2024 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive charm with steel wheels and minimal adornment, while the Raptor trim boasted a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim evoked nostalgia with a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, and unique plaid seat upholstery. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof marine-grade vinyl upholstery, designed more for durability than luxury.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its traditional Mazda styling, which had aged well since the second-generation model debuted in 2017. The new Suna trim featured exclusive Zircon Sand paint and Terracotta leather seats with black artificial suede inserts. Mazda improved the fuel economy of the base engine versions and added wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to several trims. The CX-5 lineup included versions with a base engine and 2.5 Turbo models, with the Turbo offering 256 hp on premium gas. The interior materials, seating, and technology upgrades over the years resulted in an upscale crossover SUV at a mainstream price.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line Raptor featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with a 4WD drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV, but it tracked straight down the highway and was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler. The high-riding dimensions required more care on curving roads, but the Bronco felt confident and maneuverable, especially with the aid of several cameras.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo delivered 256 hp at 5,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The powertrain was more rewarding with a slower, steadier acceleration, allowing revs to build before delivering torque. The CX-5's fuel economy was unimpressive, with a combined rating of 9.8 L/100 km, but the base engine offered better efficiency. The CX-5 felt tall and narrow from the driver's seat, with excellent outward visibility. Mazda re-tuned the suspension for a smoother ride and made AWD standard, enhancing cornering and minimizing body motions. The CX-5 was quiet on the highway, firm and connected in the city, and stable on twisty roads, with a decent 20 cm of ground clearance for off-road trails.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to the rear seats. The two-door Bronco had up to 634 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,481 litres with the seats folded, while the four-door offered 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, appealing to hardcore off-roaders.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 featured standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with comfortable and supportive seating. The driver’s seat offered six-way power adjustment, while passengers could manually adjust seat height. The CX-5 was snug for four adults, with good rear seat support and soft front seatback material. The cabin design and quality elevated the CX-5 above most mass-market rivals, with 871 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 1,680 litres with the rear seat folded.

The 2023 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road abilities, with G.O.A.T. drive modes optimizing engine and suspension settings for various terrains. Numerous camera views and the Trail Turn Assist feature aided in navigating tight spaces. The Bronco also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s SYNC 4, and FordPass Connect, with an available 12-inch infotainment display.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 eschewed touchscreens for traditional switchgear, though it allowed touchscreen operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while driving. The 10.25-inch display was navigated via a large knob and surrounding buttons on the centre console. Mazda Connected Services offered remote engine starting and more, while several trims featured a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial crash test results, with the four-door earning four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from NHTSA. IIHS awarded it "Good" in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more, with additional features available in higher trims.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive headlights and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 previously earned a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, and NHTSA gave it five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.