Ford Escape vs Mazda CX 5 comparison, the Ford Escape, and the Mazda CX5 are two of the most popular new crossover SUVs on the market today, and both vehicles offer high levels of quality and safety. But which one should you buy?
If you’re trying to decide between these two excellent vehicles, here’s everything you need to know about the new Ford Escape vs Mazda CX 5 comparison so you can determine which SUV offers the best value for your money.
Ford Escape vs Mazda CX 5
Comparing two compact SUVs may be a bit like comparing apples and oranges. After all, even though these two vehicles are in fact compact SUVs, they both offer vastly different things to different people.
With that said, each vehicle does have some distinct advantages over its counterpart, and knowing which one best meets your needs might help you decide which car to get.
This Ford Escape vs Mazda CX 5 comparison will break down their differences so you can decide for yourself whether or not it’s worth it to give up those extra inches of legroom.
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How Far is the Ford Escape Gas Mileage?
The Ford Escape has been hailed as one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, so you may be wondering how far the Ford Escape gas mileage really goes.
Before you invest in this vehicle, you should check out how much money you can save by using the Ford Escape in lieu of other more expensive vehicles and whether or not there are certain limitations to your car’s fuel efficiency that you should know about beforehand.
Typical Driving
You probably won’t be driving your Ford Escape nonstop at 65 miles per hour, so it’s important to know what mileage you can expect from a normal day behind the wheel. In terms of miles per gallon, that can vary widely depending on how you drive.
We calculated a daily gas mileage of about 22 MPG for our test model, though your results may differ based on where and how often you drive in addition to other factors.
For example, if you spend many hours each week stuck in traffic or rush-hour gridlock, chances are you won’t get as many miles out of a tank as someone who mostly drives during off-peak hours.
City Driving
In highway driving, fuel economy drops dramatically. Ford says that combined city and highway driving, you’ll get about 27 mpg in a front-wheel-drive Ford Escape with a 2.5-liter engine and an automatic transmission (or 26 mpg if you have a four-wheel-drive).
Highway driving on your own could be worse: The EPA estimates 22 mpg on highways for both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models with a 2.5-liter engine, which is only slightly better than what you can expect from other compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
Highway Driving
The EPA says that when you’re driving on a highway at 65 miles per hour, your Ford Escape gets 27 mpg in combined city and highway driving. This isn’t too surprising considering that most cars only get about 25 mpg for highway driving.
So, if you drive 15,000 miles each year on highways and city streets, then you can expect to pay an average of $918 per year for gas with your car. That might seem expensive, but it’s not as high as some other SUVs’ fuel costs.
Escape Model Lineup
The Ford Escape is offered in three trim levels. The S model comes standard with air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity, a trip computer, keyless entry, and an AM/FM radio.
Optional features include automatic climate control, keyless ignition, and entry, and a 6-speaker stereo system.
The SE model adds heated front seats and additional sound insulation to its list of optional features while adding leather upholstery to its standard equipment package.
A 3.0L V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission is available as an option on both trim levels.
The top-of-the-line Titanium model comes with all SE amenities plus satellite radio capability, heated side mirrors, and remote start.
Mazda Model Lineup
The 2017 Ford Escape comes in S, SE, and Titanium trims. Optional packages include front seat-mounted side airbags, remote start, heated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, and a navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic & Travel Link, HD Radio, and a nine-speaker Sony audio system.
The Ford Escape offers two engine options: A 2.5L I4 with 170 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque or a 1.6L EcoBoost turbocharged I4 that makes 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque for the SE and Titanium models only.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capabilities for both regular driving and offroad situations.
Read more: Mazda CX 5 colors | More Unique and Modern Color Variation
Pros and Cons of the Mazda CX-5
If you’re in the market for a new car, there are plenty of vehicles to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something sporty and fun or something spacious and utilitarian, there’s bound to be one that suits your needs perfectly.
One such vehicle, with the number of pros and cons it offers, is the Mazda CX-5. Here are some of its features to help you decide if it’s right for you!
Final thoughts
The Mazda CX-5 comes with a lot of positives, from its great mileage to its overall utility. However, there are a few areas where it could improve—namely in terms of safety.
Compared to other cars at similar price points, it lacks blind-spot detection and lane-keeping technology.
Although neither feature is available on most entry-level cars (and both can be added for $600), we were surprised that two major conveniences weren’t included as standard equipment.
Aside from those features, however, it’s a great choice for small families who want something sporty but practical—perfect for running errands or long road trips!
Interior Comfort
Although both SUVs have three rows of seating, they feel significantly different on the inside. If you plan to drive passengers around often, go with a Mazda.
Its third-row feels like part of a living room rather than an afterthought that doesn’t offer much legroom or comfort. When it comes to second-row seating, however, Ford’s crossover takes top honors.
The Escape’s second-row feels spacious enough for adults and folds nearly flat to make loading cargo easier.
In contrast, Mazda’s back seat seems less comfortable for larger passengers. It also has one less storage compartment compared to its competitor.
Exterior Style
With both of these SUVs, you get a sense of style when you look at them from a distance. Both vehicles are available in several different trim levels, so choose one that best fits your needs.
The Escape is offered in S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. The more expensive Titanium includes a panoramic sunroof and rain-sensing wipers among other upgrades. The base model has 17-inch wheels, while all others feature 18-inch wheels.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Ford Escape has a greater number of comfort & convenience features than the Mazda CX-5. Some features on Ford models that come standard include adjustable headrests in all seating positions, a tachometer, power windows, rear wipers, and more.
The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer as many options in their comparison when it comes to comfort and convenience features. For example, its automatic climate control requires an optional upgrade in order to be had.
Engine and Performance
The Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 have similar engine options, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit. For both vehicles, customers can choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
A six-speed automatic transmission is standard in both SUVs, while a six-speed manual transmission is available on select models of each vehicle.
The Ford Escape gets 18/25 mpg city/highway when equipped with front-wheel drive and 17/24 mpg with all-wheel drive; those numbers are roughly equivalent for its primary rival, as well.
Drivetrain/Transmission
If you’re looking for power, both vehicles deliver. The Ford offers a 2.0L EcoBoost engine that delivers 240hp with 270ft-lbs of torque.
Meanwhile, your Mazda comes with a 2.5L SKYACTIV® engine that kicks out 184hp with 185ft-lbs of torque.
While there’s not a lot of difference in power under full acceleration, it is notable that Ford tops out at 120mph while Mazda can go to 130mph (with an optional speed limiter).
Both are pretty good on gas mileage too: Ford averages 26mpg city/34mpg highway while Mazda comes in at 23mpg city/31mpg highway, both are capable vehicles when it comes to conserving fuel consumption. But which is best?
Fuel Economy
If you’re trying to decide between Ford’s Escape and Mazda’s CX-5, fuel economy might be a big deciding factor.
The Escape gets slightly better gas mileage (20 city/28 highway) than its Japanese counterpart (19 city/26 highway).
Although you may save some cash on gasoline with one vehicle or another, we think it’s worth noting that Ford has a superior resale value over its competitor.
If gas prices were to skyrocket in your area, opting for an Escape instead of a CX-5 could also save you from regret in case gas prices stay high long term.
Safety Features
Both vehicles have top safety scores. The Ford Escape has 5 out of 5 stars for driver side-impact, side-impact, front crash protection, overall safety rating, and rollover resistance.
It also has 4 out of 5 stars for passenger side impact protection. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5 has a 4 out of 5-star rating in every category except rollover resistance.
This means that it is equally safe as a Ford vehicle while it offers more protection than just about any other small SUV on the market.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a reliable ride with excellent crash ratings that still looks sleek and stylish then you should go with a Mazda CX-5 over an Escape or other comparable SUV or truck.
Pricing (MSRP)
It’s important to note that these vehicles have different MSRPs. The Ford Escape retails for $23,600. If you opt for a Titanium model, you’ll be paying closer to $32,000 (that’s a $9,400 difference).
To get into a Mazda CX-5 Touring model, it will cost you about $25,500—but if you go for a Grand Touring trim package that price skyrockets to $34,925 (again with a nearly ten grand price gap).
Both cars include certain standard features so let’s talk about how they differ there: There are more available safety features in the Ford Escape vs Mazda CX 5.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the ford escape a good vehicle?
The Ford Escape was first introduced to the US market in 2001 and has been very popular since. If you’re looking to purchase your first vehicle, or are looking to replace your current car, you may be considering purchasing a Ford Escape. Is this the right decision? Here’s what you need to know about the Ford Escape before buying one.
Which ford escape should i buy?
It can be a tough decision to figure out which Ford Escape is right for you. After all, there are many different versions of the Ford Escape and they’re offered in various trims so it can be overwhelming figuring out which one you should buy.
You may not even know where to start looking. The good news is that there are a few key questions you can ask yourself when deciding which version of Ford’s most popular vehicle is right for you.
How many passengers do I have to fit comfortably? If it’s more than five people, you might want to look at getting an Edge or Explorer; neither vehicle will work well with only two people in it. What features do I want or need?
What features does the cx-5 have?
The Mazda CX-5 has a sleek profile with a body style that makes it easy to park in tight spaces. The hatchback design also gives you extra space for whatever items you need to carry.
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powers both front and all-wheel-drive models, providing 184 horsepower and 185-pound feet of torque.
Engine specs vary slightly depending on which model you choose, but all have ample power for daily driving needs or weekend road trips.
You’ll get about 26 miles per gallon combined in front-wheel-drive trim, making it an economical choice as well.
Is mazda cx 5 same as ford escape?
No, they’re completely different vehicles. The Ford Escape is a compact SUV that seats five people; it comes with a 2.0L I4 engine, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and a 6’2 cargo capacity.
The Mazda CX-5 is also an SUV but with a different body style; it features four doors, seating for five passengers (or six if you order optional bucket seats), an optional turbocharged engine, automatic transmission only, and 15 cu ft of cargo space with rear seats folded down.
Conclusion
Both vehicles are fuel-efficient and have a similar number of available safety features, so it really comes down to how you plan to use your car.
The 2022 Ford Escape has more cargo space, which would make it great for larger families or those who do a lot of camping.
On the other hand, if you want something that can easily navigate through traffic in tight spaces and be used as an everyday commuter vehicle, then go with the 2022 Mazda CX 5.
Either way, both are great options for people looking for an affordable yet safe SUV.
