Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 is one of two compact crossovers in the Mazda stable along with the CX-50. It’s the older of the two but remains the brand’s best-selling vehicle. The CX-5 is sportier than its family-oriented rivals and offers a choice of two four-cylinder engines, one of which is turbocharged and offers more power than is typical for compact crossovers. The CX-5 is a relatively spacious compact SUV, with sufficient room for five passengers and cargo.
Explore the evolution of the Mazda CX-5
Get our expert take on used Mazda CX-5 models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Mazda CX-5
Mazda sells the CX-5 in a choice of eight trim levels with two engines and standard all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but buyers can also get a turbocharged version of that engine, making the CX-5 faster than most of its rivals. However, the turbocharged engine reduces fuel economy from 28 mpg combined to 24 mpg combined, according to the EPA
. Mazda offers no hybrid option for the CX-5, though the similarly sized CX-50 gets one.CX-5 buyers enjoy a roomy interior up front. Second-row space can be a bit tight for adults, but there’s up to 59.3 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats folded flat. Cabin materials are appropriate for the price, though the CX-5 is saddled with an outdated infotainment system run by rotary controller on the center console, a design that requires too many clicks to adjust a feature or setting. The display does offer touch controls but only when using Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™.
Mazda outfits the CX-5 with a wealth of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warnings, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, and rear occupant alerts. Front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a driver assist system that helps in traffic jams are also available.
Model highlights
2.5-liter four-cylinder and turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines
Launched in 2017 with front- or all-wheel drive
All-wheel drive became standard for 2022
Seven-inch screen standard with redesign
10.25-inch screen with touch controls for connected smartphones added for 2021
Diesel engine available only for 2019 model year
Turbocharged engine added for 2019 model year
First generation Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 arrived for 2013 as a sportier alternative to the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It didn’t offer more power, but it was more engaging to drive. And it didn’t give up typical crossover SUV space for its sporty character. It offered front- or all-wheel drive, a four-cylinder engine, and a manual or automatic transmission.
At launch, the CX-5 came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provided sluggish acceleration. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder was added for the 2014 model year to give the CX-5 more useful power. It was only available with the automatic transmission.
Driver-assist technology was lacking for most of this generation. Low-speed automatic emergency braking became available for the 2014 model year, and 2016 brought the addition of available adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. A rearview camera was standard for higher trims, and it became standard with the 2016.5 update.
Model highlights
Launched with 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with modest power
Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions
2.5-liter four-cylinder with more power added for 2014
Sporty driving dynamics compared to rivals
Front- or all-wheel drive
More driver-assist features for 2016
Available 5.8-inch touchscreen at launch
Seven-inch screen without touch capability added for 2016
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2017 - present
2025 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
2.5 S Premium trim level dropped; 2.5 S returns
Carbon Edition gains wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, as well as wireless smartphone charging
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2024 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
Base 2.5 S trim discontinued
Carbon Turbo trim added to the lineup
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2023 Mazda CX-5
2022 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
All-wheel drive made standard
Revised front and rear styling
Minor suspension and power upgrades for sharper performance
Shuffled trim levels
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2021 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
New infotainment system with larger 10.25-inch screen
Remote monitoring and control available through a smartphone app
New Carbon Edition trim
Top Signature trim gained some new driver-assist features
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2020 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
More noise insulation added
More driver-assist features standard
Diesel engine dropped
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2019 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
Diesel engine added
Turbocharged engine added for top trims
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration available
Surround-view camera and ventilated front seats newly available
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2018 Mazda CX-5
2017 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
Redesigned for 2017 with evolutionary styling
Still sporty but more refined
2.0-liter four-cylinder dropped in favor of 2.5-liter four-cylinder
No more manual transmission
Upgraded interior materials
More comfortable to drive
Low-speed automatic emergency braking became standard
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Previous generation from 2013 - 2016
2016 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
More driver-assist features for base trim
Mild refresh before 2017 redesign
Improved interior materials
Revised suspension tuning
Updated infotainment interface with seven-inch screen and console rotary controller
New driver-assist options including adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane departure warning
Short 2016.5 model year included standard rearview camera
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2015 Mazda CX-5
Highlights
Keyless entry and start standard on Touring and Grand Touring models
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Looking for 2012 models or older?
CarMax only sells 2013 models and newer. But no matter the year, we'll happily buy your car.
Reliability
RepairPal gave the Mazda CX-5 an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Mazda CX-5 4th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Mazda CX-5 is $402, compared to an average of $494 for Midsize SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Mazda CX-5 owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.7 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Midsize SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 8% for the Mazda CX-5, compared to an average of 14% for Midsize SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Kirk Bell has been an automotive journalist since 2001, doing stints at Motor Authority, MSN Autos, and Consumer Guide. He's currently a freelance journalist with an interest in luxury and performance cars.
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