2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a unique approach in stark contrast to many other automakers. It shied away from aggressively creased hoods, sharply angled taillights, and chiseled grilles. Instead, Mazda leaned into a smoother, sleeker design, making the CX-5 appear almost slippery even when it was stationary. Though not flashy, the CX-5 carried the familiar Mazda design language in a stylish direction. The exterior differences between trim levels were subtle but notable.

The base CX-5 Sport featured automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. As buyers moved up to the Touring variant, they got rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, two rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights that adjusted with the direction of the steering wheel. Additionally, the Touring Preferred SV Package added amenities such as a 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and more power-adjustable seating options.

The CX-5 Carbon Edition made a bold statement with Polymetal Gray paint, 19-inch black metallic wheels, red leather seats, and black honeycomb interior trim. The Grand Touring enhanced the package even further, adding dual heated mirrors, 19-inch silver alloy wheels, and various LED lighting enhancements.

When it came to the CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims, buyers enjoyed features that bordered on premium territory. The Signature trim, in particular, boasted Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, and 19-inch silver wheels, offering a luxurious feel typically found in higher-end brands.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape had an SUV-meets-hatchback design. Its curved front end and sleek roofline made it resemble an enlarged Ford Focus. While it did have the traditional tall ride height of an SUV, its design was less truck-like compared to competitors. For 2021, Ford jazzed up the Escape with new appearance packages like the SE Sport Appearance Package, SEL Stealth AWD Package, and Titanium Elite Package. These packages included 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded upholstery materials among other features.

Inside, the Escape had a less cohesive design. The angular instrument cluster conflicted with the exterior's smoother lines, and the interior materials, even in the top Titanium trim, felt less premium. Notably, the Escape Titanium didn’t come with standard leather upholstery, although it did offer ambient lighting and an enhanced sound system.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), this engine provided satisfactory performance.

For buyers seeking more power, the CX-5 Carbon Edition and higher trims offered a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This turbo engine delivered a robust 250 horsepower and an impressive 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims came standard with AWD, leveraging the turbo engine's potential.

Fuel efficiency was competitive. The CX-5 with FWD and the non-turbo engine achieved an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The turbo engine variants had slightly reduced fuel efficiency but still fared well, with the AWD turbo-four configuration managing 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Although Mazda didn’t offer a hybrid variant, the turbo engine provided powerful performance, particularly in Sport mode. However, the CX-5's stiff suspension and less bolstered seats could make longer drives less comfortable.

On the other hand, the 2021 Ford Escape provided a broader array of powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, generating 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. It utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission and came with either FWD or AWD.

For those desiring more power, Ford offered an EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, which increased output to 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Ford’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid models combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, generating a total system output of 200 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid’s larger battery allowed it to travel longer distances on electric power alone.

Despite its three-cylinder configuration, the base engine performed adequately in everyday driving conditions. The hybrid variants received praise for their smooth transition between electric and gasoline propulsion. However, the Escape’s chassis tuning left something to be desired, with a less responsive suspension and steering setup, which detracted from the overall driving experience. For 2021, Ford added a Class 2 Trailer Tow Package for certain Escape models, offering a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 struck a balance between design and functionality, catering to family needs with comfort and style. The seating position and overall cabin layout were typical for an SUV in its class. While headroom was ample in both rows, rear legroom could be restricted if taller passengers occupied the front seats.

The CX-5 provided two full LATCH connections in the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the middle seat. Although these connections weren't the easiest to use, they were functional. Climate controls were straightforward and user-friendly, resembling a familiar design across Mazda's lineup.

However, the CX-5 fell short on cargo space compared to its competitors. With 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, it lagged behind models such as the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, both offering nearly 20 cubic feet more storage. Although a power liftgate was available, the CX-5's smaller cargo capacity was a drawback for some buyers.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape excelled in maximizing interior space despite its car-like styling. The Escape offered generous headroom and legroom in both the first and second rows. Its standard sliding rear seat allowed flexibility in enhancing legroom or cargo space as needed. With the rear seat in its default position, the gasoline Escape boasted 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 37.5 cubic feet by sliding the rear seat forward. Folding the rear seats provided 65.4 cubic feet of space.

However, hybrid and plug-in hybrid Escape models sacrificed some cargo and legroom due to the larger battery pack, leaving them with slightly reduced interior dimensions. Despite this, the Escape still outpaced many competitors in terms of passenger and cargo space.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, an admirable size for its class. However, Mazda’s operating system was lagging behind modern expectations. The interface, although uncluttered, was not user-friendly and detracted from the vehicle’s overall high-class impression. The lack of physical knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through applications was a notable omission.

Nevertheless, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration helped mitigate some of these issues. Drivers could control most entertainment features through their smartphones and steering wheel controls, though this workaround highlighted the infotainment system’s shortcomings.

The 2021 Ford Escape, on the other hand, utilized Ford’s older Sync 3 infotainment system, starting with a basic 4.2-inch touchscreen on the base model. However, moving up to the SE trim introduced a larger 8-inch touchscreen, pinch-and-zoom functionality, and SiriusXM radio. The top-tier Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, significantly enhancing the tech experience.

Although Sync 3 was generally user-friendly, the Escape didn't offer as many standard tech features as some competitors. Moreover, it lacked wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which newer systems provided.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was loaded with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. Buyers could also opt for additional features like a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, and traffic sign recognition.

The CX-5 earned high safety ratings, securing a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Mazda's safety reputation was further bolstered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Similarly, the 2021 Ford Escape received accolades for its safety. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick rating, with excellent scores in crash tests and LATCH anchor ease of use. However, its headlight ratings varied between Acceptable and Marginal, depending on the trim level. The NHTSA also gave the Escape a five-star overall safety rating.

Standard safety features in the Escape included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist, enhancing its safety credentials.