2013 Mazda CX-5 vs. Its Competition

John Voelcker

Mazda says the 2013 CX-5 will compete with the mainstays of the compact crossover category.

Those include the popular Ford Escape—entirely redesigned for 2013—and the new 2012 Honda CR-V.

We haven’t driven the Escape, so we can’t comment on its handling, but the most efficient of its three four-cylinder engines will likely go head-to-head with the CX-5 on fuel economy—and it offers a few unique features, including a hands-free power tailgate and the MyFordTouch voice and touch-screen control system.

The restyled CR-V has a new and nifty fold-down rear seat, and slightly higher gas mileage, but is no longer the front-runner it used to be—and the same applies to the Chevrolet Equinox, which may have the most stylish interior.

Some buyers may view the all-wheel drive Nissan Juke as a CX-5 competitor; while it handles well and has a very nice interior, it’s only a subcompact.

The unremarkable Nissan Rogue, a secondary player in the category, might be a more logical competitor.

Other entries in this large category include the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage, and the pricier Volkswagen Tiguan.

While the CX-5 is a strong competitor to all of these, Mazda admits that its challenge is simply to get on buyers’ radar for the category in the first place.