2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Audi Q3 stood out in a time where car design was transitioning into what some might call "postmodern automotive styling." The vehicle boasted a massive corporate grille that suited its robust and chunky exterior design. This masculine aesthetic projected a sense of utility and dynamic handling, although it primarily delivered on driver engagement rather than practical utility.

The interior of the Q3 echoed its modern and mechanical ethos. The dashboard was meticulously designed to frame the center touchscreen, making it a focal point within the cabin. This innovative interior debuted in the 2019 redesign, giving the Q3 a remarkable edge at that time. However, the 2021 model faced competition from Volkswagen's updated, albeit less luxurious, interior designs. Despite this, the Q3's cabin held onto its modern and refined feel.

The Q3 came in two trims: Premium and Premium Plus. The Premium trim featured leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Additional amenities included a power liftgate, four USB ports, and numerous driver assistance features. The convenience package offered more driver aids and comfort features.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The base version produced 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, which were sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The S-Line trim offered a more potent version of the same engine, producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

This more powerful engine transformed the Q3 into a lively and responsive vehicle. It had sufficient power for speedy take-offs and effortless passing maneuvers. Engaging the "S" or Sport mode enhanced throttle response and adjusted transmission mapping for quicker acceleration. Audi’s Drive Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road.

However, the base engine did exhibit some turbo lag, making hard acceleration and swift highway maneuvers slightly less fluid compared to the S-Line engine. Despite this, the Q3 managed to blend nimble handling with a comfortable ride, marking a balance that was hard to achieve.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit that produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capabilities and sport mode rounded out the powertrain. Front-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was an option.

The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available on higher trims like the Carbon Edition and standard on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models, delivered 250 hp and a robust 320 lb-ft of torque. This engine paired well with the CX-5's sporty character, providing plenty of power and an engaging driving experience, especially in Sport mode.

When it came to fuel efficiency, the CX-5 demonstrated varying levels based on its configuration. The most fuel-efficient version, a FWD model with the non-turbo engine, achieved 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. Models with the turbo engine were slightly less efficient but still respectable for their performance capabilities.

The CX-5 offered a spirited driving experience, especially with the turbo engine, and was complemented by precise steering and firm handling. However, the stiff suspension took away some comfort, especially on rough roads.

The Q3’s overall cargo volume fell short of segment leaders, providing only 48 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Although these numbers were subpar for the class, the Q3 compensated with its excellent passenger space. The front seats were well-designed, offering deep cargo pockets and plenty of storage options. The rear seats delivered good headroom and legroom, making road trips comfortable for up to four passengers.

In comparison, the Mazda CX-5’s interior also aimed for a blend of style and practicality. Its seating position and interior ergonomics were standard for its class. The front seats offered decent comfort, but legroom in the rear was somewhat limited, particularly for taller passengers.

The CX-5 provided two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether on the middle seat, although these were not the easiest to use. Mazda’s straightforward climate controls were easy to navigate, adding to the user-friendly experience.

One area where the CX-5 excelled was cargo space. It offered 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While these numbers were average for the segment, they were better than what the Q3 offered. However, the CX-5 still lagged behind segment leaders like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 in terms of total cargo capacity.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a different design route. Mazda's design philosophy had veered away from sharply creased hoods and aggressive grilles, favoring instead a sleek and smooth aesthetic. The CX-5 managed to stay stylish and attractive, even at a standstill.

The base CX-5 Sport trim came with essentials like automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Touring trim added features like rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a six-speaker audio system.

Mazda offered several higher trim levels. The Touring Preferred SV Package included upgrades such as a 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The new Carbon Edition combined many features from the Touring grade with unique exterior paint and stylish interior touches, such as red leather seats.

The Grand Touring trim added even more, including leatherette-trimmed upholstery, 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and a plethora of LED lighting features. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims came with even more upscale features like ventilated seats, heated rear seats, and a premium interior that rivaled luxury brands.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the MMI software. The system was intuitively designed with ergonomic menu navigation and included Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay as standard features. The upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen added navigation capabilities. Additional features like wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system were available.

A noteworthy tech feature was the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which replaced the standard instrument cluster with a customizable digital display. This feature could even display the navigation map across nearly the entire screen, adding a modern flair to the interior.

Mazda equipped every 2021 CX-5 with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the user experience didn't match modern, user-friendly expectations. The system lacked easily accessible knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through options. The volume could be adjusted using a switch on the steering wheel or a knob in the center console, but navigating the system using its center console knob was not intuitive for all drivers.

Mazda did include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, allowing users to bypass some of the infotainment system’s quirks. Even so, relying on smartphone interfaces for a more streamlined experience was not an ideal solution for everyone.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a range of standard and optional safety equipment. Standard features included Audi Pre Sense, Pre Sense Front, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Buyers could also opt for a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and a self-parking assist for parallel and perpendicular parking maneuvers.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 also came well-equipped with standard safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Optional features included a head-up display (HUD), reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.