2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV segment. It was stylish and built with high-quality materials, giving it a luxurious feel. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the CX-5 boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, Mazda had plans to phase out the CX-5 in favor of the redesigned and renamed CX-50. This transition aimed to ease consumers into the new model, much like Infiniti's rebranding strategy with the G37 to Q50 and Q60.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased how far Volvo had come from its boxy, utilitarian designs of the past. The XC90 had a purposeful yet understated look, with a stout front end, assertive grille, and modern "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The test vehicle featured 21-inch wheels and Platinum Gray paint, adding a touch of drama and richness. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful interior.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It had an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg combined. The 2.5 Turbo variant, with its turbocharged engine, delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also paired with the six-speed automatic and AWD, achieving 24 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive performance and a firm, connected ride quality. However, the CX-5's fuel economy fell short during testing, returning 21.4 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6 engine, featuring a supercharger, turbo, and mild-hybrid tech, delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. These powertrains offered smoother operation and slightly better fuel efficiency. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, minimal road and wind noise, and confident braking. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel-saving auto stop-start technology, making it almost imperceptible. However, the XC90 lacked customizable driving dynamics, focusing on simplicity.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates for improved comfort and support in the front seats. All versions had a height-adjustable driver's seat, and most trims included a height-adjustable front passenger seat. Higher trims offered power adjustment, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Signature trim featured luxurious Nappa leather. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with small storage areas, cramped rear seats, and a modest cargo capacity of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, but the minimalist design led to limited storage space. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the center console bin was small. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This cargo capacity fell short compared to some competitors. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, making it more maneuverable.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. However, it lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls on the center console were awkward to use. The control knob required multiple twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting. The system's user experience was often frustrating, especially when tuning SiriusXM satellite radio stations. Despite these issues, Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display ran on Google OS, featuring Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard. The natural-language recognition provided by Google Assistant enhanced the user experience. Owners could also issue commands to the XC90 via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The XC90's minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons and redundant controls, making it challenging to adjust features like the heated steering wheel and driver's seat position. While these issues might fade with daily use, they could be frustrating during a test drive.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety with its i-Activsense driver assistance tech. Most features were standard, except for a few exclusive to the 2.5 Turbo Signature, such as the surround-view camera system, parking sensors, rear low-speed automatic emergency braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display showing operational status and alerts. The CX-5 also had an E911 system for automatic collision notification. However, it lacked a warning message for driving without headlights at night. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety. It carried a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which maintained distance and speed from a standstill to highway speed. These features were standard on the XC90, enhancing its reputation as one of the safest vehicles on the road.