2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 stood out among its competitors by embracing a smooth and flowing design, departing from the more aggressive and chiseled looks favored by many automakers. This SUV offered an aesthetic that seemed effortlessly aerodynamic, even at a standstill. Its styling was not overly flashy but rather refined, taking Mazda's design language in a sophisticated direction.

Across its trims, the external differences were subtle. The base Sport model featured automatic LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing wipers. Moving up to the Touring trim added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, additional USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and adaptive LED headlights, which were particularly beneficial for nighttime driving on winding roads.

The Touring Preferred SV Package, new for 2021, elevated the Touring model by adding a premium 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and power-adjustable seats with lumbar support and memory positioning.

The Carbon Edition was a standout with its distinctive Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black wheels, along with red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim. The Grand Touring added dual heated mirrors, leatherette upholstery, 19-inch brilliant silver wheels, LED taillights, fog lights, and daytime running lights.

The penultimate Grand Touring Reserve included ventilated seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and automatic folding mirrors with a windshield wiper de-icer. The top-tier Signature trim, our test model, boasted premium features like Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, and 19-inch silver wheels, rivaling luxury offerings from brands like Buick, Infiniti, and Acura.

On the other hand, the 2021 BMW X5 proudly showcased BMW's signature styling with a blend of familiarity and luxury. Its iconic kidney grille and distinguished body shape left no doubt that it was a BMW. Full adaptive LED headlights and a range of wheel sizes from 19 to 22 inches were standard inclusions. The xLine model featured satin aluminum finishes, while the M Sport model added body-colored trims and high-gloss black roof rails for a sportier look.

Inside, the X5's interior was unmistakably BMW, with an abundance of leather and soft-touch materials. The M Sport models added aggressive styling elements like an M sports steering wheel, M-specific pedals, and exclusive interior trim. While some complained about the abundance of black plastic that easily collected dust, the overall quality of the materials remained high.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options, both delivering reliable performance. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the CX-5 Sport produced 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD models achieving 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. AWD models had slightly lower figures.

The Carbon Edition offered an optional 250-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivered a robust 320 lb-ft of torque. This engine, shared by the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims, came with standard AWD. Fuel economy for the turbocharged models was approximately 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Despite offering spirited performance in Sport mode, the CX-5's stiff suspension sometimes detracted from the overall comfort, especially on rough roads.

Conversely, the BMW X5 came with several powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The mighty X5 M took it further with 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package.

The new addition for 2021 was the X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid, combining a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery to provide 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. It offered up to 30 miles of all-electric range and an overall fuel efficiency of 50 MPGe. Although powerful, the X5's handling at high speeds wasn't as precise as other BMW models, sometimes exhibiting steering that felt disconnected.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was designed with family utility in mind. The seating position in both rows was comfortable, although rear legroom suffered if taller passengers were seated in the front. It featured two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a center seat tether. Climate controls were straightforward and user-friendly, while the shifter and infotainment controls, although functional, were positioned less conveniently for shorter drivers.

Cargo space in the CX-5 was a bit limited compared to its competitors. It offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. These figures lagged behind other models like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, both of which provided more storage space.

In comparison, the BMW X5 made effective use of its space. Its center console housed well-placed cupholders and controls, although some drivers found the layout complex. The wireless charging pad was discreetly positioned, keeping devices out of sight. Seating was spacious and comfortable, though the front seats could become firm on longer trips.

The X5's second-row seats comfortably accommodated adults, and an optional third row was available. Cargo capacity was generous, with a split liftgate making loading easier. The X5 xDrive45e's cargo space was slightly less than that of the traditional model, but the difference was minimal for most users.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 featured a standard 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen's size was appreciated, the infotainment operating system wasn't user-friendly. It lacked modern design elements, and the center console knob for controlling it was inconveniently positioned for some drivers. However, the standard inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mitigated some of these issues.

For the BMW X5, technology was a strong suit. It came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Although CarPlay could be overly eager to take control, this was a minor drawback in an otherwise well-equipped system. Standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker audio system, navigation, Bluetooth, five USB ports, automatic climate control, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, and premium audio systems, genuinely enhancing the driving experience.

Safety was a priority for both vehicles. The Mazda CX-5 came equipped with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and a rearview camera. Additional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.

Similarly, the BMW X5 was loaded with safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. While some elements of BMW's Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues, the X5 still received high ratings from safety organizations, with the IIHS awarding it nearly all Good ratings and NHTSA giving it a four-star overall rating.