Ford Escape Vs Mazda CX-5 Comparison

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This is the Ford Escape Vs Mazda CX-5 comparison for 2017. The Escape brand has been re-born to  replace the unfortunately named Kuga. Judging from the very few you see on the road is another Ford HQ rebranding failure for the Australian market along with a few other and other problems witht he package detailed below. The 2017 CX-5 is one of our favorite SUVs regardless of size at the time of this review and the comparison is even more meaningful since both shared platforms for the last generation.

Ford Escape Vs Mazda CX-5 exterior comparison: The Escape is a refinement of the Kuga so it looks Ok although slightly dated. The harder edges or creases recall the styling of other Ford cars like the Focus and Fiesta  both to be replaced soon as well. The Ford Escape looks like decent SUV and even slightly sporty thanks to great wheel to body ratio and choice of alloy wheels. In comparison the Mazda CX-5 looks upmarket although at some angles it does look a little awkward. Since we like both designs so the choice you would need to make is based on CX-3’s current and modern styling Vs last generation styling of the Ford Escape.

Ford Escape Vs Mazda CX-5 interior comparison: The interior comparison between these two SUVs are like their exterior. The Ford Escape interior is impressive, the styling is futuristic and the layout has buttons, dial screens work really well. It may seem harder to operate but familiarity is all that’s needed.  That said the controls have been minimized and seemingly has more than the CX-5.  The Escape’s material quality is pretty good, for example a cut above the 2017 Toyota RAV4 although not up to level of the CX-5. The CX-5 interior is a nice to be especially in the higher end of the model range although lower end models are similar to the Ford Escape. While looking less cluttered and simply more ‘upmarket’ the CX-5’s main design problem is the protruding screen.

Ford Escape Vs Mazda CX-5 engine and technology comparison: The biggest problem with the Ford Escape like it’s predecessors is that it requires 95 Octane petrol which costs more than regular 91 Octane. The next problem with Ford is the history of unreliability with the Dual Clutch Auto transmission and the reluctance of Ford to acknowledge the problem regardless of model. DCT gearboxs in general do not have a good reputation is this will impact on the perception of Ford’s reliability just like VW. Furthermore Ford also uses the turbo tuning trick for a couple of its engines so will never win a comparison. Why do manufacturers do this? The CX-5 arguably has the most advanced engine in the world because its does not need a turbo and has all the latest systems. The CX-5 easily wins the engine and technology aspect.

The conclusion and winner of the Ford Escape Vs Mazda CX-5 comparison is the CX-5.  The CX-5 has the price and safety advantage with auto brakes, proper transmission, No turbo tuning ripoff and can run on 91 Octane. For the same price as the Ford Escape you get more equipment, quality and features in the CX-5.

Mazda CX-5	Ford Escape
Engines
IL 4 Cylinder Petrol DOHC EFI VVT 2.0 Litre (1996cc) Claimed 114Kw @ 6000RPM Claimed 200Nm @ 4000RPM	IL4 Cylinder – Petrol (95 Octane) Turbo-charged DOHC 16 Valve VVT 1.6 Litre (1499cc) Claimed 110Kw @ 6000RPM or Claimed 134Kw @ 6000RPM Claimed 240Nm @ 1600RPM or Claimed 240Nm @ 1600RPM
IL4 Cylinder Petrol 2.5 Litre (2488cc) DOHC Engine EFI Claimed 138Kw @ 5700RPM Claimed 250Nm @ 4000RPM	IL4 Cylinder – Petrol (95 Octane) Turbo-charged DOHC 16 Valve 1.6 Litre (1499cc)Claimed 240Nm @ 1600RPM
IL 4 Cylinder Twin Turbo Diesel DI CR EFI 2.2 Litre (2191cc) Claimed 129Kw @ 4500RPM Claimed 420Nm @ 2000RPM	IL4 Cylinder – Petrol (95 Octane) Turbo-charged DOHC 16 Valve 2.0 Litre (1999cc) Claimed 178Kw @ 5500RPM Claimed 345Nm @ 2000RPM
	IL4 Cylinder – Diesel Turbo-charged – CR – DI 2 Litre (1997cc) Claimed 132Kw @ 3500RPM Claimed 4000Nm @ 2000RPM
Weight
FROM 1511 Kg Towing capacity up to 1800kg	Kerb weight FROM 1484Kg Towing capacity up to 1500kg
Fuel capacity & consumption
Up to 58 litres IL4 2.0 Petrol 6.9 Lts per 100km AVG IL4 2.5 Petrol 7.5 Lts per 100km AVG IL4 2.2 Diesel 6 Lts per 100km AVG	Up to 60 litres 1.6 Turbo Petrol 6.3 litres per 100km 2.0 Turbo Petrol 8.6 litres per 100km 2.0 litre Turbo Diesel 6.3 litres per 100km
Other specifications
6 speed manual or 7 speeds Overall height/width 1675/1840 Overall length/wheelbase 4550/2700 4WD system: FWD or On demand AWD ANCAP Safety: 5/5	6 speed manual or 6 speed Auto Overall height/width 1701/1838 Overall length/wheelbase 4525/2690 4WD system: On demand AWD or 2WD ANCAP Safety: 5/5 Tyre size:
Capability
Angle of: (degrees) Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx Min ground clearance xxx mm Water Fording depth xxx mm	Angle of: (degrees) Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx Min ground clearance xxx mm Water Fording depth xxx mm
Performance
Pricing
2017 $28,690 – $49,990 AUD *Always check with the dealer for up to date pricing, specifications, on-road costs, accessories and specials etc.. everything as usual is subject to change!	2017 $28,490 – 47,490 AUD *Always check with the dealer for up to date pricing, specifications, on-road costs, accessories and specials etc.. everything as usual is subject to change!