The 2020 Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 are two lively crossovers with plenty to offer in terms of comfort and technology. Which should you choose? Our comparison guide has the details you need to make the right choice.
Everyday Practicality and Comfort: 2020 Ford Escape
When you’re shopping this highly competitive crossover segment, you’ll find a lot to like. Both models put a modern spin on comfort, but the Escape stands out with its updated interior and new utility features. For starters, the Escape has the biggest cargo hold, with up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats (the CX-5 has just 30.9 cubes back there). To haul home improvement supplies or unwieldy sports gear, flip the Escape’s rear seats down for up to 65.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space (59.6 cubes in the CX-5).
Since the Escape has the bigger cabin, it’s naturally the more comfortable place to spend a road trip. You love how much head and legroom it has in each row. Although the CX-5 is a little less roomy, it joins the Escape in offering a wide range of modern comfort features, from leather upholstery to heated seats.
Prime Technology: 2020 Ford Escape
Here, the Escape once again takes the lead. Its Sync 3 system offers some of the best plug-and-play infotainment technology out there. Just connect your smartphone and compatible apps will display on the 8-inch touchscreen. Press and hold a button on the steering wheel to use your phone’s voice controls – a great feature when you’re stuck in heavy traffic.
Mazda also offers a savvy touchscreen interface and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The CX-5 system is relatively easy to use – we just have one criticism. Some of the on-screen icons are hard to interpret, especially when you’re trying to focus on the road.
Standard Safety: 2020 Ford Escape
For 2020, every Escape comes standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver safety aids. This bundle gives you a lot of vigilance-boosting technology, including blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and a backup camera. Some of its standard systems will actively intervene on your behalf to keep you from danger, including pre-collision detection with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
This year, the CX-5 also comes standard with an impressive array of safety features – though not as many as the Escape gives you. Mazda’s i-Activsense suite of safety aids includes lane keeping assist and smart brake support technology, which can automatically apply the brakes when it senses the risk of an imminent crash.
Sporty Performance: It’s a Tie!
Both the 2020 Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 are known for their sporty rides. The Escape might give you more powertrain options, but these crossovers are equally fun, albeit in slightly different ways.
The Escape gives you five driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Snow and Sand – so you can configure transmission settings to suit your environment. Sporty is great for twisty mountain roads. Snow and Sand mode is intended for deep snow. When the road is icy, use Slippery mode.
Since this newly redesigned Escape is lighter than previous models by 200 pounds, it can’t help but give you a sportier ride. From behind the wheel, the Escape impresses with its response time and sharp steering.
Mazda has earned its reputation for sporty performance, and the CX-5 is no exception. This crossover features sharp steering and especially sporty handling, maximizing fun wherever you go – whether around tight corners or audaciously curvy highways. If handling is big on your agenda, you’ll love how the CX-5 moves.
Though the CX-5 offers best-in-class handling and lots of standard safety features, the 2020 Ford Escape trumps it in almost every other way. If you’re after a tech-savvy, comfortable cabin and seriously sporty ride, make the Escape your first choice.