
The Mazda CX-5 squares off in the hyper-competitive, and crowded, small crossover field.
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are perennial leaders, and both offer more room, and quieter interiors—albeit not by much.
We're still impressed with the CR-V, which is all new this year too, but the RAV4 boasts a new hybrid powertrain that could sway green-minded buyers.
The Chevrolet Equinox will offer a diesel powertrain too, but like the CX-5, we'll have to wait until later this year to see that.
The Ford Escape and Subaru Forester both offer bigger outputs from their turbocharged engines, something we appreciate in a class that's full of boring-to-drive crossovers.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 takes a lot of small steps forward, but are any of them big enough changes to sway buyers? |
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is a needed step forward for the brand and a solid compact crossover. |
The 2017 Ford Escape foregoes a bit of utility in the name of style and sportiness, making it one of the better crossovers to drive. |
It's hard to imagine a compact crossover better aligned with the needs of most buyers than the 2017 Honda CR-V. |
One of the best small SUVs, the 2017 Subaru Forester is a good value, with remarkable interior volume, thrifty fuel economy, and top safety scores. |
There's a RAV4 for just about everyone, and while we applaud Toyota for adding more safety technology for 2017, the competition is worth a good look, too. |
MSRP From | |||||
$24,045 | $23,580 | $23,750 | $24,045 | $22,595 | $24,410 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
23 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Regular Unleaded I-4 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded H-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Small SUV 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD |
Style Name | |||||
Sport FWD | FWD 4-Door L w/1SM | S FWD | LX 2WD | 2.5i Manual | LE FWD (GS) |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Sport Utility | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
Transmission | |||||
Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2017 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2018 Chevrolet Equinox | 2017 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2017 Ford Escape | 2017 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2017 Honda CR-V | 2017 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2017 Subaru Forester | 2017 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2017 Toyota RAV4 |