The 2021 Honda CR-V Just Outranked the Mazda CX-5
In a wild turn of events, the 2021 Honda CR-V just pulled past the 2021 Mazda CX-5. It’s also beating the 2021 Toyota RAV4, for that matter. So, let’s dig in and see what the Honda CR-V is doing to race ahead of the competition.
2021 Honda CR-V vs. 2021 Mazda CX-5
According to U.S.News, the 2021 Honda CR-V is the best compact SUV you can buy right now. It came in first place on their list that includes 16 options. They ranked the 2021 Mazda CX-5 in 2nd place, while the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is down in 6th place.
Their team ranked the Honda CR-V so highly because of its spacious rear seat, excellent fuel economy, upscale cabin, and quick acceleration. It’s also in 1st place despite having no major changes for 2021.
The Mazda CX-5 ranked highly for its sporty handling, turbocharged engine option, an upscale interior, and a long list of standard features. Plus, it got some epic updates for 2021, but they weren’t enough to take the crown.
How do the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 compare?
The Honda CR-V has an MSRP of around $25,350, and the Mazda CX-5 begins around $25,270. So, depending on dealership markups, both of these SUVs are competitively priced against rivals.
With the CR-V, you can get an EPA estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The CX-5 managed to get an EPA estimated 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, so it’s a little behind.
The base engine for the CR-V is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder option that pumps out 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 1,500 lb, which is less than rivals. Plus, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds.
The Mazda CX-5 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the turbocharged engine for 227 hp. It can tow up to 2,000 lb and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds with the base engine.
With the 2021 Honda CR-V, all-wheel drive is available for each trim level. But with the Mazda CX-5, AWD is only available on a few trim models. So, consider that if you need to drive through snow and other slippery conditions.
Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 features
There are 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat of the Honda CR-V, with up to 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space total. You’ll find 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind with up to 59.6 cubic feet total in the Mazda CX-5.
The Honda CR-V comes with a 5-inch infotainment center that can connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Mazda CX-5 can do the same with its new 10.3-inch touchscreen.
Both options come with standard lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. Plus, both SUVs provide a smooth and quiet ride. It seems like the base model Honda CR-V has more to offer in every area but tech. You can also spend more to make the Mazda-CX-5 much sportier too.
