Ford Kuga Titanium vs Mazda CX-5 GT

The $44,990 Titanium is the absolute top of the Ford Kuga range. The 2.0-litre turbo engine was upgraded in late 2014, along with some equipment updates. Standard fare includes self-parking technology, the tailgate can be opened with by swinging your foot under the rear bumper (if you have the sensor key in hand), as well as leather seats, sunroof, navigation, rear-view camera, the list goes on. Service intervals are 15,000km or 12 months, whichever is first. Cost over three years is $930 ($310 each), although the fourth year/60,000km service spikes to $510.

There are four models in the recently revised Mazda CX-5 range and the $43,390 GT is second from the top. Standard fare includes heated leather seats, sunroof, touch-screen navigation, rear-view camera, Bose audio, sensor key, the list goes on. Mazda's capped price servicing is 10,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Based on the national average distance travelled it equates to dealer visits every nine months. Servicing cost over three years on that basis is $1328.

The 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder is the most powerful in its class (178kW and 345Nm) and is shared with the Ford Focus ST hot hatch (although in a different state of tune). It has a lot of oomph from low revs and is supremely smooth and refined. There's just one catch: it's comparatively thirsty (8.8L/100km) and requires premium unleaded. Forecast fuel cost over three years is $2112 (using $1.60 per litre as the average cost).

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol is not the most powerful (138kW and 250Nm) or most refined in its class but it is one of the most efficient, and unlike some rivals requires only regular unleaded. With a rating label average consumption of 7.4L/100km the forecast fuel cost is $1665 over three years (using $1.50 per litre as the average cost).

The Kuga had adopted Ford's European design theme, which the company has now embraced globally. The spaceship-style dashboard won't be to everyone's taste but it's functional and there is ample oddment storage. The cabin is roomy and the cargo area is massive (406L seats up, 1603L seats down).

Mazda gave the CX-5 a minor freshen up at the start of the year, including a new grille mesh, new headlights and tail-lights. The interior trim also got a cleaner look. Cabin and cargo space are slightly smaller than the Ford Kuga but it's sill cavernous (403L seats up, 1560L seats down).

Seven airbags add up to a five star safety rating. The Kuga Titanium will automatically call 000 in a crash if the airbags are deployed and if a mobile phone is paired and within range. A rear-view camera is also standard. A worthwhile $1600 technology pack includes automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control, blind spot warning, and lane-keeping cameras.

Six airbags and a five star safety rating are part of the package, as are a rear-view camera, daytime running lights, and LED headlights that turn in the same direction as the steering for better visibility in corners. An optional safety pack (at $1060, a worthwhile addition) bundles automatic emergency braking (front and rear), blind zone monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.

The Ford Kuga Titanium may look like a luxurious compact SUV but it hides hot hatch performance. The turbo engine is a joy, always ready to move even with the slightest press of the accelerator. Ford has also done an incredibly good job at soaking up bumps despite riding on low-profile tyres on 19-inch wheels.

The Mazda CX-5 GT feels secure on the road and the steering is precise, although the suspension is a little firmer over bumps than the more affordable CX-5 models. This is most likely due to the low-profile tyres on 19-inch wheels. The CX-5 can tow more than the Kuga (1800kg versus 1500kg) despite having a less powerful engine.