2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

Even in a grim year, Honda is selling a staggering number of CR-Vs. The CR-V is the best-selling Honda in Canada, edging out the home-built Honda Civic. The CR-V is also the second best-selling compact SUV, just behind the Toyota RAV4. And it was the sixth best-selling vehicle in Canada in 2021.

So, it’s hard to argue against the CR-V formula. Honda’s been at this almost as long as crossovers have been a thing, launching the CR-V in 1997—a year after the RAV4 debuted.

The funny thing is, aside from sales volume, there’s only one thing the CR-V particularly excels at. Aesthetics are subjective, but it would be hard to argue the CR-V is the best-looking vehicle in its class. It’s not the cheapest. It’s not the best equipped, especially at the middle to lower trim levels. It’s not the fastest, nor is it the quietest, or the most fuel efficient. It’s not even the most reliable, showing up nowhere in J.D. Power's Most Reliable list.

So, what makes it so appealing to Canadian consumers? Let’s see if we can figure that out.

It’s easy for a luxury brand to lose stature and cachet, but it’s hard for a mainstream brand to gain it. Nevertheless, Mazda is giving it the good old college try, having discussed its plan to become a premium brand for more than half a decade.

Unlike some automakers that rely solely on marketing to support their premium brand positioning, Mazda heavily invests in everything from design and engineering to dealership facilities, all to ensure there is substance behind its claim. Now, numerous updates to its most popular model elevate the 2022 Mazda CX-5 solidly into premium territory.

Don’t believe us? Drive one of the turbocharged versions of the 2022 CX-5 back to back with a similarly priced Audi Q3, Buick Envision, BMW X1, GMC Terrain, or Mercedes-Benz GLA, and you’ll see what we mean.