2024 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2024 Ford Bronco Sport Comparability

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 and Ford Bronco Sport are small 2-row SUVs which might be massive on worth and persona. The CX-5 has a surprisingly athletic driving demeanor and one of many classier cabins on this car phase. 

The Bronco Sport’s retro-inspired design is good for accommodating tall passengers or loading up with plenty of cargo. Each come commonplace with all-wheel drive and have beginning costs hovering round $30,000.

How do they fare in head-to-head comparability? Let’s discover out by exploring the highlights of the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Bronco Sport.

2024 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is obtainable in eight trims: S Choose, S Most popular, S Carbon Version, S Premium, S Premium Plus, Carbon Turbo, Turbo Premium, and Turbo Signature. Pricing begins at $30,720, together with vacation spot cost. The usual engine is a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with a 6-speed computerized transmission and all-wheel drive. 

Increased trims – these with “Turbo” of their identify – are motivated by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 227 hp. This jumps to 256 hp when the CX-5 is operating on premium-grade gasoline. Updates to the 2024 Mazda CX-5 embody the addition of the Carbon Turbo trim.

Mazda CX-5 Highlights 

All-wheel drive: Mazda just lately determined that all-wheel drive can be commonplace on all of its SUVs. This added grip is nice when roads are slippery. It additionally provides to the CX-5’s general driving enjoyment, significantly its sharp and playful steering.

Upscale inside: The cabin of the Mazda CX-5 appears and feels prefer it might belong to a car costing 1000’s of {dollars} extra. Commonplace options embody a ten.25-inch infotainment display screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, artificial leather-based upholstery, heated entrance seats, dual-zone local weather management, and power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Sporty driving manners: The Mazda CX-5 is a type of uncommon SUVs that’s actually a delight to drive. Sharp steering and a terrific suspension make this Mazda straightforward to put precisely the place you need it. That is best for dicing with metropolis site visitors or cruising alongside a decent and twisty again highway. 

Reclining rear seats: This can be a good perk for rear passengers. You don’t all the time anticipate finding reclining rear seats in a compact SUV, however they’re commonplace on the CX-5.

Examine this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the CX-5 fashions close to you.

2024 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport is obtainable in 5 trims: Huge Bend, Heritage, Free Wheeling, Outer Banks, and Badlands. Pricing begins at $31,390, together with vacation spot payment. The entry-level powertrain is a 181-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine coupled to an 8-speed computerized transmission and all-wheel drive. A 250-hp turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder comes with the off-road-themed Badlands variant. 

Much like the Mazda CX-5, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport rolls into one other mannequin 12 months with solely a few modifications. A throwback-inspired trim known as the Free Wheeling has been added. It’s a beauty variant that comes with crimson/orange/yellow stripes and alloy wheels with crimson highlights. 

Ford Bronco Sport Highlights

Badlands mannequin: The Badlands sits atop the Bronco Sport lineup and will get the extra highly effective turbo 4-cylinder engine. It additionally comes with go-anywhere options like entrance tow hooks, underbody skid plates, a stronger suspension setup, off-road tires, and a front-facing digicam. 

Bronco gear: Ford ensures there are many methods to customise a Bronco Sport for all the things from hauling bikes to touring with four-legged pals. Extras embody heavy-duty roof racks, mud flaps, inside bike mounts, and a collapsible kennel. 

Retro design: We’re followers of the throwback aesthetic of the Bronco Sport. It’s not as rough-and-tumble as its massive brother, the Bronco, granted. But the squared-off form units it other than many rival SUVs. For these feeling particularly nostalgic, the Heritage variant comes with a white roof, white grille, and white-painted metal wheels that every one draw inspiration from the unique 1966 Bronco.

Examine this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Bronco Sport fashions close to you.

Similarities

The Mazda CX-5 and Ford Bronco Sport have comparable value tags, outgoing personalities, and commonplace all-wheel drive. They’re notable for being sensible, and every has an extended roster of tech options and driver aids, reminiscent of computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Conclusion

The Mazda CX-5 and Ford Bronco Sport are sensible decisions for anybody on the lookout for a compact SUV that doesn’t fade into the background. Of the 2, the CX-5 has sharper driving dynamics and a extra premium-looking cabin. Downsides embody its quirkier infotainment system — it’s solely a touchscreen when utilizing smartphone connectivity — and subpar cargo capability.

The Ford Bronco Sport tugs at SUV heartstrings with its old-school exterior design and retro-inspired trims just like the Free Wheeling and Heritage fashions. It holds a slight edge by way of cargo quantity, too. Take into account, we’ve discovered its experience is notably firmer than what you get within the Mazda CX-5, to not point out various different compact or subcompact SUVs.    

The Mazda CX-5 scores the win right here if steering agility and inside ambiance are prime priorities. The Ford Bronco Sport comes out forward for individuals who favor off-road adeptness and a extra extroverted perspective.