2025 MAZDA CX-5

The CX-5 is Mazda’s best-selling vehicle. That comes as no surprise to us, because we’ve driven several versions and given every one of them a thumbs-up. Nor will it surprise the many owners who have contributed to our reviews pages, singing the CX-5’s praises: “Feels like a top-dollar vehicle… feels like a sports car… all the creature comforts.” That’s just a small selection of plaudits.

Mazda launched this generation of CX-5 for the 2017 model year, so it’s not exactly cutting-edge. But the more timeless qualities of fit, finish, fun, and finesse are still in abundance.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact SUVs, including the Mazda CX-5.

After a year away, the 2.5 S returns as the base model. A pair of USB-C ports up front become standard equipment. And the 2.5 S Premium Plus version gains a 360-degree camera system, plus parking sensors front and rear. An all-new generation of CX-5, offering a hybrid drivetrain, is meant to be arriving at some point. Perhaps in time for the 2026 model year.

We’d be inclined to go for the one-up-from-base 2.5 S Select, which is the most popular choice.

Other top-selling compact SUVs include the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and the Kia Sportage, all of which start in a similar financial ballpark. Unlike those rivals and most others in which all-wheel drive costs extra, it’s standard on the Mazda CX-5 (as it also is in the Subaru Forester).

Before buying a new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Resale values are comfortably above the class average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Lower trims of the 2025 CX-5 have a 187-horsepower engine — that’s similar to the main rivals. It enables a 0-to-60 mph time of about eight seconds — again, much like the rest of the compact SUV troop and adequate for most drivers’ needs. The CX-5 does have something else going for it, though.

People who hate driving should buy the CX-5 — so should those who love driving. Just because the CX-5 has a reputation for being an enthusiast’s choice (like every other Mazda), that doesn’t mean its appeal is limited. We’ve found the ride quality comfortable, with well-calibrated responses. There’s the raised driving position loved by so many. And we think the ergonomics are spot-on, working just as well for the soccer parent as the corner-carver.

The base engine is punchy enough for most occasions and the brakes feel confident. The clever thing about the CX-5, though, is when the driver decides to work it a little harder, perhaps chooses the excellent 256-horsepower turbocharged engine (most competitors don’t offer a more powerful option), and heads down some back roads. That’s when another character emerges. It’s composed, precise, agile, and involving. It has to be said that compact SUVs are not generally celebrated for being fun machines, but the CX-5 can definitely fill that niche.

We do wish the CX-5 offered more robust driving assistance. The adaptive cruise control is absolutely fine, but the steering assistance only works at speeds up to 35 mph. Better than nothing, we guess, but the CX-5’s key competitors can handle freeway speeds as well.

Fuel Economy

This aspect isn’t a CX-5 strength. The base engine achieves 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is a little thirstier than an equivalent Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The CX-5’s turbocharged engine runs to 24 mpg combined.

One word describes the cabin: smart. There’s an intelligent layout, quality materials, refined designs, and excellent fit and finish. The higher trims could easily be mistaken for something expensive and German.

Standard equipment in the Select trim includes heated front seats (the driver’s is also power-adjustable), simulated leather seating surfaces, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Some vehicles use shift-by-wire setups for their transmissions, where the driver has to press buttons instead of moving a lever. The CX-5 keeps things traditional and plenty of people can be happy about that, since they won’t have to learn how to do things differently.

We’ve found the front seats extremely comfortable and supportive, even after 100 miles behind the wheel. And we like that the wireless charging pad is situated in such a way that placing and retrieving a phone involves a more natural motion than in many other vehicles.

The CX-5 trails much of the competition in terms of rear legroom and cargo space, but it’s still sufficiently roomy for most purposes. Maybe not for transporting an antique wardrobe, but fine for a few Swedish flatpacks. None of our owner reviews reported any instance of actually running out of room.

Some minor shortcomings — the rearward placement of the otherwise accommodating cupholders isn’t ideal. The top-tier Bose audio system is just okay. And there’s no hands-free tailgate function.

We think the CX-5’s exterior design is a highlight of the compact SUV class. Compared with virtually every rival, the CX-5 looks as if it should be a premium vehicle. Because there’s an acute understanding of how lines, shapes, proportions, and reflections all interact. There’s nothing clumsy about the CX-5.

All-wheel drive
As well as being standard equipment, this intelligent all-wheel-drive system can send power to different wheels, according to the needs of the moment. Even when managing the turbo engine’s substantial 310 lb-ft of torque on wet roads, this system contributes to plenty of drama-free acceleration. And it can revert to front-wheel drive for optimum fuel economy.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Phone integration is standard in every new CX-5 compact SUV. And the infotainment system has a decent-sized 10.25-inch display. Wi-Fi is included as well.

G-Vectoring Control Plus
This standard feature can adjust engine power and apply subtle braking to help the 2025 CX-5 steer around a corner with utmost efficiency and stability. It might sound complicated, but we’ve found that it happens without the driver really feeling it.

Volume control
This is one of those minor things that, in our experience, make a major difference. It’s mounted on the center console, precisely where your right hand falls automatically, which saves looking for it, or trying to scroll through an infotainment menu.

Auto Hold
Auto brake hold is another simple thing, but we appreciate it all the same. The driver doesn’t have to hold the vehicle on the brake pedal when stationary. It just makes life a little easier.

Enhanced blind-spot awareness
Most blind-spot monitoring systems alert the driver to unseen vehicles with a light in or near the corresponding side mirror. The CX-5 does that, while adding an indicator in the optional head-up display.

Most versions of the 2025 CX-5 compact SUV — whenever there’s a 2.5 S in the name — have a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making an adequate 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque.

The three highest trims enjoy a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. They also have the word “turbo” in their names. This unit develops 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gas, or 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium 93-octane gas.

In each case, a 6-speed automatic transmission is deployed. In this era of 8-speed units, a mere six ratios might appear old-school. But Mazda says that as long as they’re the correct ones, they’ll do the job just fine.

All-wheel drive is standard in every new CX-5 SUV.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Mazda’s new-vehicle warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for mainstream manufacturers, although Hyundai and Kia do better.

Safety Ratings

The CX-5 has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and took the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, plus blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.