2023 Mazda CX-5

Pros:

• A dynamic way of driving
• Attractive and stylish cabin
• There is an option for a potent turbocharged engine.
• Quiet when going on the highway

Cons:

• The base engine moves slowly.
• The ride is stiff for a car in this class.
• Compared to most of its rivals, it has less space for cargo and less legroom in the back.

How do you move the CX-5? While the CX-5 is moving, the slow acceleration of the base engine makes it hard to pass on the highway. It does much better from a complete stop. It took 8.7 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph on our test track, which is about average for competitors with a base engine. The CX-5 can reach 60 mph in 6.6 seconds if it has the optional turbocharged engine.

The CX-5 is excellent at how it drives. Because it is fast and can talk, you can turn faster than your competitors without making noise or feeling out of control. Rapid changes from left to right don’t have much effect on the car. This little crossover drives the best without question.

How does the CX-5 feel? Most of the time, the front seats are well-shaped and comfortable. The flat floor of the back bench seat may make long-distance travel uncomfortable for people sitting there. However, the back of the rear seat is removable so that you may swap it out for something more supportive.

The CX-5 has a firm but not uncomfortable ride. The CX-5 doesn’t care about bumps in the middle of corners, and it never feels like it’s floating. Any problems with the roads are fixed right away. Only when the car is going fast on the highway can cabin noise be heard. Still, you won’t have to yell to talk with other people.

What’s the inside like? All controls are easy to reach, and the interior is made with the driver in mind. The Mazda CX-5 has roomy front seats and enough headroom for tall people. The curved outboard seats, which also make it hard for an adult to sit in the middle chair, may make people in the back feel crowded. There is little room for legs in the back.

This car has excellent visibility with its big windows, low pillars, and high driving position. Even though the back windows are a little smaller than those of competitors, they give you enough visibility and make it easier to see over your shoulder. The resolution of the backup camera is excellent.

How are the tools? Overall, the infotainment system is easy to use, and the 10.25-inch screen looks good and bright. The navigation system that is built in is straightforward to use. When a CX-5 has a head-up display, turn instructions can be shown on the windshield. Mazda’s voice control system works by recognizing everyday speech. It helps enter addresses, make phone calls, and listen to terrestrial radio stations.

Even though the CX-5 has better driver aids, they don’t always help. The low-pitched buzzing sound that the lane departure warning system makes gets your attention immediately. On the other hand, the blind-spot monitor is very sensitive and can go off even when passing cars many car lengths behind.

What is the situation with the storage? We could fit two large pieces of luggage in the CX-5’s cargo space, even though it was a bit smaller than those in other cars. Due to the extended maximum opening height of the liftgate and higher cargo floor height, the Honda CR-loading V’s entrance is a bit narrower. A lot of personal effects can be stored in the cabin.

A small kid? The car seat anchors can be reached through four holes on the outside seats. The anchors are slightly set back but easy to push through the slots. Even with the cargo cover on, it’s easy to get to the seatback tethers. To get to the rope, push down on the plastic tab that keeps everything hidden.

How quickly does it burn fuel? The EPA estimates that a front-wheel-drive CX-5 with the standard engine will achieve 26 miles per gallon in a combination of city and highway driving. On our mixed-driving test route of 115 miles, our AWD CX-5 got 28.8 mpg, so you can expect to get the same. Still, a few of the best competing crossover SUVs get better gas mileage.

Is it wise to buy the CX-5? There are no parts of the CX-5 that feel cheap. All materials are high-quality, including the optional leather upholstery, buttons, and controls. The only problem is that the side bolsters, which are flexible, sometimes rub on the center console. All the other things are great. When the CX-5 is fully loaded, it may be cheaper than top-tier competitors. Typical for the class, there is no free maintenance, and warranty coverage is also expected.

The shark-like nose of the CX-5 makes an immediate impression. When you get inside, you’ll see that the cabin is so well made that it shames all other cars in this class. Few crossovers have the adventurous spirit of the CX-5.

We like the CX-5’s turbocharged engine, but the 2.5 S Select trim is easier to find and starts at a lower price. It has almost all of the basic features of a small SUV, plus some nice extras like heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry.

Mazda CX-5 variations

The Mazda CX-5 2023 comes in eight different model levels: the 2.5 S, the 2.5 S Select, the 2.5 S Preferred, the 2.5 S Carbon Edition, the 2.5 S Premium, 2.5S Premium Plus, 2.5T, and 2.5T Signature. The “2.5” shows how big the engine is. Most cars have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder machine with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque as standard equipment. The 2.5 Turbo and 2.5 Turbo gasoline Signature grades make 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular octane gasoline. If you use 93-octane gasoline, those numbers go up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft. All Mazda CX-5s come with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission with six speeds.