The Mazda CX-5 is the brand's first model to use the KODO – Soul of Motion design language and the automaker's range of SkyActiv fuel-saving and weight-saving technologies. The Japanese automaker's best-selling vehicle in the United States, the CX-5 owes its success to the attractive design in and out, good fuel efficiency and practicality, as well as a fun-to-drive character.
PROS & CONS
Pros
Strong Points
- Roomy, Practical Interior
- Good To Drive
- Excellent Safety Record
- Refined, Frugal Diesel Engine (Europe)
Recommended Versions
- Mazda Cx-5 2.5 (U.s.)
- Mazda Cx-5 Diesel (Europe)
- Mazda Cx-5 Diesel (Europe)
Cons
Weak Points
- Above-Average Wind And Road Noise
- Weak Acceleration With Base Gasoline Engine
- Slightly Firm Ride
Stay Away From
- Optional 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
Attention
Known Problems & Recalls
- There Have Been No Recalls For The Mazda Cx-5 So Far.
CAR DETAILS
Drive
Powertrain
The Mazda CX-5 offers two naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines in the United States – a 2.0-liter with 155 hp and a 2.5-liter with 184 hp. From the 2016 model year, the less powerful engine comes with a six-speed manual transmission, while the more powerful unit is only available with an optional six-speed auto. All-wheel drive capability is only possible with the 184 hp engine. The standard unit is a little underpowered for the CX-5, so the more potent engine is a better choice if you're comfortable with the added costs. European markets also get a 2.2-liter diesel offered in two states of tune: 150 PS and 175 PS.
Handling
The Japanese compact SUV has a nicely set up chassis that favors sporty handling. It's without a doubt among the most fun to drive models in the mainstream compact crossover segment. The steering, brakes and suspension offer precise feedback, and the ride delivers a reasonable compromise between handling and comfort. Still, some drivers may consider the suspension setup too firm. There is nothing to worry about, though. AWD versions offer more grip but are only available with the top engine and the automatic transmission.
Safety
The Mazda CX-5 is one of the safest models in the compact SUV segment. IIHS gave it the "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with the crossover receiving the maximum "Good" rating for all impact scenarios, as well as a "Superior" rating for Front Crash Prevention. The NHTSA also gave the CX-5 an overall five-star rating, with five stars each for frontal crash and side crash, as well as four stars for rollover. In Europe, the CX-5 also received five stars from Euro NCAP, with a 94 percent rating for adult occupant protection, 87 percent for child occupant, 64 percent for pedestrian and 86 percent for safety assist systems.
Interior
Comfort
Although the suspension is rather firm, it doesn't affect comfort, regardless of the road surface. Finding a good driving position is easy, thanks to the adjustments for the seat and steering wheel. The front seats are very comfortable, but some reviewers have complained about a lack of thigh support, which can be an issue on long trips. The central control layout is easy to use while visibility is improved by the car's raised ride height. However, rear visibility suffers a little because of the thick C-pillars, which is why all models come with rear parking sensors as standard.
Quality
The cabin's traditional design caters to all tastes but the overall fit and finish lags behind top competitors. The materials are not of the highest quality, although they do feel strong and sturdy. Things have improved with the refreshed 2016 model, which has received extra soft-touch plastics and stylish metallic or piano black accents. The black gauges with white lettering look good and are easy to read while the rotary dials have a premium look and feel.
Practicality
The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most spacious cars in its class and can accommodate five passengers and their luggage in comfort. Headroom and legroom are good in the front and rear, but the back seat gets rather cramped with three adult passengers. Touring and Grand Touring trim levels feature an innovative folding mechanism which lowers the bottom of the rear seat to before folding the seat back on top to provide a near-flat load floor. When all seats are upright, cargo space is a generous 34.1 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded, volume grows to 64.8 cubic feet.
Infotainment
With the refreshed 2016 model, the automaker has introduced a significantly improved infotainment system. The new version features a larger 7-inch screen (instead of the previous 5.8-inch display), as well as an intuitive multifunction control knob which reminds of BMW's iDrive. It's one of the best systems available in this segment. If you don't want to access the car's basic functions through the infotainment system, there are also dedicated buttons for the audio, navigation and climate control system.
Budget
Efficiency
The most economical model is the base CX-5 equipped with the 2.0-liter engine, manual transmission and front-wheel drive. It returns 29 mpg combined (26 mpg city/35 mpg highway). The version featuring the larger 2.5-liter engine mated to a six-speed auto and front-wheel drive also returns 29 mpg combined (26 mpg city/33 mpg highway). The all-wheel-drive version in combination with the 2.5-liter unit and six-speed auto averages 26 mpg combined (24 mpg city/30 mpg highway). In Europe, the most fuel-efficient version is the 150 PS diesel with manual transmission and front-wheel drive, which averages 4.6 l/100 km.
Equipment
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 is available in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels, with each one offering a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The base Sport version comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, as well as a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB connection, among other features. Standard features also include a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.
Acquisition
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport starts from $21,795 in the United States (including $880 destination), making it significantly more affordable than VW's 2016 Tiguan S 2.0L TSI, which starts at $24,890 (excluding destination). However, the Tiguan comes with a more powerful 200 hp engine and four-wheel drive as standard. The CX-5 is also cheaper than the 2016 Ford Escape S, which starts at $23,100 (excluding destination). The Escape comes with a 168 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The CX-5's competitive pricing, fuel-efficient powertrains and overall quality make it one of the most attractive models in the segment.