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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  CX-5 PROBLEMS - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By ubaldovarela - June 20 - 11:06 am

  I had this car for 3 month 10,000 miles So far many problems showing up Excessive gas consumption is not as dealers told me from 11.0l/km to 11.0km/h in the city without AC an only driver In emergency situation you can go over 160km/h only down hill you can get 180km/h although limit in the car is 190km/h The battery will discharge after couple hrs. when youre in music and you will need AAA to restart your car A lot of noises inside of the car seems like old car and the noise of the engine is like a oil issue The blind spot monitor is not good to trust because sometimes can not detect a big truck in one side of you or sometimes stay active all time without cars in the sides & more.

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  BEWARE MAZDA! Bad! - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By bluzone2 - September 11 - 9:28 pm

  Cross shopped all the high-efficiency small AWDs. Mazda was a little more expensive but "appeared" to have more amenities. Appearances are deceiving. I bought a fully loaded GT CX-5 with everything but a NAV, based on reviews of the NAV. After 6500 miles that pretty sky blue paint has more white zits than a teenager, the leather is like paper, the "Bose" speakers sound like a discount house box speaker, and I cant get the fuel efficiency higher than 26.0 on interstate driving. Mazda, by way of your dealer, will not stand behind its product.

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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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  Acceleration problems - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By amber - October 23 - 2:38 am

  I have a 2015 Mazda CX-5 so afraid to keep driving this car. Mind you that I like this vehicle but its nothing considered best a good vehicle. #1 The acceleration is very dangerous my car started revving up higher at 2,000rpms plus the speedometer went nuts and transmission jerked extremely bad to the point thought was going to die. Interior is comfortable like all features in my car but overall other things dont trust its a defective vehicle that needs to be off highway ASAP- It had almost caused my life took into dealership it came from computer wiring problem. #2 Now experience transmission jerking bad nearly almost rear ended by 18 wheeler after it slowed down to 25mph. I had a 2010 Ford Fusion with this same problem will not deal with another vehicle having same identical problem as my 2010 Fusion. This time its much worse to the point think might get sued by another motorist or get killed because its very dangerous driving will not purchased another Mazda again after all these bad electronics having out a vehicle brought last year has 15,000 miles this will be the 3rd time taking it back into dealership for a bad issue.

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  No zoom zoom here - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By ygbsmbd - June 28 - 7:01 pm

  Had mine for 6000 miles, MAZDA! Never again. CX5 is underpowered; the transmission makes it worse. Slow and gear confused at 20-40 MPH, especially in the hills. Must manually shift this slug or nail gas in hills or entering hyway. Dont pass; it dies for a whole second before accelerating. 25 MPG at best. Seat adjuster is awful, nav is cumbersome, the road noise makes it hard to talk at 50 MPH and above, insulation is not there, crank the air and leave it, or drive an oven. Second highest model has no tail lift gate light; WHAT! Shifter easy to knock out of gear/ over to manual. rear wiper grinds. cannot see out the right side well. cant see the gages. no lights on window controls.

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  Dont Buy - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By dontlikeit - September 1 - 1:29 pm

  Leased a 2015 CX-5 from Pugi and wished I didnt. Had to jump-start it 4-times over the last month. Car would go dead sitting. Dealership said the battery & electrical systems were fine. Then the car self accelerated on its own & breaking didnt disengage it. Had to put it in neutral as the engine was screaming in high rpms trying to disengage by stomping on the accelerator pedal. So now they want to put a black-box recorder in to see if it happens again. Could be to late and end up fatal. Would you want to be the lab rate waiting for your death? Talked to Mazda DM and said "the buck stops here" and thats what we are offering. We have no confidence in the Mazda product or the dealership..

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  What car do these other people have? - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By vitden21 - September 1 - 10:01 am

  Have read other reviews of the CX5 and am wondering what Im missing. I purchased the Touring model with the Bose/moonroof package. The Bose system is pretty awful. All the sound seems to come out of the center speaker. The vocals sound tinny and no adjustment of the treble and bass seem to make much difference unless bass is turned all the way up and treble all the way down. And the interior is so cheaply made! The floor carpeting pulls away every time I try to remove the floor mats to vacuum.The driver side cloth covered armrest is already showing some sign of wear and Ive only had the vehicle for 30 days. Very disappointing. So is the bird chirping sound the engine started making.

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  Fooled by the looks - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By jdagosta - April 18 - 4:30 am

  What a shocker. Our last four new car purchases had been Toyotas. We were lured in by the sporty look of the CX-5, and claims that its reliability was comparable toToyotas. The salesman hyped the CX -5s maintenance free transmission. About a week after our purchase, the transmission failed completely and required replacement. No support, no apologies, from the dealer. We wont be fooled again. Back to Toyota