2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings, appealing to a diverse range of buyers across different demographics. The Grand Cherokee's pricing started at an MSRP of $46,245 for the Laredo model and went up to $71,045 for the Summit, with several variants in between, including high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions. The Limited X model, priced at $62,140 Canadian, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, ventilated hood design, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior materials, especially in models priced over $60,000, were criticized for their excessive use of hard plastic, detracting from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a different design approach, opting for smooth lines and a sleek appearance that stood out even when stationary. The base GX model came with features like LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, and a rear roof spoiler, while the GS added leatherette seats, a power liftgate, and auto-dimming mirrors. The Kuro Edition offered unique styling elements like Polymetal Gray paint and red leather seats. The GT model included leather upholstery and a Bose audio system, while the Signature trim, which was tested, boasted Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim, rivaling premium brands. The CX-5's interior was praised for its fit and finish, with materials that felt superior to typical compact crossovers.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing satisfying acceleration and a fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 360 hp, a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk delivering 707 hp. The Grand Cherokee offered four different 4WD systems, with the Trailhawk model being the most off-road capable. The Limited X model tested featured the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, which performed well off-road but had mixed driving dynamics on pavement, with excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 187 hp and a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 250 hp. The turbo engine, available on the GT and standard on the Signature trim, provided a robust 320 lb-ft of torque. The CX-5's fuel efficiency varied, with the FWD non-turbo model achieving 8.8 L/100 km combined, while the turbo AWD model used 9.8 L/100 km. The CX-5 was praised for its engaging driving style, especially in Sport mode, but its stiff suspension and lack of seat bolstering were noted drawbacks. The AWD system kept the vehicle planted, but the CX-5's smaller sibling, the CX-30, was considered sportier.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The interior had decent storage options, though some areas like the glovebox were limited. Rear passengers, including children, found the seating comfortable, with adequate legroom and rear air vents. The interior was noted for its thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests, but the integration of seat heater controls into the infotainment system was a source of irritation.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 provided a comfortable and stylish interior, though rear legroom was limited, especially with taller front-seat occupants. The CX-5 featured two full LATCH connections for child seats and straightforward climate controls. The centre console's larger shifter took up space, and the infotainment controls were not ideally positioned for shorter drivers. Cargo space was below average for the segment, with 875 litres behind the second row and 1,687 litres with the seats folded. A power liftgate was available, but the CX-5's cargo capacity was outmatched by competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The system was known for its speed and ease of use, though the ride quality could make selecting virtual buttons challenging. The Limited X trim included a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available on higher trims. Unique to Jeep was the Off-Road Pages app, providing off-road information, while the SRT and Trackhawk models had Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, though the operating system was criticized for its outdated design and difficult usability via the centre console knob. The lack of tuning knobs was a drawback, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing for easier control via smartphones. The screen's positioning made it a stretch for drivers to reach, and the system's functionality was not as intuitive as competitors.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of ADAS, with ProTech I standard on all trims, including a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS for driver and passenger protection in certain tests.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. Additional options 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 rating from the NHTSA, making it one of the safest vehicles in its class. Mazda's warranty coverage included a three-year/unlimited kilometre new vehicle warranty and a five-year/unlimited kilometre powertrain warranty.