2025 Mazda CX-5

The base 17-inch alloy wheels look a bit small in the big wheel wells, though they’re wrapped in tires with more sidewall than what you’ll find in the tall 19-inchers. Vanity or ride quality, your choice. 

The cabin features a 10.3-inch touchscreen that sits low on the dash. There are plenty of buttons and knobs, but they’re nicely organized and fairly easy to sort through. 

While Mazda doesn’t offer a lot of interior color variation in each trim levels, overall there are some appealing choices here. We particularly like the Carbon Edition’s brown leather, while the nappa hides and real wood in the top Signature are particularly nice. 

How fast is the Mazda CX-5?

Base versions are all right in town and have a bit in reserve for highway passing. The 2.5-liter inline-4 musters 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque through a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, this engine can snarl and growl on occasion, particularly before it warms up. It can get loud when pressed, as well. 

Still, we’re not sure it’s worth the big extra cost to get the turbo, which needs premium fuel to make its full 256 hp. It’ll put out 227 hp on regular unleaded, which isn’t enough to justify the extra cost. Still, with 310 lb-ft of torque, it’s clearly the performance champ here. It’s far more impressive at highway speeds than the base engine, even if there’s some lag before the turbo spools up. 

No matter what’s underhood, the CX-5 has a sportier driving experience than its direct rivals. Its steering has quite a bit of heft and a granular feel that recalls some sports cars, including Mazda’s own Miata. While it definitely plows into corners when pushed and has plenty of body lean, the CX-5’s athletic responses definitely make it more entertaining than its peer group.

It rides far better on the standard 17-inch alloy wheels than the 19-inchers fitted to most trim levels. Those bigger wheels also transmit way more noise into the cabin.  

On paper, the rear seats have 40.0 inches of legroom, but someone should check Mazda’s tape measure. Tight door openings are an ominous start. There’s definitely not enough room for three abreast, and real-world legroom trails such spacious rivals as the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

The 31 cubic-foot cargo area is pretty good, and it grows to about double that when the rear seat backs are folded down.

The CX-5 has nice interior materials, even if only a handful of trims break out of the all-black or way-too-white interior hues that Mazda seems to love. That said, real leather finds its way into the lineup on just the third trim level, while the fanciest CX-5 has soft nappa hides and genuine wood. 

The 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is nothing special, though. 

Note that non-turbo and turbo versions have similar names, but they don’t necessarily mirror each other. 

Which Mazda CX-5 should I buy?

We’d bypass the base model for the 2.5 S Select with its power-adjustable driver’s seat, tinted rear windows, synthetic leather, proximity keyless entry, more speakers, rear-seat climate control vents and USB ports, and other niceties. It’s only $1,300 more, anyway. 

If you’re after something a bit dressier, the 2.5 S Preferred has a sunroof, a power tailgate, leather seats with memory for the driver, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a garage door opener. It’s priced at $32,670, which undercuts premium rivals.

From there, the CX-5 winds its way through two more non-turbo models. You’ll need at least $38,420 for the cheapest version with a turbo, the 2.5 Turbo Carbon Edition. That’s a lot of cash, but it’s pretty well-equipped with wireless smartphone mirroring, heated and cooled front seats, a surround-view camera system, 19-inch alloy wheels, and brown leather seats. 

How much is a fully loaded Mazda CX-5?

Mazda offers two other turbo models, culminating in the 2.5 Turbo Signature at a heady $42,020. That said, with its nappa leather seats, real wood trim, navigation, and head-up display, it’s nicely outfitted. But it’s also priced near some genuine luxury models.