2023 Ford Escape vs 2024 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired aesthetic. The refresh included a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and a centrally mounted Ford blue oval logo. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked premium but felt hard and plasticky. Despite the abundance of plastic materials, the seats were comfortable and the 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat was easy to configure.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its design from the second-generation model introduced in 2017, which still looked modern and appealing. Our test vehicle, the new Carbon Turbo trim, featured Zircon Sand paint and exclusive Terracotta leather seats with black artificial suede inserts. The interior materials and design elevated the CX-5 above most mass-market rivals, giving it a near-luxury feel. The CX-5 also offered a range of trims, with the Turbo models providing a more powerful engine and additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Higher trims like the ST-Line Elite featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively available with AWD. The Escape’s suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable on rough roads, but it lacked the precision of a performance crossover. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo, when filled with premium gas, delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. On regular gas, it still offered 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain was more rewarding with a gradual press on the accelerator, allowing the revs to build. However, the fuel economy was unimpressive, with an observed 22.9 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5’s suspension was re-tuned for a smoother ride, and the frame was stiffened for responsive handling. Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced cornering, making the CX-5 feel sophisticated and fun to drive. It also offered a decent 7.9 inches of ground clearance for light off-road use.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable and supportive seats with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. Passenger space was also slightly less than some competitors, but the back seat’s headroom and the front-seat backs’ padding helped maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 featured standard heated front seats that were redesigned for comfort and support. The driver’s seat had six-way power adjustment, and the center console sides were padded for added comfort. Leather upholstery was standard on most trims, with premium Nappa leather available on the top-tier 2.5 Turbo Signature. The rear seat offered good support and a proper sitting position, with rear air conditioning vents and a center armrest enhancing passenger comfort. The CX-5’s cargo space was smaller than most competitors, with 30 cubic feet behind the back seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system. Lower trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the ST-Line Elite came with a 13.2-inch screen. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and the native navigation system. However, the system was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob’s placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the overall tech package was attractive and intuitive.

Mazda’s approach with the 2024 CX-5 focused on minimizing driver distraction by avoiding touchscreens for most functions. The 10.25-inch display was controlled via a large knob and surrounding buttons on the center console. While this setup was less intuitive in a touchscreen-dominated world, it allowed for safer operation. The CX-5 offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on several trims, and the Mazda Connected Services provided remote engine starting, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The 10-speaker Bose premium sound system in the Carbon Turbo trim added to the premium feel.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not grant it a Top Safety Pick designation, noting a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, traffic sign recognition, and Traffic Jam Assist. The top-tier 2.5 Turbo Signature included a driver monitoring system, surround-view camera, and automatic reverse braking. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. While it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for 2024, it had previously received this accolade.