2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport brought a refreshing take on the classic Bronco ethos with its distinctive design. Ford had teased the Bronco revival for years, finally launching the Bronco Sport as the younger sibling to the highly anticipated full-size Bronco. Drawing inspiration from its elder sibling, the Bronco Sport featured a frameless (unibody) construction, tailored more towards daily commuting with a flair for weekend escapades. Its rugged aesthetic echoed the Bronco lineage, yet it blended modernity seamlessly, with a vibe that could comfortably sit next to Land Rover's lineup. The Bronco Sport boasted an impressive front overhang, ensuring optimal approach angles for off-roading. Its rear overhang complemented this feature. With tall fender wells and streamlined body sides, the vehicle catered to trail driving, minimizing unnecessary adornments that might catch on debris or brush. The vehicle's façade, replete with the bold white 'BRONCO' lettering on the grille and tailgate, alongside a more subtle 'SPORT' postscript, ensured it visually tied into the bigger Bronco. Wheels varied across trims, ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks trim. The Badlands and First Edition sported even more rugged wheel and tire combinations, reflecting their off-road prowess. Inside, the Bronco Sport embraced a rugged yet tasteful design. Simplistic yet purposeful, the cabin featured repetitive shapes for the HVAC vents, fostering a sense of unity. The center stack was practical, crowned by an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and dual cupholders added to the vehicle's utilitarian appeal. Depending on the trim, one could find an array of interior finishes, from basic cloth seats to luxurious Navy Pier Leather power seats in the First Edition. Contrastingly, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 embraced a sleek, sophisticated design ethos. Mazda diverged from the aggressive, angular stylings prevalent among competitors, opting instead for a fluid, aerodynamic silhouette. This decision lent the CX-5 an elegant presence, even in stationery. Exterior differences across CX-5 trims were subtle. The base Sport model came with 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Stepping up, the Touring trim added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, additional rear USB ports, and adaptive LED headlights that illuminated on turns—ideal for night driving on winding roads. A standout variant, the Carbon Edition, jazzed up the Touring trim with features from the Touring Preferred SV Package, such as a 10-speaker Bose sound system and leather seats, combined with Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic wheels. Inside, the red leather seats, black honeycomb dashboard, and red-stitched leather-wrapped steering wheel underscored a more sporty, aggressive ambiance. At the top of the line, the CX-5 Signature embellished its Grand Touring Reserve foundations with premium Caturra Brown Nappa leather, genuine wood trims, and advanced features like a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The epitome of refinement, it positioned the CX-5 firmly among more luxurious brands.

Ford set up a media drive for the 2021 Bronco Sport at Holly Oaks ORV Park in Michigan, showcasing its prowess both on rugged terrains and public roads. The Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims housed a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. Badlands and First Edition trims, however, were equipped with a more potent 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, pushing out 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models sported an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, featuring up to seven G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Type of Terrain) modes. Off-road, the Bronco Sport excelled. Its short wheelbase (105.1 inches), four-wheel independent suspension, and generous suspension travel (7.4 inches front, 8.1 inches rear) facilitated smooth navigation over tough terrains. The ground clearance ranged from 7.8 to 8.8 inches, dependent on tire and wheel size. Despite its rugged persona, the Bronco Sport maintained composure on pavement, suited for daily drives. However, the 2.0-liter engine was better suited for the vehicle’s spirited character, as the smaller 1.5-liter felt somewhat strained under pressure. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 provided two robust engine options. The base model and Touring variant featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with AWD available. For those seeking zestier performance, the CX-5 offered a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Carbon Edition, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trims. This powerhouse delivered up to 250 horsepower and an impressive 320 pound-feet of torque, especially with premium fuel, ensuring spirited drives. However, even on regular fuel, the turbo engine retained robust performance. AWD was standard on these turbocharged models. Fuel efficiency was commendable with the naturally aspirated engine, achieving 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined for FWD versions. Switching to AWD slightly decreased these figures to 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The turbocharged variants, albeit less efficient, still provided decent mileage, with AWD models achieving 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The CX-5's engaging driving dynamics shone, particularly in Sport mode, enhancing the turbo engine's responsiveness. However, the sporty drive came with a stiffer suspension, sometimes compromising comfort.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport went beyond merely looking adventure-ready. It catered to the needs of active lifestyles with genuine features. The cargo space, designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, highlighted Ford's attention to detail. Over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories were available to help transport various outdoor gear, from kayaks to skis. The roof could support up to 150 lbs (100 lbs with moonroof), and towing capacity varied between 2,000 lbs for the 1.5-liter engine and 2,200 lbs for the 2.0-liter engine. Within the cargo area, practical touches were evident. The rear glass, albeit small, flipped up for easy access—a nifty feature that had somewhat faded in modern car designs. An optional cargo management package added a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. Inside the cabin, storage was ample, with large door pockets, multiple cubbies, and covered storage for organizing gadgets and tools. However, taller drivers faced visibility challenges due to the roof overhang blocking traffic lights and bulges on the hood obscuring the trail ahead when off-road. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 managed to merge style with functionality, catering to families with its thoughtful design. Seating was comfortable, with ample headroom in both rows. However, rear legroom was compromised with taller front-seat occupants. The CX-5 provided two full LATCH connections for car seats in the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor on the middle seat, making it family-friendly despite some installation difficulties. Climate controls in the CX-5 were intuitive and straightforward, maintaining Mazda's user-friendly approach. However, the traditional larger shifter at the center console occupied considerable passenger space, contrasting with modern compact SUVs that opted for smaller electronic shifters. The placement of the infotainment controls, situated behind the shifter, posed challenges for shorter drivers due to its less intuitive position. Where the CX-5 fell slightly short was in cargo capacity. It offered 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and expanded to 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. These figures lagged behind competitors, such as the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V, which provided more spacious cargo areas. A power liftgate was available, adding convenience.

Ford equipped the Bronco Sport with the latest tech offerings. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, featuring SYNC 3, catered to the tech-savvy crowd with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM compatibility. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot also came standard. Audio options varied, with the base model sporting a six-speaker system, while higher trims offered a premium Bang & Olufsen system. Off-road driving was enhanced by features like a 360-degree camera with split view and a washer. The G.O.A.T. modes added significant value to the terrain management system. Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims offered five drive modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand. Badlands and First Edition models included additional Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes, meticulously adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle responses to the selected setting. Trail control technology further aided off-roading with a cruise-control-like feature, allowing drivers to concentrate on navigating tough trails. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard across all trims except the Base model. Higher trims also received heated, leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a digital instrument panel, enhancing the driving experience. In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 sported a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen across all models. While the screen size was impressive, Mazda’s operating system was somewhat lagging in modern design aesthetics and ease of use. The interface, controlled primarily via a knob in the center console, lacked intuitiveness. The absence of quick access knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites was a drawback, although volume control was conveniently placed on the steering wheel and center console. Nonetheless, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing users to bypass some of the system's limitations and utilize their phone’s functionalities directly. This workaround, while effective, was not ideal in enhancing user experience from the get-go.

Every Bronco Sport model came equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. This robust safety package included critical features such as pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning with dynamic brake support, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. Additionally, the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package was available for all trims except the Base model. Priced at $795, it enhanced the vehicle's safety with adaptive cruise control featuring stop-and-go and lane centering, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, and road-sign recognition. These features represented foundational elements of advanced driver-assist systems, elevating the vehicle’s safety profile. Further, the available tow package included trailer sway control, essential for safe towing. The Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. This included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Buyers could further equip the CX-5 with additional safety features such as a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition. While the latter was occasionally sluggish and prone to missing information, the comprehensive safety suite helped the CX-5 earn top accolades. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, achieving Good scores across all crash tests. NHTSA also granted the CX-5 a five-star safety rating. Mazda's warranty coverage included a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, providing additional peace of mind for buyers.