The 2021 Toyota C-HR needs to be seen to be believed; the driving’s forgettable.
Pros Grabby looks Standard safety tech Rides well Decent value
Cons It’s courageous, for sure Rear seat’s dark, cramped Power’s low Meh mpg
Toyota's smallest SUV receives a boost to its safety cred for 2021 with an updated suite of driver-assistance features. Standard across the lineup is Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 active safety system, which includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist with road-edge detection, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high-beam headlamps, and adaptive cruise control with lane-trace assist—which keeps it centered in the lane..
Pros Funk-tastic styling, nicely outfitted cabin, standard safety tech.
Cons Slothful acceleration, tight rear seat space, limited cargo room.
New Nightshade Edition available.Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of safety features and driver aids now standard on all trims.
Pros Sporty handling makes it fun to zip around turns Comes standard with plenty of features, including safety tech Swoopy styling helps it stand out
Cons Unlike most rivals, it doesn't offer all-wheel drive Even in this slow class, acceleration is lethargic Pervasive road and engine noise in the cabin Minimal cargo space, even for its small segment
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 crossover has some priorities out of order; it doles out fine handling while it delivers a skimpy back seat.
Pros Looks good inside and out Taut ride and handling Available turbo power Decent value in most trims
Cons Turbo lag Moderate acceleration in base version Cramped back seat Inferior infotainment
For 2021, the most notable upgrade made to the CX-5 is its new infotainment system. A 10.3-inch touchscreen now sits atop the dashboard instead of the smaller 7.0-inch display found on previous model years. The updated system features the new Mazda Connect interface, Mazda Connected Services (a Wi-Fi hotspot and access to remote vehicle functions through a smartphone app), and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pros Luxury aura without the luxury price, engaging driving behavior, expeditious turbo engine.
Cons Base engine accelerates leisurely, competitors have more cargo space, tows only 2000 pounds.
New infotainment system with a larger screen.Remote monitoring and control through a smartphone app.Top Signature trim gains some new safety features.
PROS Keen handling and steering make the CX-5 enjoyable to drive Attractive and upscale cabin for a premium ownership experience Optional turbocharged engine provides plenty of power Quiet at highway speeds
CONS Base engine's lackluster acceleration Ride is a little firm for the class Less rear legroom and cargo room than most competitors
