2021 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 stood out with its smooth, sleek design, a departure from the heavily creased and chiseled look of many competitors. It featured automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers on the base Sport model. The Touring trim added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, and a six-speaker audio system. The top-tier Signature model boasted Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, pushing the CX-5 into premium territory.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that was once cutting-edge but had become more mainstream. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were complemented by a conservative interior and dash design. The base S trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Platinum trim added a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, semi-aniline premium leather, and dark wood interior accents, emphasizing comfort and luxury.

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 turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available on higher trims, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for the non-turbo engine with FWD was 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The turbo engine with AWD achieved 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The CX-5 was known for its engaging driving style, though its stiff suspension could be a drawback.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It offered standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. The Murano excelled in low-speed acceleration and provided a comfortable ride, making it ideal for commuting and road trips. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, which was lower than many competitors.

The Mazda CX-5's interior design was functional but had some drawbacks. Headroom was good in both rows, but legroom was limited for rear passengers. The CX-5 offered 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 infotainment system controls were not ideally positioned for shorter drivers, and the larger shifter took up valuable passenger space.

The Nissan Murano provided up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. While not the most spacious in its class, the Murano made up for it with ease of use and a focus on two rows of seating. Both front and rear passengers enjoyed ample headroom and legroom, with the second-row seats offering partial reclining functionality.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was less user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the lack of physical knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites was a drawback.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a sensible menu layout and hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and available tech features included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Murano also offered a robust suite of standard safety features as part of Nissan Safety Shield 360, including reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Additional features such as a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control were available.