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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  A Mazda 6 in a SUV skin - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By imadad2 - October 7 - 10:14 pm

  Went to buy a Mazda 6 and since this would be my first Mazda decided to look over the other models. Impressed with the CX-9 and the old CX-7 (looked at CPO models) I decided to look at the CX-5 that replaced the CX-7 last year. At first I was not all that impressed until I looked at the Touring model. For only $1500 more I could get a small SUV instead of a car. So, took it for a test drive and it drove exactly like the Mazda 6. This 6 had a little more pep because of the difference in weight, but this SUV drove like a car and that is when I knew I was hooked. Way to go Mazda. I hope I am driving this for the next decade.

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  Avoid if you need tech pkg or visibility - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By AR - September 26 - 8:46 pm

  Bought a new 2013 Maxda CX 5 touring with navigation a couple of years ago. Cute car and comfortable but absolutely no power, navigation system never worked right, couldnt load my full address book (just over 1000 contacts) but you cant add new individually either so that was a complete waste. They blamed my iPhone. BS. I had the most current technology for both car and iPhone. Bose speakers only work if you are listening to CD. Otherwise all music comes mainly through center speaker in dashboard so everything sounds distorted. Again, they blamed the source (Sirius XM). I was able to survive unhappily with those features but the absolute zero visibility became impossible and too scary for me. Backup camera was great tho. Finally decided to cut my losses and get my sanity and happiness back and ditched the car for the 2016 Subaru Forester. The tech and backup camera in the redesign make the 2016 amazing. Love!!!! Best decision Ive made. Just wish it didnt have to be one of those bad life experiences where you lose thousands to learn your lesson. But avoid this car unless you are already a huge Mazda fan. At 52" I also couldnt clean the windshield because I was too short and there is a weird distortion in the window glass when sun hits it. Also, feel the edges of the steering wheel underneath. I sliced up my fingers on m a long road trip and Mazda had to file down the plastic. They checked and all of their steering wheels for the CX5 were like that. Huge flaw!!!!!!!

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  Luxury on a budget! - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By Silv - September 17 - 8:05 pm

  My previous vehicle was slowly cleaning out my bank account and my confidence (2005 Buick Terraza aka life-curse aka money pit). I started shopping around for something new as I had never owned a brand new car before. I knew I wanted something in the SUV cross-over class and I set my sights on the 2017 Honda CR-v initially. I felt I better compare and see what other brands had to offer, so I test drove the Rogue, Quashqai (aka rouge sport), HR-v, Tucson, and finally, CX-5. Man oh man, did CX-5 ever blindside me. It was no contest really, once I took that baby for a spin it was love at first ride. The quality feel was unmatched by all the others and while its not ultra powerful its certainly zippy enough for my needs and handles like a dream. I bought it with confidence and havent had a moment of doubt with it since. I hope it holds up over time, and being the second generation of already popular CX-5 designs Im certain it will. Im really not a fan of the new Soul Red colour, so I got mine in Deep Crystal Blue Mica and it just shimmers beautifully in the sun and looks sleek, almost black in the shade. The exterior has a mean looking grill with sleek LED headlights and I love that they turn with the corners while driving. The leather interior and all the knobs, buttons, and displays are of a quality I would have expected to see in a lexus or audi and went unmatched by all the other cars I test drove. Rear heated seats were a nice touch too! Im so proud of my new CX-5 as a first time new car purchase and I just felt really good about the entire experience overall. I would re-buy it again in a heartbeat!

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  Well-priced and fun Small CUV - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By benny_boy - September 3 - 7:07 pm

  Have had this car for 3000 miles in 3 months. Happy with my choice so far. I am 6-2" and I have two toddlers. My wife is already driving a minivan. So, i was looking for a car that can fit the whole family occasionally, yet compact enough to fit the short street curb between driveways in san francisco, versatile, two car seats, good looking, satisfying to drive, sit high, around $22,000 (out of the door), good mpg for my long commute and respected. I have found all these in my new cx-5. I was not considering mazda. But then, i got a chance to drive a mazda3 rental with a skyactiv engine. I re-discovered the driving experience I loved so much with my old BMW 3 series.

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  Best Crossover For the Money - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By flarp - August 10 - 7:19 am

  Got the Touring w/ Bose Audio + Moonroof and Technology packages. Compared w/ CR-V, RAV4, Forester, and Murano. Engine is smaller, but it is plenty responsive. All the others I tried had more raw power, but the difference wasnt significant for most commuter driving. Handling and road feel, the CX-5 blew all the others out of the water. Its a crossover, but it handles more like a sporty sedan. Fuel economy was also a huge improvement over the others. All this at a price about $2-3k less than comparably equipped models from the other manufacturers.

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  OK but compromised - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By dbrown15 - August 1 - 12:48 pm

  Good value. Excellent gas mileage 29 to 35 mpg mixed driving. Acceleration Ok but nothing special. Major rattles and vibrations in cold weather and on dirt roads. Driving side mirror replaced due to vibration at highway speeds. Three trips to dealership(s) to finally resolve instrument panel rattle. Still noticeable body noise and resonance from rear. Thinking of trading in for a Subaru Crosstrek as have driven that car over similar terrain with no problems.

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  All in the family - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By Robert Campbell - July 30 - 5:22 pm

  I owned a 2013 Mazda CX5 Touring when they first came out and then I purchased a 2016 Mazda CX5, but this time I moved up the Grand Touring, then I just bought a 2017 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring. Also each of the cars I purchased was the same color a Silver Gray. The odds of buying not only the same car, same model and basically the same color are extremely rare and that speaks for its self as to how good the car is. Plus my wife bought a 2013 CX5 2 weeks after I had bought my 2013 CX5 and she loves it. So I look at our CX5s as family.

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  CX5-FWD Touring with Tech/Bose Package - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By tirang - July 22 - 6:14 pm

  Firstly, heart felt thanks to all the other reviewers for their reviews in helping in my car purchase process. Had to make a decision between the CX5 vs Forester and went with the CX5. So far so good. Car makes engine noise when just started and also on windy conditions, you can hear the wind noise inside the car. Drives real smooth around corners and in city conditions. For me the lack of reclining back seats nor enough rear leg room for adults was not a deal breaker. Forester has better reliability and AWD as standard. CX5 Bose/Tech package is amazing especially the night adaptive halogen headlights. If you drive around poorly lit areas, this will make a ton of difference.

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  CX-5 Grand Touring-(27,500 miles) Fun car but underpowered - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By mnvpierson - July 9 - 6:31 pm

  I think I was the 2nd person to buy in MN because I was waiting for the cx-5 or the escape whichever came first. Bought the car in Feb of 2012 and have really enjoyed the car and now have 27,500 miles on the car. It is fun to drive. The tires are 19 in and were replaced at 23k and are expensive because they are not a popular size. The only problem is it is underpowered with the 2.0 especially pulling out into traffic or having the car loaded with 5 people, almost unsafe. Would not buy this again but would consider the 2014 which has the bigger engine. I get 32 mpg on the highway and 20 or 21 mpg in the city which is a stop light ever mile or so. For a suv we were happy with the mpg.

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  Overly Impressed! - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By jgoal55 - June 22 - 1:51 am

  I am really, really impressed so far. I switched over from an Infiniti G37 S because I wanted a bit more room with a new baby in the house. It also saved about $90 per month on car payments. I definitely miss the pick up on the G37 but in terms of technology (ease of use and device compatibility) and comfort, the CX-5 blows the G37 away. Few features that I miss are memory for the driver seat positions (not available) and power passenger seat (not available). But I can definitely live without those and overall the car is excellent. It handles well, tight steering, comfortable seats, surprisingly spacious for a crossover, and great gas mileage so far.