2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was a smooth and stylish vehicle that stood out in a market filled with deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles. Its design was sleek and slippery, even when stationary. 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. The Touring trim added 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. The Touring Preferred SV Package further enhanced the Touring model with a 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and power-adjustable seats.

The CX-5 Carbon Edition combined the Touring features with the Touring Preferred SV Package, adding Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. The interior boasted red leather seats and black honeycomb trim. The Grand Touring model included dual heated mirrors, leatherette-trimmed upholstery, 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels, LED taillights, fog lights, and daytime running lights. The Grand Touring Reserve added ventilated seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic folding door mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The top-tier CX-5 Signature featured Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, ambient lighting, a black headliner, and 19-inch silver aluminum alloy wheels.

The 2022 BMW X3, available in four variants, featured a revised exterior design with a more aggressive stance. The kidney grille was larger, and the headlights were slimmer, accommodating new vertical air intakes and a redesigned front bumper. The rear taillights had a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The updated rear included larger exhaust tips and a new bumper. The X3 was available in nine finishes, with new colors Brooklyn Grey and Tanzanite Blue II. Standard 19-inch gray aluminum-alloy wheels were matched with all-season run-flat tires. The M Sport Package added larger front air intakes, a sportier rear bumper, a substantial rear diffuser, and side air-curtain panels. The X3 M40i featured a BMW M grille with high-gloss black double-bar inserts, M exterior mirrors, and M-designed light-alloy wheels.

The cabin of the 2022 X3 presented a clean and efficient design with dark oak wood trim, an anthracite headliner, eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, adjustable side bolsters, reclinable rear seatbacks, tri-zone automatic climate control, and new perforated SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery. The X3 sDrive30i models and up could be optioned with premium Vernasca leather. A panoramic moonroof was standard on the X3 M40i but available for sDrive30i and xDrive30i models. Interior color choices varied by material and model, with ambient lighting offering 11 color combinations.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available on the Carbon Edition, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trims, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The most fuel-efficient version was the FWD model with the base engine, achieving 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine models were slightly less fuel-efficient. The CX-5's sporty drive style was engaging, but the stiff suspension could be a drawback.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The sDrive30i achieved 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i offered 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The X3 M40i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The M40i achieved 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The X3 M40i offered a more exhilarating driving experience with additional M features like a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, an adaptive suspension, and a rear-oriented torque split.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5's design allowed it to fulfill family needs with comfort and style. The seating position and comfort level were typical of an SUV of its size, with good headroom but limited legroom for back seat passengers. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat. The climate controls were straightforward and easy to use. The larger shifter took up passenger space, and the infotainment system controls were not in the most intuitive position for shorter drivers. The CX-5 had 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, below average for the segment.

The 2022 BMW X3 offered seating for five and ample storage space. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, providing enough cargo room for backpacks and equipment. A power tailgate was standard, with an optional hands-free opening. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the upgraded Vernasca leather adding more softness. The X3's sport seats were supportive, but the thigh-support cushion control handle could be an issue for some drivers. The redesigned center console resembled newer BMW models, with a standard 10.25-inch infotainment system and an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. The push-button and rocker-style controls for climate and heated seat functions were positioned below the center air vents, followed by the audio controls.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was not user-friendly. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites was inconvenient, though volume control was accessible via the steering wheel or a knob in the center console. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the infotainment system's shortcomings.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, including a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, two USB ports, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and various connected digital features. The optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches and provided a fully-digital experience. The standard 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system could be upgraded to a Harman Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers. Other tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package, adding features like keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, lumbar support, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, a head-up display, and gesture control.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 had a long list of standard safety features, including 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. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Mazda offered a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2018 X3, which shared similar safety features, was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The 2022 X3 added more safety features, including adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision avoidance, park distance control with auto braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection, and active pre-collision protection systems. The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus, active park distance control, and a 360-degree surround camera view. The Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, front cross-traffic alert, a 3D assisted view display, active lane-keep assist with lane centering, and side collision avoidance.