2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 stood out with its smooth, sleek design, diverging from the trend of deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles. It presented a stylish, almost slippery appearance 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. Higher trims like the Touring added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and auto-leveling LED headlights. 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 2022 Volvo XC60 received subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with “air blades” and a reworked grille that housed heated sensors for driver-assist systems. The rear bumper was redesigned to hide the tailpipes, and new wheel designs were introduced. The interior remained largely unchanged, maintaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The XC60 Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the R-Design model featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, adding a touch of flair to the otherwise subdued interior.

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. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, available on higher trims, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Fuel efficiency 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 for some.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains. The B5 combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 258 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The B6 added an electric supercharger, boosting output to 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively AWD. The B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the B6 did it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 also offered a plug-in hybrid variant, the XC60 Recharge, with 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 provided a comfortable and stylish interior, though rear legroom was limited. It featured 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. However, the larger shifter and infotainment system controls could be inconvenient for shorter drivers. Cargo space was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 offered competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. Cargo space for mild-hybrid models was 21.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with the seats down. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, enhanced by large exterior mirrors.

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, with a cluttered interface and inconvenient knob controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, offering a workaround for the infotainment system’s shortcomings.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a “Calm” setting to minimize distractions. The new layout with sideways swiping made the most of the available screen space.

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 overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 also offered a robust suite of standard safety features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. The XC60 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for the 2021 model.