2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV segment. It was stylish, built with high-quality materials, and felt more like a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the CX-5 boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Mazda had redesigned and renamed the CX-5 as the CX-50, but the 2023 model still exuded quality, refinement, and sophistication across all its versions. The lineup ranged from the 2.5 S at $26,700 to the 2.5 Turbo Signature at $39,650, with the test vehicle priced at $41,655.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar. The Escape offered various trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite being the top trim. This model featured 19-inch wheels, body-color mirror caps, and wheel-arch cladding, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the ST-Line Elite flaunted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat made long drives enjoyable. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It had an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also paired with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive performance and a firm, connected ride quality. However, it fell short of its expected fuel economy during testing, achieving 21.4 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered two engine options as well. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available with FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with AWD. While the four-cylinder engine provided better acceleration and high-speed performance, the Escape’s suspension remained soft and compliant, lacking the precision of a performance crossover. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, making it easy to maneuver.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates for improved comfort and support in the front seats. All trims featured a height-adjustable driver’s seat, with power adjustment, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control available in higher trims. The Signature trim included Nappa leather upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. However, the CX-5’s interior space was limited, with small storage areas, cramped rear seats, and a cargo capacity of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable and supportive seats with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. The Escape’s cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it competitive with the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 but falling short of leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors, but the back seat’s headroom and scalloped front-seat backs helped maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5’s Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. However, it lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls on the center console were awkward to use. The control knob required a series of twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting to use while driving. Despite these issues, Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system. Lower trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 13.2-inch screen. Sync 4 was well-organized, with individual tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing. The system was easy to navigate, though it was occasionally slow to respond. The larger screen upgraded the cabin’s look, and the static “Home” button made it easy to switch between applications. The Escape’s tech features were user-friendly and intuitive, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with most driver assistance tech bundled under the i-Activsense banner. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim added a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, performing exceptionally well in crash tests.

The 2023 Ford Escape also received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, 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.