Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Mazda CX-5
Overview
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active | 2.5 S |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,350 | $29,990 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $3,898 | $200 (best) |
| Median listing price | $22,876 (best) | $34,889 |
| Highest listing price | $43,129 | $43,044 (best) |
| For sale now | 131 | 322 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 25 MPG |
| City MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal | 15.3 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 187 hp (best) |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft (best) | 186 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 65.4 cu ft | 66.5 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs (best) | 1,500 lbs |
| Curb weight | 3,273 lbs (best) | 3,856 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in | 110.8 in (best) |
| Length | 180.1 in | 184.6 in (best) |
| Width | 74.1 in (best) | 73.2 in |
| Height | 66 in | 66.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Mazda CX-52.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 2 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Escape | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) | 2.5 S $29,990 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active $31,750 MSRP | 2.5 S Select $31,990 MSRP |
| 3 | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP | 2.5 S Preferred $34,250 MSRP |
| 4 | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP | 2.5 S Premium $36,900 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP | 2.5 S Premium Plus $38,990 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line Select $35,015 MSRP | — |
| 7 | Plug-In Hybrid $35,400 MSRP | — |
| 8 | Platinum $36,215 MSRP | — |
| 9 | ST-Line Elite $37,210 MSRP | — |
| 10 | Platinum $37,940 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST-Line Elite $38,935 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Escape131 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Escape
Active
Oxford White23,908 mi$22,900Countryside Pre-Owned
Jackson, GA
Certified2019 Ford Escape
Titanium
Black Metallic•Medium Light Stone66,585 mi$18,684Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2025 Ford Escape
ST-Line Select
Carbonized Gray•Ebony w/Red Stitching33,072 mi$22,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2019 Ford Escape
Titanium
Magnetic•Charcoal Black62,011 mi$15,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2017 Ford Escape
SE
Ruby Red Metallic•Black51,722 mi$13,650Whitewater Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
St Charles, MN
Used2023 Ford Escape
Platinum
Black Metallic•Space Gray19,185 mi$25,481Smythe Volvo Cars
Summit, NJ
Mazda CX-5322 for sale
See all
Certified2024 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray Metallic•Black39,043 mi$30,937Beaver Mazda of Cumming
Cumming, GA
Used2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray•red26,506 mi$27,466Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Certified2024 Mazda CX-5
2.5 Turbo Premium
Red•Black24,155 mi$28,990Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Used2022 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium Package
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•Black72,641 mi$21,497Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Certified2025 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray Metallic•Black32,604 mi$27,807Classic Mazda Westside
Cleveland, OH
New2026 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Preferred
Machine Gray Metallic•Black Leatherette3 mi$35,739Westshore Mazda Tampa
Tampa, FL
Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5 FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Mazda CX-5 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 starts lower at $29,990. Live Ford Escape listings start at $3,898. Live Mazda CX-5 listings start at $200.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-5 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,990).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on horsepower in this comparison (250).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Mazda CX-5?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall).