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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  2014 CX5 2.5 Touring - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By pmacx5 - March 28 - 1:07 pm

  Its been 2 yrs/ 20K miles and it still deliveries the fun to drive with perfect Reliability. I service my cx5 at the dealer. first service @5k $40, second @10K free, third@15K $55, fourth@20K $60. Owning a Lexus, BMW, and Nissan, we seem to drive the CX5 everywhere. Avg., MPGs when new was at 23-24, mix driving - after we hit 4-5K we avg., 27mpg. On trips 300+ miles on cruise control holding 70mph we avg., 31mpg. I have a BMW 42K price tag and the Mazda matches the steering & Balance character of it. We have been very Happy with the Cx5. If I had any CONS: it would be the the bluetooth, its quirky & it needs a little sound deadening padding like Lexus. other than that, Its a great buy

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  More zoom-zoom than your typical compact SUV - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By Jeff B - March 18 - 12:15 am

  If money was no object, Id be driving a Porsche Cayenne S. But since my current car budget did not have room for a $90K SUV (and the associated high maint costs), I feel I did the next best thing and got a Mazda CX-5 GT with prem pkg. No, its not nearly as fast as a Cayenne, but for about a third the the price, this little SUV acts a lot like that Swabian icon of the road. This is my second CX5. I had a 2013 as well. The 2017 is a HUGE upgrade from the 2013 model. I got my new one in Soul Red Crystal, and it literally glows! Love it. The 2017 is MUCH quieter inside than the earlier model, and compared to even a new Honda CRV, or a Ford Escape, the Mazda is quieter and more composed on the road, and handles much better than those rivals. Although the stability control is a little too aggressive for my taste, you can still toss this thing around like a sports sedan and not worry about the suspension getting flabby & floppy on you. It just tracks beautifully and handles mid corner bumps with aplomb (just like the Cayenne). If your main goal is having a lot of interior room & cargo space, go for the CRV (which is MUCH roomier) but in every other aspect I can think of, the Mazda scores higher. The Honda is more like a nice mini-van, disguised as an SUV. Sure its roomy and peppy, but it in no way rewards the enthusiast driver like the Mazda. The parchment leather interior is just gorgeous, and looks much nicer than (for example) the interior in a BMW X3 or X5. Mazda obsessed over every little detail in this car. I was a bit concerned that I might not like all the "active safety" features, but they are so well done and so well integrated into the operation of the vehicle, that it was easy to get used to, and now I miss them in my other cars. With about 1100 miles on the clock I am averaging 26.9mpg. I do not do much urban driving, but still I am very happy with that result. I expect this result will improve as the engine breaks in. (Over 4 years I averaged 28.4mpg in my 2013 CX5). In short, if you want a "drivers car" but need the room and practicality of an SUV get the CX5 -- unless of course you can spring for the Cayenne :)

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  Exciting fun car - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By todhug - March 11 - 3:29 am

  I looked for over 3 months for a new car that I could purchase to replace our family van. Ive been driving vans for 20 years and it is finally time to get something much cooler and funner to drive. I looked at all the CUVs and even a Mini Cooper Countryman. After doing much research I decided put purchase a 2015 Mazda CX 5 from Freeway Mazda in Ogden, Utah. First, let me say that it was one of the best car purchasing experiences Ive had. Freeway Mazda created a pleasant car buying experience with none of the traditional high pressure gimmicks and they gave us a very good deal. They Mazda CX 5 is fun, beautiful, and and eye catching car. Everyone that I pass looks.

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  My favorite Mazda yet! - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By asilver89 - February 17 - 6:56 pm

  I purchased my zeal red 2013 Mazda CX-5 in AWD touring package in January 2013. I absolutely love this vehicle! This is my 3rd Mazda. My first was a 2004 3 touring (GS), and the second was a 2007 3 GT Sport hatch. I purchased the CX-5 because I wanted an awd vehicle with good fuel economy. The exterior is beautiful, interior is simple, yet clean and easy to look at. Fuel economy is wonderful (actually better than my Mazda 3GT was!) I have no complaints about this purchase. Yes it is slightly underpowered, but I only notice that while merging onto the highway. I almost bought a CX-7 I test drove a few months prior to this and WOW am I ever glad I didnt.

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  Excellent Car - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By kannon8833 - January 20 - 5:12 am

  Have own our 2014 AWD GT for 3000 miles. Very happy with the car. Wanted to write a review cause it was the many reviews on Edmunds that eventually helped me select the CX-5 over the Forester. CX-5 (in my opinion) just handles better. Tracks real well, very stable. Soaks up more bumps and noise better than the Forester. Brakes well, handled very well in snow and rain. Forester - cant beat the wonderful and huge sunroof, visibility MUCH better - CX-5 needs more attention. Better heated seats on the Forester. Bottom line - Mazda offered better trade, finance, car better handling. Couldnt pass up - just more bang for the buck.

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  Love my Mazda - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By summercx5 - January 1 - 11:56 am

  I had been searching on the internet for three months for a new car. I had decided between the Mazda CX5 and the Mitsubishi Outlander. The day I did my test drives I found the CX5 to be far superior to the Outlander. The Mazda has lots of pep as opposed to the Outlanders sluggish acceleration. Also, my husband is 66 and he found the CX5 to be more comfortable. The CX5 also has more space in the hatchback. The fuel economy is also excellent. Its great to have a car that is economical and a blast to drive!!!

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  Zoom-zoom with room - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By midnight2014 - January 1 - 6:59 am

  My wife previously owned a 2010 3 hatchback. We loved that car. I loved that car even though I am 510", and 220 pounds, I fit comfortably in that car. But my wife wanted something bigger, and when the CX-5 came out it was the perfect choice for her. I like the CX-5, but wonder where the memory seats went? Mazda please explain the silly logic of eliminating memory seats??? The 2013 3 had them. My wife being 54", and me being 510", you can understand my dilemma. My wifes GT has everything, rain-sensing wipers, rear camera, Smart-Assist Braking, Bose, navigation, but no memory seats!!!! Not an option on the CX-5. It is her car, but I picked the color: Solar Red. Gas mileage so-so

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  Great with a big exception - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By mtzjack - December 18 - 8:59 pm

  I ought a 2015 CX-5 Grand Touring AWD with the technology package. Its been a great comfortable car, but the tech package is worthless and there are lots of issues with it. Google "Mazda CX-5petition" for details. The TomTom GPS would have been great about 6-7 years ago. Including it on a 2015 vehicle should be an embarrassment to both TomTom and Mazda. The system doesnt sync properly with iTunes, always playing the first song when starting. Bluetooth has issues.

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  3 Series to CX-5, no regrets! - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By emanuscript - October 16 - 6:35 pm

  We loved our 2006 330i dearly - but we were conscious about the spiralling fuel costs as well as ptential maintenance cost for the bimmer though we were yet to have any. My wife and I were int he market for a long time and I had 3 cars that I was considering - GMC Terrain, Honda CRV and well, a used Q5. And that is when I drove the CX5. I new that the 2.0 litre engine will never satisfy coming from the 3 litre Bimmer V6. I was just hoping that it does not disappoint me completely. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the capability of the mazda powertrain. I could live with it. For my priorities this was the overal winner.

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  Mazda CX-5 GT - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By vladeze100 - October 8 - 2:28 am

  I bought a 2014 Mazda CX-5 GT and absolutely love it. I was a big fan of the vehicle when it came out, but felt that the 2.0L engine was not powerful enough for me. When I test drove the 2.5L, I knew that this is a car for me and bought it. I am impressed with the overall quality of the interior (other cars Ive owned - Audi, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota). This is one sweet SUV. Trust me, test drive this before you buy any other small SUV and compare it to what you were thinking of buying. Mazda really makes fun to drive, high-quality vehicles.