2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a testament to Land Rover's long-standing tradition of crafting luxury SUVs. It exuded class and elegance, with a design that was both sporty and reminiscent of the larger Range Rover's iconic profile. The Velar's exterior was a blend of blocky and streamlined elements, featuring a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. Its flush door handles and unique taillight lenses added to its sophisticated appearance. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite being a base trim, the interior maintained a sense of luxury, with exemplary fit and finish.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV segment. It was stylish and constructed with high-quality materials, giving it the feel of a small luxury SUV. The CX-5's design updates included improved structural rigidity and suspension dampening, enhancing its driving dynamics. The interior featured premium Nappa leather upholstery in the Signature trim, adding a touch of luxury. However, the CX-5's infotainment system was a point of contention, lacking a conversational voice recognition system and featuring a somewhat cumbersome control interface. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-5's overall quality and refinement were evident across all trim levels.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a unique driving experience for a Land Rover. It featured a lower center of gravity and lighter weight, improving cornering and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar also offered an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two states of tune: 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, or 395 hp and 405 lb-ft. This powertrain provided the high performance expected by luxury buyers while reducing emissions.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 187 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The more enticing option was the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel. This engine also paired with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD. The CX-5's updates for the 2022 model year improved its structural rigidity, suspension dampening, and transmission responsiveness, making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle. The turbocharged engine provided a satisfying driving experience, with a firm and connected ride quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs and only slightly roomier than compact SUVs. Its stylish exterior compromised headroom, especially for rear-seat passengers, and limited visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was limited, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design also included a controversial parking brake control, integrated with the transmission button, which was not intuitive. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the interface, making it faster and easier to use.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's interior updates included modified front seats for improved comfort and support. The Signature trim featured Nappa leather upholstery, adding a luxurious touch. However, the CX-5's technology, storage space, rear-seat room, and cargo space were less impressive. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, and the control interface was somewhat cumbersome. The CX-5 offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the seat folded, which was less than many mainstream rivals but more than some entry-luxury models.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest traffic detours. The Velar also offered a 360-degree camera system and an optional adaptive cruise control with steering assist. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was frustrating to use. It lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls on the center console were awkward. The system required a series of twists and pushes to execute commands, making it less intuitive than a touchscreen. Despite these drawbacks, Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a free three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been crash-tested by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) with a five-star rating. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The i-Activsense suite of driver assistance technologies was standard, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim added a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist.