2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler delivered a rugged and unapologetically utilitarian design reminiscent of driving a brick, particularly with its fourth-generation JL model. Available in two-door and four-door configurations (the latter known as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited), the Wrangler could be modified to suit various preferences, including removing the doors or opting for the Dual-Door Group with half doors for a feeling of safety while increasing visibility. The fold-down windshield catered to those who wanted the wind in their faces, and the assortment of top options facilitated open-air exploration.

Prominent features included wide fenders adorned with the American flag on the front, Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. At the back, a tailgate that swung out and rear glass that lifted up allowed easy access to the cargo area. The general design was straightforward and functional, with a few eye-catching exceptions such as the limited-edition "Reign" purple paint.

Inside, the Wrangler remained practical with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, complemented by the body-colored dash and chunky HVAC controls. It was devoid of unnecessary decor, maintaining a rugged and straightforward interior.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, exuded quality and sophistication, rivaling small luxury SUVs in terms of appearance and material quality despite being a mass-market vehicle. The stylish and refined design was a highlight, along with a high-quality assembly that made it a strong contender in its segment.

Under the hood, buyers had a choice between a standard 187-horsepower four-cylinder or a more potent 256-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The CX-5's premium features included Rhodium White metallic paint, Caturra Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, and a rear bumper guard in the top-tier 2.5 Turbo Signature trim.

Regardless of the trim level, the CX-5 offered a level of sophistication and refinement that made it feel like an entry-level luxury vehicle rather than just another compact crossover. Mazda's decision to phase out the CX-5 in favor of the new CX-50 was a strategic move, yet the CX-5 retained its charm and appeal until the end.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler was built for those who craved off-road prowess, with solid axles front and rear and optional differential lockers. Engine options catered to various preferences, starting with a standard V6 engine providing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill with 270 horses and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were available with either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

For torque enthusiasts, the 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 offered 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The high-performance Wrangler Rubicon 392 came with a massive 6.4-liter V8, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, while the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined two electric motors and a 17.3 kWh battery pack for 21 miles of all-electric range.

The Wrangler 392 we tested offered adrenaline-inducing performance, rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and tackling dunes and rocks with ease. Its 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, Selec-Trac transfer case with a 2.72 low range (or an upgraded 4:1 low range in the Rubicon), and an optional Xtreme Recon package for a 58:1 crawl ratio underscored its off-road capabilities. However, its on-road performance was marred by inadequate brakes and vague steering, making for a less-than-optimal driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, with its base 2.5 S model, delivered 187 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque via a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), achieving 26 mpg in combined driving.

Opting for the 2.5 Turbo variant granted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular gas. This engine, paired with the same six-speed automatic and AWD, delivered a spirited performance with a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg.

Mazda’s 2022 updates to the CX-5, which included increased structural rigidity, improved suspension dampening, noise reduction, and a responsive transmission, made it feel agile and solid on the road. The turbocharged engine provided quick acceleration once the torque kicked in at 2,000 rpm with regular gas, or 2,500 rpm with premium. The CX-5 offered an exhilarating yet refined driving experience, with minimal body roll and precise handling on twisting roads. However, its fuel economy was slightly disappointing, clocking in at 21.4 mpg during our test drive in hilly terrain.

The front seats of the 2023 Jeep Wrangler were comfortable, though ventilated seats were not available and heated seats were restricted to the 392 model or the cold-weather package. The rear seats, particularly in the four-door variants, were quite cramped and access was challenging due to small rear doors.

Storage inside the Wrangler was limited. The flat dash lacked storage cubbies, and both the glove box and center console were small. The bin on the dash’s top was the only sizable storage spot, but it risked overheating items like cell phones. Cargo capacity was 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was slightly less than its direct competitor, the Ford Bronco.

The Wrangler’s versatile tops, including a hardtop, Sunrider option, soft-top, and the Sky One-Touch power soft top, provided various degrees of open-air experience. The power soft top’s ability to retract within 17 seconds up to 60 mph was a significant convenience, despite some limitations in achieving a fully open feel.

Charging points were plentiful in the Wrangler, with multiple USB-A and USB-C ports and a scattering of 12-volt outlets, alongside a 115-volt outlet in the center console.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, with its 2022 updates, introduced more comfortable and supportive front seats. Every trim level included a height-adjustable driver’s seat, while trims higher than the 2.5 S included a height-adjustable front passenger seat, power adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and three different upgrades for the upholstery.

Mazda's premium trim, such as the Signature model, featured Nappa leather that oozed luxury. However, technology, storage, and rear-seat room were its notable downsides. Mazda Connect, which lacked intuitive voice recognition and relied on physical controls that required memorization and could be distracting, further complicated in-car interaction, unlike more user-friendly systems in luxury rivals.

The CX-5's cargo space was on the lower side for its class with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a maximum of 59.3 cubic feet with them folded. This was substantially less compared to other crossovers but more than some premium SUVs.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect system, while our tester sported the larger 8.4-inch screen. Despite an initially overwhelming interface filled with icons, Uconnect was user-friendly once drivers acclimated. The off-road pages provided useful data such as power distribution, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates.

Tech features in the Wrangler were straightforward, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Advanced technology elements were sparse, focused mainly on practical additions like a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket customizations. There were no fancy digital keys or extensive over-the-air updates outside the Uconnect system.

Conversely, the 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a large 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. Despite its appealing looks, the system faltered in usability. Lacking a conversational voice-recognition system, it depended on physical controls that were awkward and required significant attention away from the road.

Mazda Connect's control knob necessitated multiple twists and pushes, often requiring drivers to look at the screen to execute commands, making it more distracting than a traditional touchscreen. Moreover, the user experience could be frustrating, particularly when navigating satellite radio stations. Despite these drawbacks, the system offered standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services, and an optional Bose premium audio system in higher trims.

The CX-5 also included a front-facing camera that activated via parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, enhancing parking ease and safety.

Jeep’s safety offerings in the 2023 Wrangler were somewhat limited. Standard features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Higher trims like the 392 model received additional features such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Lane-keeping assist was notably absent.

Drivers could customize their safety features, adjusting warning types and intervals for blind-spot and forward collision systems, and setting distances for adaptive cruise control. However, safety ratings from the IIHS showed mixed results, with a combination of Good and Marginal ratings across various categories. The NHTSA granted the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash and a three-star rollover rating, but it lacked a side crash rating.

Mazda's CX-5 offset its infotainment shortcomings with a robust i-Activsense suite of driver assistance technologies. Most features were standard, with the 2.5 Turbo Signature offering exclusive additions like a surround-view camera, parking sensors, rear low-speed automatic emergency braking, and Traffic Jam Assist.

The i-Activsense system was praised for its smooth, refined operation, with a subtle lane-keeping assist and an accurate adaptive cruise control system. The added Active Driving Display included blind-spot and lane-departure warnings, enhancing safety.

Crash-test ratings were another strong point for the CX-5. The NHTSA awarded it five stars in every category except rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick for 2023, thanks to excellent performance in small-overlap and side-impact tests.