Mazda CX-5 Long-Term Review: It's a Bestseller for a Reason
Just before moving back to California, I purchased a (slightly) used Mazda CX-5 for my spouse. It was a Grand Touring trim, which is the current equivalent of the 2.5 S Premium Plus, with the 187-horsepower 2.5-liter engine. Very little has changed in the past few years other than some tech and interior upgrades. I should know; I've driven just about every version of the CX-5 in the past 12 years.
In that time, I've come to understand why Mazda is so near and dear to many automotive journalists, as the vast majority of my experience with the CX-5 has been overwhelmingly positive.
Mazda desperately needed a boost in sales, and in 2013, the first-generation CX-5 was the answer. While the earlier examples lacked a bit of power, that was addressed later on with the introduction of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, both the non-turbo and turbo variants. A six-speed automatic, though less impressive-sounding than eight—and nine-speed automatics, proved to be just as capable, efficient, and reliable as the competition.
At its peak in 2021, Mazda sold nearly 164,000 units in the United States. Since then, and since the recent addition of the Mazda CX-50, sales dropped to just over 134,000 in 2024. For a small automaker like Mazda, even last year's numbers are nothing to sneeze at. Still, the CX-50, which is also an excellent crossover, looks poised to take over the CX-5's limelight at Mazda.
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It's pretty simple: other than space and efficiency (depending on the competitors' trims), I felt that the CX-5 was far more engaging to drive. The predictive all-wheel drive (AWD) system, the steering feel and inputs, and the suspension calibration all surpass the competition, the latter of which is an outstanding compromise between comfort and performance.
I admit that one of the biggest issues is the tighter confines of the CX-5. The SUV has 29.1 cu. ft. of space behind the rear row and 58.1 cu. ft. with the rear row folded down. The Toyota RAV4 has 37.6 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the rear seats and 69.8 cu. ft. with all the seats folded. Finally, there's the Honda CR-V, with a best-in-class 39.3 cu. ft. behind the second row and 76.5 cu. ft. maximum. Even the back seats are more spacious in the competition than in the CX-5.
With all of that being said, my spouse has never struggled with commuting or hauling children and average-sized adults around. Considering my large size, it takes some teamwork to make sure that the person sitting behind me has enough space. Still, neither interior looks nor feels as good as the Mazda CX-5's cabin. Thoughtful touches, excellent material choices, and high-quality craftsmanship cannot be denied. The CX-5 is simply better.
Aside from the tight space inside the CX-5, some people are not hip with its UX, which is similar to BMWs. It has been updated over the years, and the recent addition of a nicely sized 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is welcomed by many. The old system, which my spouse has, requires a knob to navigate the screen, but now you can just simply touch the screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also new standard features that weren't available not that long ago.
Another issue that has a modern solution is the CX-5's towing capacity. It is only rated to tow up to 2,000 lbs, which isn't great as some vehicles in this class can tow 3,500 lbs. If you need to tow that much, the Mazda CX-50 (which is not much bigger than the CX-5) is rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped.
At just 7.9 inches high, the CX-5 is fairly low-slung, so despite its excellent AWD system, it should not go off-road. I've driven several CX-5s in the snow, and the ground clearance is just fine, but it can be a hindrance under some off-road conditions. Once again, leave that to the CX-50, which has better ground clearance.
Finally, there's the biggest issue: dealership support. The easiest way to explain this is that there are simply not enough dealerships for adequate nationwide coverage. This can be an issue when you are trying to schedule maintenance appointments, get parts, or simply find a local dealership. If you don't live in a major city, it can be a headache.
I do not regret my decision to buy our Mazda CX-5 one bit. My spouse, who drives like she has anger issues, has been relentless with the poor thing. Yet, it still drives like a brand-new car. Everything is well screwed together, and the performance is still spunky. I think it's a good-looking vehicle, too.
At the end of the day, I feel that any vehicle that's fun to drive is a good vehicle. One that's economical, reliable, and practical makes that choice even better. Honestly, the Mazda CX-5 is a hard vehicle to beat, and I'm curious how long Mazda will continue building it right next to its eventual replacement, the CX-50.
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