Introduction
Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5: Crossovers are mostly famous, however, in the era of car enthusiasts they aren’t the keys we must fight over. Further, we worship the tenets of performance, handling, and refinement. Moreover, Crossovers come with variant values, and while we can appreciate their practicality, we’d argue that a station wagon does everything a crossover can do while being a better thing to drive. As the market shifts to these lifted hatchbacks, passenger cars are thus beginning to die out. In this article, we will read about Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5 cars.
Ford Escape
![](https://blog.japanesecartrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ford-escape-2.jpg)
Furthermore, if we find ourselves at a compact-crossover key party, we must try hard to grab the key fob to the Mazda CX-5 out of the bowl. It’s even a fun-to-drive delight in a segment plagued by dullness. Further, the CX-5 is such a bright spot and so in line with the values that it is earning its way. A perennial best-seller, the redesigning of the Escape from the ground up and features a new turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a further a new look inside and out. In order to see if the Escape’s key is the one we are fishing for, you may hit the road with both the Ford and the Mazda.
Mazda CX-5
![](https://blog.japanesecartrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/mazda-cx-5-1024x676.jpg)
The Matchup
The Mazda comes with three different four-cylinder engines—two burn gas, and the third consumes diesel. Further, on the other side, Ford takes a different approach and offers two turbocharged engines while its third powertrain is a gas-electric hybrid. Moreover, the CX-5 Grand Touring consists of standard 2.5-liter four and all-wheel drive. Further, the Escape that aligns with the CX-5 Grand Touring is the Escape SEL. You may notice that we have an SE model with all-wheel drive. While it. However, it lacks a few of the features of the well-equipped CX-5 Grand Touring; the Escape does have a hefty price advantage.
On the Road
It is perhaps the biggest difference between the Mazda and Ford is what’s under the hood. The Ford Escape’s standard engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-three with 180 horsepower. While the Mazda CX-5’s base engine is a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-banger. Besides this, at the test track, the Escape’s three-cylinder churn it to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds. Moreover, The CX-5’s larger four-cylinder is sent to the same speed in 7.9 seconds. Furthermore, acceleration might be close enough to call a draw. However, Ford’s smaller engine handily beat the CX-5 in our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test—35 mpg to the CX-5’s 29 mpg.
Consider driving both backs to back reveals some other differences. Further, what’s immediately apparent is that the CX-5 steers stops, and rides in a way that makes us grin. Moreover, Mazda’s controls feel alive, refined, and thus are made for folks who enjoy driving. There’s no wrong with the way the Escape steers, stops, or rides, it’s just that the CX-5 is tuned better.
Besides this, the Escape is lagging in the CX-5’s solid refinement, though. Even imperfections in the small road send loud thumps via the Escape’s floor and structure. When it is at a steady 70 mph, the Escape is noisier than the CX-5.
The Inside View
You can see the Escape’s cabin’s cheap-feeling seat fabric and plastic steering wheel. However, going up to the Escape’s SEL trim level would address the complaints with different seat fabric and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Further choosing for the higher SEL trim level would bring memory seats and further side mirrors as well as one-touch power windows. The Mazda, on the other hand, approaches luxury-car standards from the inside. Furthermore, its cabin materials simply are richer and better looking.
Mazda CX-5
![](https://blog.japanesecartrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/mazda-cx5-dashboard-1024x724.jpg)
Some buyers are likely to imagine using their vehicles to go tailgating, further taking the family on short vacations, or camping in the wilderness.
![](https://blog.japanesecartrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mazda-CX-5-interior-1-1024x576.jpg)
Considering the paper, the Ford beats the CX-5 in terms of cargo capacity, with 34 cubic feet in the way back and moreover, 65 cubes with the second-row folded.
![](https://blog.japanesecartrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mazda-CX-5-trunk.jpg)
Furthermore, Mazda measures three fewer cubic feet with all of its seats up and five fewer with the rear seats folded. However, the CX-5’s available space is more usable. Besides this, We can easily shove nine carry-on-size suitcases in the CX-5’s cargo area and 23 with all of the seats down.
Ford Escape
![](https://blog.japanesecartrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ford-Escape-dashboard.jpg)
Generally, People prefer Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system over the CX-5’s rather dated interface.
![](https://blog.japanesecartrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ford-escape-interior.jpg)
The Escape’s 8.0-inch screen is an inch larger than the Mazda’s, the touchscreen responds quickly, and moreover, the menus are easy to navigate. The touchscreen of Mazda is smaller and also has a rotary control knob on the center console. However, the response and boot-up time can be laggy. Also, the graphics would benefit from the newer infotainment system Mazda uses on its Mazda 3 and CX-30 models. Both systems feature Apple Car Play and Android Auto, but only Ford has Wi-Fi.
The Bottom Line
After taking into consideration the two (Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5) compact crossovers, the Mazda comes out as a clear winner. Although both better to drive and further live with. However, spending more for an Escape SEL can solve a few issues, but the Escape’s larger fit and finish issues cannot be completely addressed with that higher trim level. Further, Ford does enjoy some clear and important advantages over the Mazda. It is further including a superior infotainment system and better fuel economy. But while the Ford feels like it came off the discount rack, the Mazda never stops feeling like its more opulent than its price. Above all, The CX-5’s key is the ideal one we should grab.
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