![]() ![]() The system uses a large 10.25-inch screen but this welcome upgrade is hobbled by the control wheel/knob mechanism used to control it. ![]() We also liked the sounds that emanate from the optional Bose audio system, and second-row passengers have a decent amount of room to stretch out and relax.Īs mentioned, amid all of this attention to detail, there’s one key thing that the Mazda has going against it, and that’s the infotainment technology, with the system being the key Achilles heel in the interior. The fit and finishes here are superb, with Mazda stylists doing a good job of mixing different high-end materials, including the real rosewood accents. The dashboard design is very reminiscent of what we have seen in recent German luxury sedans. Mazda stylists were clearly trying to punch above their weight class here, and it shows when you sit in the leather seats, and you have a chance to look around. This disregard for interior quality is inexcusable, considering that many of its rivals are putting a much greater emphasis on making the interior a much more prominent part of the ownership experience.Īs for the Mazda, it suffers from a different sort of ailment, but thankfully it does not involve the interior design. ![]() Look around the Escape, and the omissions are painfully obvious with the cheap-looking door cards and plastics spoiling the near-luxury experience. So, where did it all go wrong for the Ford? The answer is in material quality, with the Escape giving up way too much ground to the Mazda (and other rivals) in this regard. The leather-trimmed seats are also comfortable on long hauls as well, while the B&O premium audio system helps raise the quality of the sound experience somewhat. That’s not to say that the Escape put up a good effort with Ford designers doing a good job using a more design-focused dashboard with plenty of curves and even a splash of grained faux wood trim. Unlike the hotly contested battle of exterior aesthetics, the winner here was much clearer, with the Escape getting trounced by the Mazda. With the war of exterior styling being narrowly won by the CX-5, we ventured inside both models to get a better sense of what it’s like to spend time inside both of them. The War Of Interiors Decided By Materials, Technology It also helps too that a bigger 10.3-inch infotainment screen and some minor revisions enhance the CX-5’s luster for 2021. Mazda has said in the mast that it wants to rewrite the way consumers perceive its SUVs, and based on what we have seen, we think that the CX-5 is doing a good job of doing just that. Unlike the Escape, the rear of the Mazda is much more athletic-looking, and it does a far better job of drawing attention to itself, especially with its dual exhaust tips. Signature models up the chrome content, but the look still looks delightfully understated. The front fascia follows the core design elements that we have seen in other Mazda offerings, with the grille being nicely complemented by sleek-looking headlights. The grey hue of our tester might have given it more of a stealthy vibe, but the secret lies in some of its subtler magic. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature, on the other hand, is a very prominent example of how executing the finer details can make a far bigger impact when all things are considered. All 2021 models benefit from minor tweaks as well as three new packages that add more equipment and features to a properly equipped Escape. The taillights are an improvement over the old model, but they don’t draw the eye the way some other utility models do. With all the personality that the Escape comes with, it’s a real shame that the back end has the personality of Lurch from The Addams Family. But while the front and the sides of the 2021 Escape Titanium help create a good first impression, things rapidly fall apart when you get to the rear of the utility. The side profile also channels this active spirit, and Titanium models stand out by offering more chrome accents and bigger wheels. There’s a strong Porsche flavor to it, with the front grille and the headlights channeling more aggression and personality into the Escape. The 2021 Escape, on the other hand, channels much of its inspiration from Ford’s European models, and it clearly shows in the front-end styling. The last generation Escape was never known for being handsome and preferred to go through life banking on its functionality. The Escape centers on being the expressive one of the duo, especially when you look at some of its lines. Our first round of testing centers around the exterior styling of both contenders, and it’s very apparent that the two go through the motions in several different ways. ![]()
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