2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which debuted in 2005, was still in its second generation. The current generation, introduced in 2014, received a significant refresh in 2018 that carried over into 2021. This refresh included a dual-screen center console, a defining feature of Land Rover interiors in recent years. A plug-in hybrid variant was introduced in 2020, along with the availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Range Rover Sport offered various trims, including SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition, each with a range of luxurious features and powerful engines.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, a redesigned grille, and a fresh rear liftgate. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, emphasizing Mazda's premium aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The seats were new for 2022, offering improved comfort. Mazda also revamped the trim levels, introducing the CX-5 2.5 S and CX-5 2.5 Turbo, with the latter featuring a turbocharged engine for those seeking more power.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 powertrain, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains, with the P400e plug-in hybrid generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition had an even more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with impressive off-road capabilities and a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds (except the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds).

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. For 2022, Mazda revised the six-speed automatic transmission for more responsive performance and made all-wheel drive standard. The EPA rated this powertrain at 26 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo, with a turbocharged engine, offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This model also featured the revised six-speed automatic and standard AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. Both 2.5 Turbo trims and the 2.5 S Premium and Premium Plus included Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings. The 2022 CX-5 benefited from increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, resulting in a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride. The improved driving dynamics and reduced noise, vibration, and harshness made the CX-5 a legitimate alternative to entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row of seating increased the seating capacity from five to seven, but with the third row in use, cargo space was limited to 10.8 cubic feet. Both the first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the optional third row was best suited for children.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and handling with new seats that offered better support and a sportier driving position. All CX-5 models, except the 2.5 S base trim, included a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The 2.5 Turbo test vehicle featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout, including the Mazda Connect infotainment system, required acclimation due to the lack of a touchscreen display and natural voice recognition. Storage space was adequate, with a small bin under the center armrest and wireless smartphone charging in a tray forward of the transmission shifter. The CX-5 offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded, which compared favorably to entry-level luxury SUVs but was less impressive against mainstream compact crossovers.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate settings and vehicle functions, while the upper screen housed the infotainment system. Although the system had a learning curve and earlier versions had bugs, the dual dials on the lower screen were versatile, controlling everything from fan speed to off-road settings. The upper touchscreen had reasonably sized icons for easy navigation between menus and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite some usability issues, the system was functional, though not the best on the market.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. Mazda believed touchscreens caused driver distraction, so users had to rely on center console and steering wheel controls. While this approach required acclimation, it was less user-friendly than systems with touchscreens or advanced voice recognition. The CX-5 included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial subscription. Starting with the 2.5 S Premium trim, the CX-5 featured a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Additional available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 included a comprehensive i-Activsense package of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems as standard. This package featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a driver monitoring system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5's head-up display showed blind-spot warnings, enhancing safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2022 Mazda CX-5 a "Top Safety Pick+" rating.