an increase in torque output, and AWD versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature. Prices ranged from $25,190 to $37,155, with the test vehicle in Signature trim costing $38,680, including destination charges. The CX-5's "Kodo" styling themes made it look appealing, distinctive, and upscale, a feat many automakers struggled to achieve.

The interior of the CX-5, especially in Signature trim, featured 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, reducing the level of contrast that often makes a vehicle seem premium. Despite this, the CX-5's interior reflected style and good taste, from the classy-looking gauges to the elegant metallic accents around the cabin.

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs. It featured distinctive details like upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights in a triangular point housing the rear door handles. Most trim levels came with 17-inch alloy wheels, with a machined finish on the HR-V EX and EX-L, while Sport models had matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. Fog lights were standard on all but the base LX trim level.

The HR-V's interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. EX and EX-L models included push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with EX-L models also getting leather upholstery. While the HR-V would never be mistaken for a luxury car, it still looked and felt solid.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 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, generating 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. However, 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 averaged 22.1 mpg on the testing loop.

The CX-5 Signature was engaging to drive, thanks to its standard G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology, which used the brakes to stabilize the SUV when approaching, rounding, and exiting corners. Despite this, the CX-5's excessive body motions when hustling down a favorite back road were a drawback. The SUV's high center of gravity caused rocking and rolling through curves, making an adaptive-damping suspension a potential improvement. Nevertheless, the CX-5's steering and brakes were up to the task of providing an enjoyable driving experience in typical driving situations.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters on higher trim levels. AWD was available on all trim levels, with FWD standard. The HR-V's powertrain remained unchanged from previous models, resulting in underwhelming highway performance and an ineffective CVT. Competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek offered more powerful engine options.

Despite its underpowered engine, the HR-V's chassis made up for it, providing a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads and decent ride quality. The HR-V's small SUV design, essentially a lifted, enlarged subcompact hatchback, contributed to its fun driving dynamics. However, the HR-V's AWD system was not designed for rough terrain, and its ground clearance and towing capabilities were limited.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's interior was more cramped than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, making it less competitive in terms of practicality and utility. However, Mazda focused on the CX-5's upscale cabin and generous standard equipment to de-emphasize this drawback. The CX-5's interior reflected style and good taste, with classy-looking gauges and elegant metallic accents. Touring trim added dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear air conditioning vents. Grand Touring trim included a power height-adjustable front passenger seat, while 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 CX-5 Signature's front seats were comfortable, though rear passengers might find legroom lacking. Cargo space behind the rear seat measured 30.9 cubic feet, with a maximum cargo volume of 59.6 cubic feet when the back seat was folded down. Grand Touring trim and higher included a power liftgate with a programmable height limit.

The 2021 Honda HR-V boasted impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. Folding the seat down provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), while leaving it up retained 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD). These figures surpassed competitors like the Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Kona, and Subaru Crosstrek, though the Kia Seltos and upcoming 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more cargo space.

The HR-V excelled in rear-seat legroom, leading the segment in that category, while front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The HR-V's interior lacked clever storage solutions, but its sensibly-designed controls, including large climate control knobs and an audio volume knob, made it user-friendly. The narrow center console featured a large shift lever, which, while not freeing up additional cupholder space, was simple and easy to use. A standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made finding the perfect driving position easier.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system, which aimed to emulate the tech setups of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The system included a 7-inch touchscreen display in Sport trim, which responded to touch only when the vehicle was stationary. Standard features included Bluetooth, HD Radio, text messaging support, integrated internet radio apps, and E911 emergency notification. Touring trim added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Grand Touring trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system. Signature trim further enhanced the technology with a navigation system, a surround-view camera system, and a SiriusXM data subscription.

Interacting with Mazda Connect could be frustrating, requiring acclimation. The system could be controlled via the touchscreen (when stationary), center console controls, steering wheel controls, or voice-recognition technology. However, none of these methods were ideal. To reduce frustration, it was recommended to set up the system according to personal preferences and maximize the use of steering controls.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim included standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Sport trim level added a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. EX and EX-L models included SiriusXM satellite radio. The HR-V's infotainment system was plain but functional, with no issues navigating it. Two available USB ports were conveniently located in a cubbyhole ahead of the shifter.

However, the optional 7-inch touchscreen was relatively small, and many competitors offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features across all trim levels. Honda lost points for requiring an upgrade from the base LX trim to access these features.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with all advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) standard on most models. The i-Activsense package 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. Standard safety features also included LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, with adaptive headlights available on Grand Touring trim. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in nearly all individual testing parameters.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" headlight ratings (depending on trim level) and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing.

Honda Sensing safety features were available only on the EX and EX-L trim levels, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and Honda's LaneWatch. The rearview camera was upgraded with dynamic gridlines on higher trim levels.