Compact SUVs are now among the most popular type of vehicles Americans buy. Manufacturers have rolled out dozens of options in the class. They’re not all alike. Some are luxurious, and some are affordable. Some are rugged off-roaders, and some are comfortable commute cruisers.
Two of the more intriguing options are the stylish new Mazda CX-50 and the well-known, versatile Ford Escape.
Let’s see how they compare.
2023 Mazda CX-50
Mazda
MZDAY,
has retooled its SUV lineup this year. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 has the great handling and sporty character Mazda vehicles are known for but adds a dose of adventure with some traits built for the trail. Pricing starts at $27,550.
Mazda CX-50 highlights
Standard all-wheel-drive: These two SUVs are priced similarly, but that price is a bit of an illusion. Every CX-50 comes equipped with all-wheel drive. It’s baked into the base price. Ford
F,
makes it standard on higher trim levels but charges $1,500 to add it to most trim levels. If you’re shopping for an SUV because you want the added security of all that grip, only Mazda includes it in the base price.
Trail-ready features: The CX-50 isn’t the most dedicated off-roader in the compact SUV class. But even base models include some trail-ready features like scratch-resistant body cladding on the fenders and an off-road driving mode in the MI-Drive intelligent drive control system. Select the Meridian edition, though, if you’re shopping for a genuine off-roader. Its all-terrain tires make a big difference on loose terrain.
See: Mazda gets all burly and outdoorsy with its rugged new CX-50
That Mazda fun-to-drive character: Mazda may have planned for sand and gravel when designing the CX-50. But designers didn’t lose the trait Mazda is best known for. The CX-50 is one of the better-handling small SUVs on a dry road, making your commute and daily errand runs a bit more entertaining.
2023 Ford Escape
The 2023 Ford Escape
Ford
Ford has been in the SUV game a long time – the first Mazda SUVs were rebadged Fords. Ford’s small SUV, the 2023 Ford Escape, is the product of generations of lessons on how to build a vehicle that can meet almost every need. A refresh for the 2023 model year makes the new Escape better-looking inside and out, with updated cabin tech. Prices start at $27,500.
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Ford Escape highlights
Better fuel economy in the city and on the highway: Americans are accustomed to 4-cylinder engines in our affordable cars. Ford is pushing against our expectations a bit with a standard turbocharged 3-cylinder engine in the Escape. Our test driver found its performance “so-so,” and preferred the upgraded 250-horsepower turbo-4 Ford will sell you for a higher price. But if you care more about saving at the pump than speedier acceleration, the Escape’s unusual base engine will cost you less over time.
More space for passengers and cargo: The Escape has more head-, leg-, and shoulder room in each row of seating than the CX-50. Its rear seats even slide to add more legroom – a rarity in this class. And it wins the cargo space comparison by a considerable margin.
Available hybrid options: If your budget can stretch a bit, Ford has two hybrid Escapes to offer you. The conventional hybrid gets up to 37 mpg and offers 200 total horsepower. The plug-in hybrid has 221 horses and can travel up to 37 miles on battery power alone. It’s like owning two cars – an electric vehicle for use around town and a gas-powered one so you don’t have to worry about range on longer trips.
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Similarities
These two carry almost the same base price. Their base engines put out similar power, and their more powerful engine options do, too. With one a brand new design and one a recently upgraded design, their feature lists are pretty close to one another.
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Conclusion
You’d probably enjoy your daily driving tasks in either the 2023 Mazda CX-50 or the 2023 Ford Escape. Their spec sheets read like they’re fraternal twins, and their base prices are a couple of pizza orders apart. But the Mazda is a better trail runner out of the box, while Ford requires you to pay to add all-wheel-drive. The Escape, meanwhile, offers powertrain options the CX-50 doesn’t, including a plug-in hybrid option that frees you from gas prices for your daily driving but still lets you take a road trip without worrying about chargers.
Which set of traits appeals to you?
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Specs
| 2023 Mazda CX-50 | 2022 Ford Escape | |
| Starting Price | $27,550 | $27,500 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 181 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 190 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 24 city/30 highway/27 combined mpg | 28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder; AWD; hybrid; plug-in hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | TBD | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 106.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.8 inches | 180.1 inches |
| Width | 80.8 inches | 74.1 inches |
| Height | 63.5 inches | 66.0 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 38.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.1 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.6 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.8 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.9 inches | 57.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.6 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 31.4/56.3 cubic feet | 37.5/65.4 cubic feet |
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
