Mazda CX-5 VS Ford Everest
Mazda CX-5
Likes
- Pleasant and accessible cabin
- Good power and handling
- Well equipped
Dislikes
- Feels compact inside
- Individual storage on the thin side
- Thirsty engine
Ford Everest
Likes
- Off-road suspension upgrade
- Nice on-road manners
- Spacious boot
Dislikes
- No 2.0-litre option
- Tight third row
- Out-dated safety rating
Summary
Mazda CX-5
This week I’m family testing the new Mazda CX-5 Akera G35 and the top-grade model is well-equipped. But it faces stiff competition in the mid-sized SUV market with rivals like the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and the ever-popular Toyota RAV4.
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How do you remain competitive in one of the most popular SUV classes? My family of three is finding out for you!
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.5L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.2L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Ford Everest
Ford knows it’s in for a tough fight in 2025. The Blue Oval brand is facing the twin challenges of new ute rivals to compete against its best-selling Ranger, and the arrival of the all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado to give the Everest a hard time.
But Ford isn’t backing down. In fact, it has launched this all-new Everest Tremor to take the fight directly to the new Prado.
Designed to sit above the Sport, and effectively alongside the Platinum as the ‘off-road hero model’ of the range, the Tremor is a full-time member of the Everest line-up; as opposed to the limited edition Ranger Tremor.
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So, does this new member of the Everest line-up offer something different? Or is it just a case of a few minor mods to attract attention away from Toyota? Read on to find out…
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 3.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.5L/100km |
| Seating | 7 seats |
Verdict
Mazda CX-57.6/10
The Mazda CX-5 Akera G35 offers small families a great host of premium features, as well as solid power and handling – all in an attractive package. But the emphasis here is on ‘small’ families because it’s on the compact side for a mid-sized SUV and its rivals offer more back seat space.
Its ongoing costs are reasonable and I enjoy driving it, so it gets a 7.6/10 from me.
My son calls out the back seat as a bit squishy but he otherwise likes it. He gives it a 7.0/10
Ford Everest7.7/10
To answer the question we posed at the beginning, the Everest Tremor is very much a worthy addition to the range, but it succeeds in being an attention-grabber too. While the new Prado will certainly garner plenty of would-be buyers, and Ford will do well to keep its #1 spot in the large SUV sales race in 2025, the Everest Tremor keeps the Blue Oval in contention.
It succeeds by expanding the breadth of the Everest line-up, its more serious off-road elements - new suspension, bash plates, etc - elevate it beyond what the Sport and Trend can offer buyers. So it creates an opportunity to find new buyers to attract to the Ford showroom and draw at least some attention away from the Prado.
Design
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 hasn’t seen much change to the exterior other than a more horizontally-styled grille. It’s a medium SUV with a handsome kerb-side presence thanks to its full-suite of LED lights and 19-inch alloy wheels. It’s an inoffensive design that should appeal to a wide audience.
The interior looks premium with the brown Nappa leather upholstery and black leather trims. The plethora of soft-touchpoints throughout reinforces that the Akera is the top model.
There's one thing I really like about Mazda and that's how it manages to balance the traditional with the new. The cabin is a seamless blend of the two elements.
The instrument panel features a 7.0-inch digital display but still has analogue dials. There's a 10.25-inch multimedia system on the dash but still a bunch of control buttons and dials to press. The gear shifter is coupled with an electric brake, the sunroof is coupled with a manual blind. You get it.
This duology between high-end tech and traditional elements makes the interior feel up to date but very accessible.
Ford Everest
Ford wanted to make sure the Tremor stood out from the Platinum, Sport and Trend models, with a tougher, more purposeful look. So they made a number of small but significant design changes.
For starters, the new suspension, wheel and tyre combination adds 29mm of ride height, so it sits taller. The Tremor also gets a unique front end, with what Ford calls an ‘off-road grille’, that includes integrated auxiliary lights into each side.
The 17-inch alloys are unique to the Tremor, too, which further differentiates the looks. There’s also unique ‘Tremor’ badging in orange and black Ford badging at the rear.
But it isn’t just about style, there’s genuine functionality to the design, with the steel bash plate underneath and recovery hooks to get you out of trouble if you need it (or help someone else out).
The Tremor is only available in four colours, and notably only 'Arctic White' is included in the price, with 'Shadow Black', 'Meteor Grey' and the unique-to-Tremor 'Command Grey' adding $700 to the price.
Inside there’s unique Tremor seats, with 'Medium Dark Grey Urban' stitching and 'Precision Grey' inserts, plus all-weather floor mats. They’re subtle elements, but they do really make the Tremor feel unique in the Everest line-up.
Practicality
Mazda CX-5
Despite sitting in the medium-SUV segment, the CX-5 is on the compact side for cabin space and front passengers benefit the most in terms of leg- and headroom.
Back rowers get a decent amount of headroom but legroom is squishy and my legs press into the back of the drivers seat when its in my driving position, and I'm only 168cm tall!
My seven-year old complained about his space and asked Dad to slide forward for more room, which is something to consider if you have gangly teenagers.
The seat comfort sits on the firmer side for both rows and the electric front seats are narrower and shorter than I like for long journeys but for the A to B trips, they’re comfy enough.
Only the driver’s seat gets powered lumbar support but they both have heat and ventilation functions.
Individual storage is average for this class with a smallish glove box and middle console that has a removable shelf. A deep utility tray, which houses the wireless charging pad and a 12-volt port, sits in front of the gearshift and there are two cupholders in the centre console.
Each door has a shallow storage bin and the front doors also get a skinny drink bottle holder.
For individual storage in the rear, you get map pockets on the rear of the front seats and two cupholders in a fold-down armrest.
The armrest also houses two USB-A ports and the heat function buttons for the outboard seats and it's because of this positioning and the narrower width of the seat, that the back row feels more suited to two, rather than three passengers.
The technology on the whole is easy enough to use but the rotary dial operation of the multimedia system is a bit annoying to access while on the go.
The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a great feature and means one less cable to worry about but the built-in satellite navigation with 10-year map updates is a highlight. The head-up display pulls through the nav directions, too, which is always handy.
You also get two USB-C ports and another 12-volt outlet up front, so everyone should be sorted for charging.
The boot features a powered tailgate which is a handy family feature and a temporary spare tyre is located underneath the level floor.
You get 438L of storage capacity with the second row seat upright, which is plenty for my errands and grocery shop. That jumps up to 1340L (VDA) when the rear seats are folded.Â
The cargo cover attaches to the lid, meaning it stays out of the way when you're loading stuff into the boot.
Ford Everest
Obviously there’s no change to the space inside the Tremor compared to the rest of the Everest range, so it is still a spacious seven-seat SUV. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a major development when it comes to the space offered by Ford in its large SUV.
Namely, the launch of the new Prado and the revelation that the new hybrid system compromises the packaging in the rear of the seven-seat models, meaning the third-row seats can’t fold down into the floor and a raised riser drawer has been added.
While Toyota claims the Prado has 906L of space with the third row folded down, that’s a statistical advantage only due to the nature of the packaging.
By contrast, the Everest doesn’t have a draw and instead it’s a flat, deep floor with the third row folded down flush with the floor.
So while the Everest boot measures 898L, in practical, real-world terms the Ford is better and more usable.Â
As a kicker, with the third-row seats up, the Everest claims 259L compared to the Prado’s 182L, so all around the Everest is a more practical choice for those who need to carry a lot.
As for the rest of the interior, the new seats look good and offer nice space and support up front, while the second row is good for a couple of adults or three smaller kids and the third row is what you’d expect in an SUV - tight but usable for shorter trips.
The multimedia system is unchanged, too, so it’s the same easy to use 'Ford SYNC' set-up with a tablet-style touchscreen.
One notable new feature for the Tremor is a 400W inverter with a household outlet in the second row, which is handy for road trips or camping.
Price and features
Mazda CX-5
There are five grades for the CX-5. The top two grades, the GT SP and Akera, have a choice between a 2.5-litre petrol or turbo-petrol engine.
On test here is the flagship Akera grade with the 2.5L turbo-petrol engine. Before on-road costs, it is priced at $55,000. That positions it towards the top-end of its competitors with the Kia Sportage GT-Line AWD coming in at $49,920 (MSRP) and the Toyota RAV4 sliding in just under at $54,410 (MSRP). However, the new Honda CR-V is more expensive by $2.0K.
The Akera is well-equipped with premium features like a sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel and brown Nappa leather upholstery.
The technology is well-rounded with a 10-speaker Bose sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 10.25-inch multimedia system with built-in satellite navigation (including map updates for 10 years).
There are some good practical features, too, like a powered tailgate, keyless entry and start as well as powered lumbar support on the drivers' seat.
Ford Everest
The Everest Tremor is priced from $76,590 (plus on-road costs), making it just over $4500 cheaper than the Platinum but almost $2000 more expensive than the equivalent Sport.
That lines it up to compete against the Toyota Prado GXL ($79,990 + ORCs), GWM Tank 500 Hybrid Ultra ($73,990 drive-away) and the Isuzu MU-X ($74,400 + ORCs).
For that price, Ford has made some notable upgrades to enhance the Everest’s off-road ability, to give the Tremor more appeal to those who really enjoy off-road driving rather than just family buyers who want a seven-seater for the school run.
It starts with the standard 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine (unlike the 2.0-litre Ranger Tremor), along with a revised suspension package that includes Bilstein dampers and new springs, a steel bash plate as well as new General Grabber all-terrain tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels.
There are other design changes, too, but we’ll detail them in a moment in the section below.
Worth noting there are four option packs to choose from. The 'Rough Terrain Pack' costs $3500 and adds a Rough Terrain bar as well as extended underbody protection and an auxiliary switch bank.
The 'Premium Tremor Seat Pack' adds $1100 and brings a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, eight-way power adjustable front passenger seat as well as heated and ventilated front seats.
The $1900 'Towing Pack' adds a tow bar, integrated trailer brake controller and blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage.
Finally, the 'Touring Pack' costs $2500 and adds a 360-degree camera view, tow car, integrated trailer brake control and 'Pro Trailer Backup Assist'.
Under the bonnet
Mazda CX-5
The Akera is an all-wheel drive with a six-speed auto transmission and our test model has the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces a maximum power output of 170kW and 420Nm of torque. The turbo ensures it never feels sluggish, even when you’re hitting hills.
Ford Everest
The Everest Tremor is only offered with the 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, a complete reversal from the Ranger Tremor, which was only available with Ford’s 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel.
The V6 is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with Ford’s permanent 4WD system, which features a rear diff lock for more challenging off-road adventures.
Ford said it made this decision to provide Everest Tremor buyers with more grunt, befitting its place at the top of the range, and provide the full 3500kg towing capacity. Although, in this day-and-age, the extra choice would have been nice, as the 2.0-litre engine is an impressive unit for its size.
Efficiency
Mazda CX-5
The compromise for getting extra power from the turbo is fuel efficiency takes a hit.
The official combined fuel cycle figure is 8.2L/100km but my real-world usage came out at 10L/100km. That’s after mostly open-road driving this week, too, so it’s a bit thirstier than I was expecting.
Based on the combined cycle number and the 58L fuel tank, expect a driving range of around 784km – which is still great for the odd road trip.
Ford Everest
Ford claims the Everest Tremor uses 9.5L/100km of diesel, but thanks to our largely off-road first drive we couldn’t give that a real-world evaluation.
The Everest is fitted with an 80-litre fuel tank, which means a theoretical driving range of more than 840km, which is what you need for a serious off-road adventure.
Driving
Mazda CX-5
The Akera turbo-petrol delivers a decent well of power to dip into and it feels peppy in most situations. Even when you’re overtaking or getting up to speed you don’t feel like you’re nearing the bottom of the power barrel. Â
Steering is responsive and the car is agile when you tackle narrow car parks or streets. However, you still get some roll in corners which my passengers felt more than I did.
The cabin is quiet, even at higher speeds and the suspension is firm enough that you feel the bumps but you’re not jostled about. The ride comfort is still good.
I’ve said it before but I love parking medium SUVs because their size is so forgiving in a car park! The Akera is no different and it’s especially easy thanks to the ultra-clear 360-degree view camera system. You also get front and rear parking sensors to help out when needed.Â
Ford Everest
Given its off-road focus, Ford prioritised unsealed roads for our first experience with the Everest Tremor and we tackled some genuinely rugged terrain outside of Melbourne.
In addition to the new Bilstein suspension, new springs and new tyres, the Everest Tremor adds the 'Rock Crawl' mode to its array of seven drive modes.
It must be noted, though, that all the examples we drove on the launch were fitted with the Rough Terrain Pack, so had the extended underbody protection, which certainly helped at various times.
Having said that, the Everest Tremor acquitted itself with ease across a variety of terrain. In '4 Low' the Tremor was capable of navigating across rocks, through mud and water, and then through some extremely deep ruts.
In fact, the non-Tremor Everests Ford had on the launch were directed to avoid some of the obstacles as they would likely have struggled to conquer them. However, it must be said, that despite the extra ride height, the extended underbody protection was heavily relied on as we often found the belly of the Tremor scraping on the deeper ruts.
While Ford was keen to focus on its off-road capability, CarsGuide was able to spend an extended period driving the Tremor around Melbourne city and suburbs. Despite its size and off-road prowess, it has very nice on-road manners and felt comfortable and easy to live with in the urban environment.
Safety
Mazda CX-5
The Akera has a bunch of safety features that are always great to have on a family SUV and a standout is the 360-degree camera system. It’s super clear and well-positioned on the dashboard for easy viewing.
Standard safety items on the Akera include LED daytime running lights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, a driver fatigue monitor, AEB, forward collision warning and traffic sign recognition.
The previously awarded five-star ANCAP safety rating for this model has just expired and models built from January 2024 onwards are thus unrated. The CX-5 features six airbags, which is a little low for a family car but I like how many safety features this has overall.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear outboard seat positions and three top-tethers but two seats will fit best. Front occupant comfort is compromised when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed.
Ford Everest
In terms of safety equipment the Everest Tremor comes fitted with all the usual active elements you should expect, including 'Forward Collision Alert', 'Pre-collision Assist', lane keeping assist, cross-traffic alert and 'Reverse Brake Assist'.
Importantly, in case you can’t avoid an accident, the Everest is equipped with nine airbags, including full-length curtain airbags that extend to the third row.
As for its safety rating, ANCAP awarded the Everest a maximum five stars but did so based on the physical crash testing of the Ranger ute.
ANCAP accepted Ford technical information that demonstrates both models should, theoretically, provide the same crash performance despite the obvious differences.
However, it should also be noted that this five-star rating was awarded in 2022, prior to the latest crash testing protocols being introduced by ANCAP in 2023, so there is no clarity over how the Everest would perform to these more stringent standards; although that’s an ANCAP issue, not a Ford one.
But, just for the record, the new Prado has achieved five stars with the latest ANCAP ratings, but unless ANCAP re-tests the Everest, we can’t say with certainty how the two models compare, beyond saying they have the same ratings.
Ownership
Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is average cover for the class but some of its rivals offer longer terms.
There is a five-year, or up to 75,000km capped-price servicing program and services average $423 per workshop visit, which is competitive.
Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
Ford Everest
Ford is offering a ‘Pre-Paid Service Plan’ to cover the first five years or 75,000km worth of servicing across the Everest line-up (as well as Ranger).
This costs $1516, which averages out to just over $300 per year, but it’s worth noting that pre-paying locks in that price. Which is important, because Ford has been increasing the prices since it introduced this deal in 2022.