Ford Ecosport vs Mazda CX-5
What's the difference?

Ford Ecosport

$14,460 - $16,894

2019 price

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Mazda CX-5

$37,240 - $56,150

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Summary

2019 Ford Ecosport

2026 Mazda CX-5

By Tom White

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 3, 1.5L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

7.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Cheap
Great multimedia
Practical boot

Comfortable, dynamic drive
Practical family interior
Strong safety package

Dislikes

No active safety
Nasty cabin materials
No auto headlights

No hybrid option
Engine can feel sluggish
No rear charging ports

2019 Ford Ecosport Summary

We live in a strange time, where cars are going the way of the dinosaur and SUVs will take their place as the primary offerings of the worlds oldest and biggest car companies.

Look at Ford, the brand that literally wrote the book on automotive mass-production will soon no longer sell cars in its home market of America (apart from the Mustang, of course…) There’s a story your grandpa won’t believe.

It makes SUVs, especially small ones like the EcoSport all the more important. Customers who once would have considered the Fiesta small hatch (on which the EcoSport is based) would now rather hop into one of these. At least, that’s what the data says.

So, is the EcoSport a worthy successor to the hatchback mantle? Is it even economical or sporty? And what happened to the spare wheel on the rear door? Read on to find out.

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2026 Mazda CX-5 Summary

The new-generation Mazda CX-5 is here, promising to be bigger, better and bolder, with fresh styling, sharper handling and more technology. But in a market where hybrid power is becoming increasingly hard to ignore, has Mazda left the CX-5 at a disadvantage? I’ve spent a week with the Evolve grade to find out for you.

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Interested in a Mazda CX-5?

Deep dive comparison

2019 Ford Ecosport 2026 Mazda CX-5

Verdict

So, should you buy a base-model Ford EcoSport Ambiente?

For the money it’s a great little daily commuter with an odd mix of dated trim and a great multimedia, but it’s definitely worth making room in your budget to investigate the Trend or Titanium grades.

Plus, it’s worth keeping in mind that many competitors now offer more comprehensive safety or more powerful drivetrains for not much more money.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-5 Evolve kicks some goals and with its comfortable on-road handling, robust safety equipment and practical interior, it’s still a solid choice for families looking for a mid-sized SUV. The only thing it’s missing is a hybrid powertrain, which would make this already well-rounded package even more compelling.

Ford Ecosport vs Mazda CX-5 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Ford Ecosport vs Mazda CX-5
What's the difference?