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:

• 

  After one week - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By awolowa - December 21 - 4:21 am

  This car makes weird noises. The motor sounds like birds chirping and it makes me nervous. Is it supposed to sound like this? Sure wish I had a rear camera. The visibility is bad over the shoulder. Interior noise is fair. Car is bulky for its actual size. Handling is pretty amazing. Really holds the road. Very fun drive. However very little power, but probably enough for normal driving. Not a race car, but kinda handles like one. Boasts some good gas mileage, but havent experienced that yet. I hope its just because it needs to be "broken in".

• 

  initial report on new 2014 CX-5 - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By tamoshanter55 - November 6 - 9:01 am

  ok...ill have to admit that im already a little biased with brand loyalty - have had a 1990 protege with 270k before selling it, and still have 2000 626 with 307k going strong. replaced my 2008 nissan rogue after its engine blew out and came back to mazda. bought it last week. so far, 600 miles, very satisfied. seats a little snug for me (am 511" and 260), but stil comfortable. adjusting to tom-tom after having garmin for 5 years - slower than my garmin; BOSE sound is very good - i like the ipod connection and pandora. acceleration a bit sensitive - downshifts quickly, but 10x better than rogues CVT. quiet and smooth. will give update later

• 

  Very Good w/ a few concerns - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By linwood_852 - September 9 - 11:04 am

  I just hit 5K miles and overall Im very pleased with this vehicle. It handles very well, gets good gas milage (25 mpg in mixed city driving on regular octane) and has a very versatile interior. It compares favorably to my wifes Subaru Outback (better handling, more versatile interior due to 40-20-40 2nd seat) and to my former Audi Q5 (which is more luxurious and heavier built but at the expense of mpg & $15K more in price). My only concerns are excessive road/engine noise, replacement part availability, and bluetooth/audio performance.

• 

  WORTH STATING AGAIN DO NOT BUY TECH PKG!! - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By ktsb11 - August 26 - 4:23 am

  I did do some research and was aware the Infotainment system was a tad glitchy before I bought my car but its way beyond that. It is exactly as someone else said...ipod use has stopped completely even WITH the 3 minute time to start a song and the starting over each time you turn on the car. Bluetooth is beyond frustrating...it seems to think Im speaking a foreign language. And Ive had to reset the bluetooth twice. Ive had the car one month. I drive a lot and need my music. Im so disappointed Mazda has let this go on.

• 

  Great looking, but needs work - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By carzcville - August 9 - 7:21 am

  I own a 2014 Touring. The new engine is a big improvement over the 2013 - smooth with good power. Fit and finish are excellent with comfortable cloth seats. Problems noted take a lot away from this car: the door ledge is at a right angle rather than rounded like most vehicles and is not well-padded making it extremely uncomfortable to rest left arm while driving. Similarly, the center console/armrest is too low and not well-padded, making resting your right arm/elbow difficult. The base stereo speakers are awful - much worse than stock speakers on other cars Ive owned. The projector headlights bounce far more than other cars and are distracting. CX-5 is great looking but needs work.

• 

  Good car with transmission problem - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By Timothy - July 8 - 12:32 pm

  Cars transmission had problems after 300 miles. There would be a delay in its initiation when I went from park to drive, reverse to drive or stopped to drive. It caused the car not to move for about 2 seconds then the car would jerk forward. After it got going it seemed fine. Took about 10 days to fix. I couldnt get a loaner car for 4 days. Car seems to slightly jerk ever so slightly since then when stopped in drive mode, but barely noticeable. Car handles great, has sufficient power for flat pavement. Nice quality/trim inside. Nice speaker/sound system.

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  My 2013 CX 5 - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By skn2012 - May 25 - 1:30 pm

  Hi, Got my Silver metalic CX-5 sport model two months back. Ride quality is very good. Acceleration feels slightly under powered as it feels little sluggish while changing lanes or moving after a stop light, the brighter side its fuel efficient. No regrets. Love it so far.

• 

  Feels more expensive than it is, still... a few bugs - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By leda1 - May 20 - 11:24 am

  Fully loaded CX5 GT AWD is fun to drive and feels higher lux than youd expect. 19" wheels give a stiffer ride than I hoped - Mazda should offer 18"s I think as an option. Since April 2012, 28 MPG city. Need to carefully modulate gas pedal to optimize performance without slipping into passing gear, but even so, good accelleration. Overall, nice. Problems: A/C fuse blown at purchase - blew warm air at idle- Fixed. Noticed a gear slip, momentary RPM redline, and "clunk" when engaging passing gear at highway speeds - Not Fixed yet. Ordered rear sensing system - beeps constantly in Reverse - Not Fixed yet. Could use better TomTom nav controls (zoom lock) and a constant compass readout somewhere.

• 

  21005 miles so far - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By monicacath - May 10 - 7:38 am

  Ive owned this vehicle since April. It now has 21005 miles on it. The following is my experience with this CX5 Grand Touring FWD. Mazda, the Tom Tom navigation system is a HUGE disappointment. Ive updated the maps (twice) using Tom Tom home (which one must be able to do on their own home computer- you out of luck if you’re not tech savvy), and it factory reset 4 time ( based on the recommendation of the Tom Tom support staff) This hasn’t helped. The GPS has lead me down dead end roads, constantly lost the GPS signal in the middle of a route, routed traffic the absolutely longest route possible, instructed me to turn with no road, jumped off the route into neighborhoods along the interstate and navigated thru neighborhoods I’d rather have not visited. The navigation system has limited ability to zoom out so one could see a “short cut” or the way to the nears main road. Once zoomed out, it loses the small roads. It has been in the Mazda shop twice. Today, they are putting a new antenna on the vehicle. I no longer trust the navigation system, (which is one reason I bought this vehicle) . I keep my Droid phone available and a paper map. This was never an issue when I owned a Honda Touring Van- with maps on it from 2007. Next, when programing the GSP ( BECAUSE OF SAFETY LOCK IT CAN ONLY BE PROGRAMED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION) this is a HUGE safety issue for me. At times, I just want to get out of a neighborhood, as a home health nurse. I’ve learned don’t keep driving somewhere I don’t know, however, stopping is not such a good plan either. While programing the GPS, the air conditioner vent freezes my hand. There is no back air, so people sitting in the back seat are forced to sweat while the air is turned off, or the one programming the GSP must take breaks to warm their hands to keep them from freezing. The driver’s seat has clips which are supposed to hold the leather material clipped to the underneath side of the seat. These clips continually come unattached causing the seat material to slide around. This will have to be replaced. There is no arm rest for the driver’s seat right side. The left arm can use the door. I’ve had to use a pillow to support my arm on long trips. Obviously I have driven quite a bit since late April with 21005 miles. A back light at the hatchback would be MOST helpful while loading and unloading at night. The little lights in the front and middle do not offer enough light for the rear of the car. My tire sensor has gone off, indicating a low tire. Which one?? Who knows! There is no indication of which tire, so each and every tire must be checked. The mechanic who checked it in a small town in northern Arkansas said each tire had exactly the specified air. Mazda hooked it up to the computer and I was told that my tire was low, however it was fine now. I added no air, and did not have the tires rotated (which may cause a problem I’ was told). But now, miraculously, the air has been restored. I wonder if there is a faulty sensor? Gas mileage has been between 26 and 30 in the city (I have lots of hills here) and 30 – 33 on the highway. It takes a little umph to get this car moving to pass. These are all little things – except the navigation system-. I love my heated seats, automatic garage door opener, the sporty style, the amazing rocking sound system and the overall drive. Would I buy it again…. Maybe Update: Mazda dealership bent over backwards, lending me a Garmin to attach to the dashboard and after several attempts, including replacing the GPS system and antenna, the GPS is working. It occasionally loses signal and goes into the searching for GPS signal mode, however this is rare. The Tom Tom system isn’t as user friendly as the Honda system, Google maps or a Garmin, however using Tom Tom and Google maps, I have an accurate map.

• 

  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.