2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

Ford had taken a consistent approach to its SUV lineup, with the 2021 Explorer fitting neatly into the family resemblance shared by the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. The Explorer's exterior was sporty and modern, with various grille options depending on the trim level. It offered six trims, from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats, a clean dashboard, and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. The XLT trim, the most popular, provided better equipment and finishes, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and more advanced features.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, showcased a sleek and smooth design that stood out even when stationary. The base Sport trim included LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, and a rear roof spoiler. The Touring trim added leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry. The Carbon Edition featured unique styling elements and red leather seats. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Reserve trims added more luxury features, while the top-tier Signature trim offered premium materials like Nappa leather and genuine wood trim. The CX-5's interior was well-executed, with high-quality materials and a stylish design.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim boasted 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

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 Carbon Edition and higher trims could be equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The CX-5's fuel economy varied, with the most efficient FWD model achieving 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine provided a more spirited performance, especially in Sport mode, but the CX-5's stiff suspension could be a drawback for some drivers.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer offered 81 cubic feet of cargo space, which was competitive but not exceptional for its class.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5's design allowed it to fulfill most family needs comfortably. It offered good headroom in both rows, but legroom for back seat passengers was limited. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections and a tether connector for child seats. The climate controls were straightforward and easy to use. However, the larger shifter and infotainment system controls took up passenger space and were not the most intuitive. The CX-5 provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was below average for the segment.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim up.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 featured a standard 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was not user-friendly, and the lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites was inconvenient. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing users to bypass some of the system's shortcomings.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features through the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included 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, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.