Our Opinion - 2025 Mazda Cx-5 Review The present Mazda CX-5 SUV has been made since 2017, which is a very long time in the car business. The CX-5 is still one of the most attractive and fun-to-drive small crossovers, even when compared to newer models. Even though the bigger and slightly more expensive CX-50 came out in 2023, Mazda didn’t make the CX-5 less popular to make room for it. Without a doubt, not. There are still eight trim levels to choose from: two four-cylinder engine choices (including a powerful turbocharged mill), front- or all-wheel drive, a luxurious interior, and a fun car to drive. The Mazda still has enough space for most people’s passengers and cargo, even though more practical rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 may be better. It’s one of the most appealing small crossovers for people who like to drive, especially because of how interesting it is to drive. What's New? The non-turbo Premium trim has been taken away, so the S trim has been added as a cheaper base model. The Carbon Edition version now has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The Premium Plus version has parking sensors and a camera system that covers the whole car. Additionally, all front seats in the CX-5 now support USB-C connectivity. Pros and Cons Pros The building on the outside is stylish. Good habits for driving. A long history of safety. Cons Getting old, and things are moving on. Not good at using fuel. Competitors see things more realistically. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The standard 187-hp four-cylinder engine in the CX-5 feels faster than it is because it responds so well to the throttle, whether you’re going around town or stopping at a red light. It goes faster when it needs more power, like when it’s trying to pass or move onto a freeway. We tried a version that was turbocharged and had 256 horsepower. It moved much faster. Each engine has all-wheel drive and a quick six-speed automatic gearbox. You don’t have to go fast to enjoy how great the CX-5 is. A great Sunday cruise is made possible by its smooth turns and careful driving. Still, it rides like a car twice as expensive and doesn’t make a sound when it hits an uneven road. There aren’t any other elements that can compare to this beautiful mix. The damping is neither stiff nor soft, there isn’t much road noise, and flaws in the ground are kept separate. The Mazda also really comes to life on winding roads. The turning that is helped by electricity works well. We tried the Signature model, which had a comfortable brake pedal that worked quickly without being too touchy. Safety The CX-5 comes with a full set of driver-assistance features as standard, and you can add more if you want to. The following safety factors are very important: Normal automatic emergency stopping with the detection of pedestrians. Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist are offered as standard. Most cars have variable cruise control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity Some people who wake up in one of the top-of-the-line CX-5 models think Audi or Mercedes have taken them. It feels very high-end because of its great shape and high-quality materials. For best comfort, the well-thought-out steering wheel is placed straight in front of the Driver instead of at an angle. The accelerator pedal is also hinged to the floor instead of being suspended above it, and all of the armrests in the front seats are the same height. The CX-5’s back seat is big enough for adults but could be more roomy. When we tested it, it could only fit nine pieces of carry-on baggage. Sacrifices come in small groups. However, having a completely flat luggage floor is good for the storage bay. In the cabin, you can also store your phone and other small things on a large tray at the front of the center console and a bin with a shelf that can be taken off. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The CX-5 comes with two engine choices that use less gas. The base 2.5-liter engine gets 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. This more powerful engine gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The regular engine got 32 mpg on our 75 mph highway test route, while the turbo four got 30 mpg. This is a component of our rigorous testing program. Infotainment and Connectivity All models have a 10.3-inch infotainment screen that is mostly controlled by a rotary controller and a volume knob in the center console. You can also use the buttons on the steering wheel and your mouth to control the interface. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are already installed on all versions. The CX-5 comes with Mazda Connected Services, which include a Wi-Fi hotspot that you can subscribe to and smartphone apps that let you control the features of the car from afar. Range, Charging, and Battery Life Invoice Pricing tested the CX-5 and reported that its base engine reached 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. It’s not very fast, but it beats the Toyota RAV4 by 0.2 seconds and is about the same speed as the Honda CR-V. The driver clearly favors the turbocharged engine, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds. Towing and Payload Capacity It can pull up to 2,000 pounds, which is more than some of its competitors, like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Honda CR-V. If you add the turbo engine, the bigger CX-50 can carry the same amount of stuff as the CX-5. It is capable of towing a trailer weighing up to 3,500 pounds. Price and How to Choose We think the Turbo Premium trim level is the best CX-5 overall. It has a better 256-hp supercharged engine that works better with its power and speed. The interior’s red stitching and highlights get it hotter, while the exterior’s gloss-black trim makes it look sporty and stylish.
