Overview & Reviews

When it comes to small crossover SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 is a relative newcomer. But Mazda has done an excellent job designing the CX-5, and it's quickly become one of our favorite models. Like other competitors, it offers plenty of versatility, high fuel economy and value. But the CX-5 is also uncommonly enjoyable to drive, which could very well give it the edge with car shoppers who want something a little extra from their small crossover.

Current Mazda CX-5
The five-passenger Mazda CX-5 is currently offered with two different engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on models with the 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive; a six-speed automatic is optional. All other CX-5s have a six-speed automatic.

There are three CX-5 trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Standard equipment for the Sport includes full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a four-speaker sound system with a USB port. The Touring trim brings keyless ignition and entry, a color screen to the center stack, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a power driver seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Grand Touring trim adds leather seat trim, automatic climate control, an upgraded audio system and automatic climate control. Popular options, depending on the trim level, adaptive xenon headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, satellite radio and a navigation system.

In reviews, we've found the Mazda CX-5 nimble and enjoyable to drive. The brakes, suspension and steering are uncommonly capable, and in general the CX-5 is downright fun and confidence-inspiring to drive around corners. The 2.0-liter engine's on-paper specs won't blow you away, but there's a suitable amount of power for real-world driving.

Inside the CX-5, things are attractive, modern and functional. There are lots of high-quality materials and classy trim details to please the eye. Seating is comfortable both front and rear. The rear seat does not slide fore and aft, a handy feature some competitors offer, but it does fold easily. Furthermore, the upper trims offer a 40/20/40 split, allowing a useful amount of cargo-and-people-hauling combinations.

Used Mazda CX-5 Models
The Mazda CX-5 was introduced for 2013. It effectively replaced the now-defunct Ford Escape-based Mazda Tribute. In its first year, the CX-5 was only available with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but in 2014 the larger, more-powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was introduced.

User Reviews:

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  Very impressed with this CX-5 - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By ron277 - March 15 - 10:38 pm

  I have driven the CX5 for just a week now and I am impressed at the power in the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine. Great pickup and can do anything I ask it to do on the road. Ride is firm but comfortable, the steering is responsive, the 9 speaker Bose system sounds great and it much better than on my old Mazda 626 ES. The mileage so far as I have recorded is hanging around 28 MPG. Wonderful. The rear camera and the BSM system are all frosting on the cake. I purchase additional warranty to 84 mo/100,000 miles , beyond Mazdas 36 mo/36,000 mile

• 

  Good - not great - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By dougal1098 - March 4 - 12:30 am

  I have been driving my 2014 CX-5 Grand Touring for a couple of days now. I got the base Grand Touring model with a remote start and a trailer hitch. The car itself is nice with good handling and styling. The car just looks nice. The 19" wheels are a distinctive feature that really makes the car unique. The handling of the car is nice but not dramatically different than other cars in its class. And really, why buy this car of this class for handling anyway?

• 

  750 miles and love it so far - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By cx5er - February 23 - 9:27 am

  I really love my CX-5. I tried the Toyota Rav4 (my #2), Ford Escape (my #3), and Honda CR-V (#4--hated it) before choosing this car. It was a clear winner. I appreciated how the middle trim level I purchased had features that higher quality vehicles and higher trim levels only offered with other makers (i.e. blind spot monitoring). As a college student without my own family, having the single control for the AC/heating works well for me. If you have children, you’d probably be inclined to consider the Grand Touring model since it allows passengers to control their own temperature control. The car is fun to drive and easy to maneuver. Best deal for the money.

• 

  5,000 Miles in, all smiles - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By hootie361 - February 22 - 4:59 pm

  We purchased this CX-5 in December 2014 after my 7 years driving an X3. Of all the compact SUVs available in the $25-30K price range, we liked the CX-5 styling the best. Now 5,000 miles on the odometer and I really have no complaints. On highway trips through the PA mountains and over OH flatlands, I averaged 29mpg at 70mph. In mixed driving (local errands, groceries, etc.) Im seeing about 25mpg. And all this with 87 octane on a high-compression engine. The in-dash multimedia system works great, pairing with multiple iPhone/iPods cleanly and transmitting bluetooth info as needed. The update to the TomTom nav system worked as described on the web guide. Very happy with this choice so far.

• 

  Great Small SUV! Very Useful and Fun to Drive!! - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By comet18 - January 20 - 10:04 pm

  Bottom Line Up Front: I bought my 2014 Soul Red Metallic Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring at the end of May and couldnt be happier with it! It looks great, drives wonderfully and is exceeding the advertised MPG ratings. We looked at the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Subaru Outback and Forester as well as the Mazda CX-5. Test drove them all several times. Comparing the safety ratings, fuel economy, cargo capacity, etc. the cars all come out fairly similarly. In my opinion, the main differentials were looks and driving style. The CX-5 is sleeker and much more fun to drive. It felt much more nimble and agile than the others and now its in my garage.

• 

  Only One Zoom - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By lennye - January 20 - 8:37 pm

  Though advertised as zoom-zoom, due to its weight is about 600 pounds heavier than my previous 2007 Mazda 3 sedan, I was only able to "zoom" but well aware of its speed is slower than the other 2 CUVs that Ive looked at, Outback and CR-V. The CR-V has the softest ride but subjectively I cannot deal w/ it on a daily basis. However, the interior design and features are the best. The Outback appears to be lower and I like the backup camera view located on the rear-view mirror, but I do not need AWD or its mileage penalty. The CX-5 is a good compromise and its my 4th Mazda. Other than slow, I like the weighted and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Love the price too w/ all the features.

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  Didnt buy a new care to use the warrenty - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By ssgoverbey - January 3 - 2:02 am

  Have owned my Mazda CX5 since May 2012. I keep having problems almost since I bought. The very first thing was the GPS said it was out of date. I tried to update the memory card like it said with TomTom online. Was a big pain. Then was trying to get my trial of satellite radio which didnt work well. Could use some more power. At around 9,000 miles all the warning lights came on, cruse control wouldnt work. Bad battery. Then this last week at around 16,000 miles all warning lights came on again and would not shift. Waiting on some transmission part now. I do not have faith in taking the car on any long road trip now.

• 

  MY CX-5 - NEARLY PERFECT - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By sonowop - January 1 - 4:20 pm

  Have driven my Grand Touring 2014 for 5,000 miles now. The good: handles wonderful, brakes are great, visibility excellent, comfort very good. No complaints on build quality, style, or driveability. Its not perfect but was the best choice for me relative to its competition. Major surprise is the driveability of car. I did not really expect it. 2.5 is a little beast (thats good). Major disappointment is the radio, gps, and gas mileage.

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  Caution to CX-5 buyers - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By zoomed_out - December 9 - 3:58 pm

  Hold your horses. We have a 2013 CX-5 that had the transmission go out. The dealer has had it for a month and replaced parts in the transmission twice now with no success. They cant get the vehicle started. They have been in contact with Mazda, with no success so far. We have attempted to contact Mazda USA, with no success do to their website being down. ...?... We bought all of the options that were available for a total of 40K and now we are driving a rental car from Enterprise with a threat that if anyone dings it, we will have to pay $500 no questions asked. Thank you Alan Webb. We have never heard from Mazda Care to date.

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  Overall good choice - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By badlands17 - November 23 - 5:33 pm

  Traded in a 11 Ford Escape Limited AWD for the 14 Mazda CX-5 GT in Sep, 2013 so this is after 4 mo of use. Overall, a good vehicle. Pickup is good, comparable to the V6in the Escape. Mileage is better, though not as good as some on here indicate. In town averaging 23-24 mpg. However, in winter cold, mileage has dropped to 20-21 mpg. Use of remote start in bitter cold for 10 minutes, mileage drops to 18-19. Sound system is good, but not as good as the system in the 11 Escape. Some on here have complained about the Bluetooth connection. I have been using Pandora and the system works fine. Unlike satellite radio (ie Sirius), Pandora is coming through your cellphone first, then to the onboard