2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the adventurous spirit, capturing the essence of its larger sibling, the Bronco, with a modern retro design. It featured a frameless crossover body, making it suitable for both urban commutes and weekend getaways. The Bronco Sport's exterior was characterized by its short front overhang, tall fender wells, and minimalistic body sides, all designed for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with the modest Ford badge, added to its rugged appeal. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design, featuring an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats, catering to different preferences.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a sleek and smooth design approach, standing out with its polished exterior. The base model came with LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, and a rear roof spoiler, while higher trims added features like leatherette seats, a power liftgate, and auto-dimming mirrors. The CX-5's interior was well-executed, with high-quality materials and a focus on comfort. The top-tier Signature model boasted Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim, elevating its premium feel. Despite its stylish design, the CX-5's interior space was somewhat limited, particularly in terms of rear legroom and cargo capacity, which was below average for its segment.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine provided a better match for the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 also offered two engine choices. The base GX model featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The GT and Signature trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The CX-5's fuel efficiency varied, with the FWD non-turbo model being the most economical. The turbo engine provided spirited performance, especially in Sport mode, but the CX-5's stiff suspension could be a drawback for some. Despite its sporty drive, the CX-5's handling was not as agile as its smaller sibling, the CX-30.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like a cargo space capable of holding two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided a range of accessories for transporting outdoor gear, and the roof could support up to 68 kilograms. The 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms, while the 1.5-litre engine managed 907 kilograms. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin offered ample storage, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 provided a comfortable and stylish interior, though rear legroom was limited, especially with taller front-seat passengers. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections for child seats, though they were not the easiest to use. The climate controls were straightforward, but the larger shifter took up passenger space. The infotainment controls were not ideally positioned for shorter drivers. The CX-5's cargo space was below average, with 875 litres behind the second row and 1,687 litres with the seats folded, falling short compared to competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered various drive modes, with additional off-road modes on the Badlands model. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, though its operating system was not user-friendly. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favourites was a drawback, though volume control was accessible via the steering wheel or centre console. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the infotainment system's limitations.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating and a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. Additional features like a head-up display and surround-view camera system were available. The CX-5 earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Mazda provided a three-year/unlimited kilometre new vehicle warranty and a five-year/unlimited kilometre powertrain warranty.