Comparison of CX-5 with Ford Escape

[Mdbernie]

I recently rented a Ford Escape for a trip from Wisconsin to DC, (6 States ; 15 hours) and was able to compare and contrast that vehicle with my wifes 14 CX-5 GT AWD 2.4. Overall, I think the Mazda wins on the strength of its superior driver position and handling, but I must admit some of the missing features (seat memory, lack of adjustable headrests, lack of lighted door controls) make it a closer call than it should be. Other posts here deal with the CX-5s sweet handling, so I have focused more on contrasting features.

The power of the 2.0 liter Ecoboost was comparable to the 2.4 liter CX-5, and quite adequate, however, I preferred the gas pedal feel in the Ford which is easier to press and less stiff than the CX-5. The Ford had leather seats but did not have the optional navigation to compare to the Mazda, but navigation is not one of the Mazdas strong points. The Ford did not have the optional kick switch on the rear hatch.

What I disliked about the Ford:
● Strong, persistent wind noise-- I could not identify the source. It was very annoying.
● The long hood/deep dashboard design--much worse over-hood visibility than the Mazda.
● Wiper controls--wiper speed increases as the lever moves up, rather than down as with most Japanese/Korean cars I have driven.

Questionable features of the Ford:
● Cheap, flimsy, ceiling mounted controls for lighting in the front passenger footwells which made the lights change colors. Neat, but I would have rather seen that expense applied to some more useful feature.
● The radio controls were kind of busy and complicated compared to the CX-5, but they were part of the Fords showy dash design which, I have to admit, grew on me the more I drove the car.

Where I thought the Ford absolutely beat the Mazda:
● Memory Seat, memory seat, memory seat.
● Lighted controls for all buttons including doorlocks!
● Larger screen display with more intuitive screen designs and better tech interface
● High quality, adjustable front headrests --tilted back and forth!
● Rear seat folding--while the Ford lacked Mazdas one touch folding levers in the rear hatch, the Fords rear headrests folded out of the way with a touch of a button, making folding the rear seats much more convenient, although it requires opening both rear doors.

I hope folks find this comparison useful, especially if they are deciding between the two vehicles.

 

[Kelme]

I wouldn’t go near a new Escape considering that it has been recall 3 different times due to potential engine fires and I believe it has been recall for a couple of other safety issues too.

 

[cthew0rld]

i like the escape. i think the 2.0l engine (turbo) is much peppier than the cx-5's, but it is pretty hilly where i live. the main turnoff for me is the escape's VERY shiny interior finishes. the huge sunroof is a big plus.

 

[Skorpio]

I used to work at a Ford dealership as the service manager. You think Mazda's HU has problems? Ford's Mysync is pretty to look at, when it works. Hundreds of cars came in due to complete system locking up on a daily basis. Several TSBs. Google it if you'd like. To Ford's credit, there were several updates which mandated several trips to our dealership which took many hours of updates. And 5 years later, Mysync still isn't perfect. Yes, CX-5s' USB is slow and outdated, but has never died completely like the Mysync system did. I can change many fallacies of my CX-5 (but not the memory seat option...yet), but I can NEVER fix the Ford's high cowl, bad driving position, and lack of sporty characteristics the CX-5 excels at(ZOOM ZOOM). And, the CX-5 is Hella more beautiful to look at and rarer on the roads. But, maybe I'm a little biased...

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I would only want the engine.

 

[socalcx-5]

Before I bought my CX-5 I remember being very tempted by the Ford on paper - tons of features and engine options for a very comparable price. Then I went on edmunds.com and started reading owner reviews of the Escape - yikes. Was a total non-starter for me, never even went for a test drive.

 

[CX-SV]

Good report, thanks.

I've driven Escape and 2.0L CX-5 back to back (but the Escape I drove was 1.6L), similar findings.

 

[piotrek91]

the thing that kept me from even looking at the escape was the absolutely terrible dual clutch transmission I experienced a rental focus I had.
Oops.. I guess the Escape has a standard automatic!

The car would lurch forward somewhat briskly as soon as the brake was released, and stop suddenly when it was slightly tapped. This made slowly creeping forward impossible. It made bumper to bumper traffic a true chore and resulted in burnt clutch smell after 15min on hwy 101.
In a standard automatic you can modulate the brake to achieve a good 1MPH creep as needed, and in a manual you simply shift to neutral once rolling.. but with the Ford dual clutch you end up bunny hopping your way forward.

 

[CX-SV]

the thing that kept me from even looking at the escape was the absolutely terrible dual clutch transmission I experienced a rental focus I had.

.

Escape does not have the dual clutch tranny you experienced in the Focus.

 

[piotrek91]

Escape does not have the dual clutch tranny you experienced in the Focus.

you're right! Thanks for setting me straight. All this time I was sure it did.
Like I said.. I didn't even look at the Escape!

 

[CC58]

Escape owners have complained the actual MPG are much lower than advertised MPG.
I test drove one and didn't like the lurch off idle and of course the notorious MyTouch computer.
Driving that in the winter would be a chore.

 

[craigo]

I had a '14 rental escape for a few days... noisy ride, bland handling. Sync is so glitchy Ford fired microsoft rather than try to salvage it. Although even the 'best' in-car systems are very mediocre... car manufacturers are still very hardware focused.

 

[speedbegone]

looked at it on the internet, but didn't like the looks inside and out.
Then I saw it in a ford dealership when looking at a fiesta ST for my wife, and its even worst in person... damn too busy dash.

 

[addabox]

I've never like the American manufacturer's tendency to make the center console a protruding, sharply defined wad of buttons and lights and vents, like you had a transformer head on there.

 

[chuyler1]

I too was tempted by the Ford. I needed 2,750lb towing capacity so I drove it. My wife has a Focus so I already knew about the Infotainment issues but I wanted to know if I'd enjoy driving it. Nope. I bought a CX-9 instead. Had the towing capacity, Mazda Zoom Zoom feel, but unfortunately poor gas mileage...but I've made use of the seating capacity and extra space numerous times already so it turned out to be a wise purchase. I think the CX5 would have ended up feeling a little small for me...but I might have taken the chance if there was a diesel option with 2,500+ towing capacity.

 

[jb's2014CX5]

3 friends had the Ford Escape's (company cars) they all said the same thing when I asked how they liked the car. They all said it was a piece of crap spent more time in getting service then any other cars they had, so I stayed with Mazda and got a cx-5 had it for 15 months now and I still love it

 

[mtvon2]

I drove a loaded Escape as well one with all the options. While I liked the many features like pana sunroof, larger navigation screen, power tailgate and self park, I could not justify the $7,000 difference from what I paid for the CX-5. The dash design is just strange too. I really wanted to love the Ford because I am a shareholder.

 

[Skorpio]

I really wanted to love the Ford because I am a shareholder.

That about sums it up in a nutshell. I worked for Ford, so I too was a little partial. But to me, overall the CX-5 is the better CUV in it's class.

 

[123373]

I had the opportunity to drive my mother in laws titanium edition Escape from NJ to Virginia last year and the thing that drove me nuts was having no place to rest your left foot without practically crossing it over your right one which made the ride very uncomfortable. The car overheated the engine and the brakes driving through the mountains. Seems like every few months she is receiving recall notices as well. She has the top of the line 2.0 turbo and it struggled to get out of its own way during the trip. In the looks department there is no contest as the Escape is very odd looking on the outside and the dash looks like a jig saw puzzle with all the mismatched seams. Good luck using regular gas as it pinged like crazy. Despite my one opinion they sell over 30k a month of these beast!

 

[Skorpio]

Despite my one opinion they sell over 30k a month of these beast!

The general public hardly ever buys the best bang for buck, whadda they know?! (No research, impulse buy, uncle had one, etc.)
I'd rather have it that way anyways, makes my ride even rarer. It sucked when I had my Civic, every other car was ONE! I wonder though, if the Ford Escape forums are trashing CX-5s?! "Those CX-5s really suck. It takes an hour to play my music from my iphone!" "No memory seats?! Haha eat that Mazda!" (lol2)