3 Reasons the 2026 Escape Pulls Ahead of the Mazda CX-5
Shopping for a compact SUV in Ontario means this question comes up quickly: Ford Escape or Mazda CX-5? Both seat five and handle the daily commute without drama. The differences, though, are substantial, and they fall almost entirely in the Escape's favour once you look past the price stickers.
Escape vs. CX-5 at a Glance
| Feature | 2026 Ford Escape | 2026 Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg) | 1,500 lbs (680 kg) |
| Powertrain options | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid | Gas only |
| Peak output | 250 hp / 280 lb-ft | 187 hp / 186 lb-ft |
| Best combined fuel economy | 5.9 L/100km (hybrid) | 9.0 L/100km |
| Gas combined fuel economy | 8.0--9.1 L/100km | 9.0 L/100km |
| PHEV electric range | 60 km | Not available |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 949 L | 954 L |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 1,851.9 L | 1,882 L |
| Ground clearance | 190 mm | 204--209 mm |
The CX-5 holds about 30 L more cargo with seats folded and sits slightly higher off the ground. Those two points are where the CX-5's advantage ends.
Powertrain Choice and Fuel Efficiency
The CX-5 runs one engine in every trim: a 2.5L four-cylinder producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic. Fuel economy is 9.9 city / 7.9 highway / 9.0 combined L/100km, the same across GX, GS, and GT.
The Escape gives you a genuine choice. The base 1.5L three-cylinder turbo produces 180 hp and 155 lb-ft. Gas-powered Escape trims return combined ratings from 8.0 to 9.1 L/100km depending on configuration, so at the efficient end of that range you're already ahead of the CX-5's 9.0 L/100km combined. Step up to the Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid and the gap widens sharply: the PHEV achieves 5.9--6.0 L/100km combined, roughly a third better than any CX-5 trim.
The PHEV's 60 km of electric-only range is the headline number here. For an Ontario commuter whose daily loop stays under 60 km, most driving happens on electricity and pump visits become occasional, not routine. The CX-5 has no equivalent today. Mazda has announced a hybrid CX-5 for 2027; that vehicle is not yet on sale.
For drivers who want raw output rather than efficiency, the Escape's 2.0L four-cylinder delivers 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque: 63 hp and 94 lb-ft more than the CX-5 can produce from any trim.
Towing: Where the Gap Is Sharpest
The CX-5 is rated at 1,500 lbs (680 kg) of towing across all trims. That handles a small utility trailer or a light rowboat, but it is a hard ceiling with no upgrade path.
The Escape's maximum towing reaches 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg), more than double the CX-5's limit. A mid-sized travel trailer, a tandem personal watercraft on a trailer, a loaded cargo trailer for a move: these are realistic Escape tasks, not CX-5 territory. For anyone who plans to hitch even occasionally, this 2,000-lb gap in towing is a decision-ender.
Even the Escape's lower tow ratings at 2,000 lbs (907 kg) still exceed what the CX-5 can manage. The CX-5's ceiling is the Escape's floor.
Interior, Technology, and Everyday Fit
Both SUVs seat five comfortably. The CX-5 runs dual-zone climate control across all trims, a 12.9-inch touchscreen on GX and GS trims, and a 15.6-inch display on the GT Premium Package. The 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster is standard on every CX-5. Google Assistant is built in.
On AWD availability, one thing worth noting: the CX-5 comes standard with AWD on every trim. The Escape's entry Active trim is FWD, while the ST-Line Select and higher configurations offer AWD. If AWD is a must-have from the base trim, factor that into your trim selection on the Escape side.
Cargo space is effectively even. The CX-5's 1,882 L folded and 954 L behind the rear seats edge the Escape's 1,851.9 L and 949 L by a margin too small to feel in real use. What the Escape adds is the ability to haul what won't fit inside at all, on a hitch, at a capacity the CX-5 cannot approach.
Which One Is Right for You?
If towing anything over 1,500 lbs (680 kg) is on your list, the CX-5 is out and the Escape is your vehicle. That is not a preference call; it is a specifications call.
If fuel costs matter, the Escape Hybrid and PHEV operate in a different efficiency category than any single-engine CX-5. The PHEV's 60 km electric range is particularly well-matched to the way most Ontario commuters actually drive.
If you want straightforward gas-powered AWD, the CX-5 is competent and the ground clearance advantage (209 mm on GS and GT versus the Escape's 190 mm) is real for drivers who regularly deal with rough surfaces. The Escape counters with more output, better economy in most configurations, and a towing capacity that handles the kinds of weekend loads Ontario families accumulate.
For drivers who want a compact SUV with room to grow, whether into a trailer, a hybrid powertrain, or simply more output when the highway demands it, the Escape covers the ground the CX-5 cannot.
The Right Ford for Ontario Roads
The 2026 Ford Escape brings powertrain flexibility, towing capacity up to 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg), and an available PHEV with 60 km of electric range to a segment where most rivals offer one engine and one ceiling.
Visit Rose City Ford in Windsor to explore the Escape lineup and book a test drive in the trim that fits your drive.
