The 2020 Mazda CX-30 sits between the smaller CX-3 and the larger CX-5. This subcompact SUV pleases buyers at the Mazda dealer near Tempe, thanks to its upscale interior replete with high-quality materials. Drivers appreciate the CX-30’s refined ride that stays smooth even when driving over bumps in the road. Exceptional handling allows the CX-30 to carve curves with ease and provides the driver with excellent road feel.
Some buyers considering the 2020 Mazda CX-30 may also be looking at the 2020 Ford Escape. How does the Escape stand up against the CX-30? Read on as we discover which model is the best buy.
Price
Most consumers must consider a vehicle’s price before making a buying decision. Those who choose the 2020 Mazda CX-30 will save money compared with those who decide on the 2020 Ford Escape. The CX-30’s Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $21,000. The Escape has an MSRP of $24,885, a difference of nearly $4,000. Note that the MSRP isn’t the actual price you can expect to pay at a dealership like the Mazda dealer serving Tempe. We use this figure to compare the relative price of these two SUVs.
Performance
The 2020 Mazda CX-30 has a more powerful standard engine than the 2020 Ford Escape. The CX-30 is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s good for 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The Escape’s standard 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine only develops 180 hp and 177 lb-ft.
Handling
It’s no-contest when it comes to handling; the CX-30 wins easily in this category. The Mazda CX-30 provides what is perhaps the best handling in its class. The CX-30’s standard G-Vectoring Control Plus provides a smooth ride. Off-roaders can use the Off-Road Traction Assist control button to optimize torque distribution and traction control to help negotiate challenging terrain.
The Ford Escape doesn’t rate highly for its handling. Edmunds wrote that the Escape’s handling was disappointing, and pointed out that the vehicle has considerable roll and a ponderous feel when it takes turns.
Exterior Styling
The Mazda CX-30’s beautiful styling is informed by Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy. The CX-30 features clean styling, with an arresting profile and subtle curves and lines. The Ford Escape’s generic styling won’t set many hearts aflutter.
Features
Driving on dark roads can be challenging. CX-30 drivers appreciate the Premium trim’s standard adaptive headlights. This feature lets drivers see farther when driving on curvy roads by automatically monitoring the steering wheel's angle and the vehicle’s speed. You can’t get adaptive headlights in the Ford Escape.
The CX-30 features standard rain-sensitive wipers that detect the amount of rain falling on the windshield and adjust the wipers’ speed accordingly. It will also automatically turn the wipers on and off. While the Escape’s intermittent wipers are capable of changing speed based on the vehicle’s speed, they can’t turn on and off automatically, and they won’t change speed based on the amount of rain.
The CX-30 has an optional wireless charging system that lets the vehicle’s occupants charge their device without fussing with a tangle of cords. You can’t get a wireless charging system in the Escape.
In the End
The 2020 Ford Escape is a nice SUV, but at the end of the day, it’s outclassed by the 2020 Mazda CX-30. The CX-30 is a better value, has a more powerful standard engine, handles better, has more curb appeal and has unique features.