Mazda CX-5 review

Driving position

There’s a reason the third-generation Mazda CX-5 looks so familiar – the Japanese company stuck to the same formula that made its predecessors so popular, with just some subtle updates.

For example, you still have that classic raised SUV driving position, but if never feels like you’re perched on top of the car, and the design of the cockpit gives you a bit more of a sporty, engaging feel.

Mazda actually raised the front end slightly too, so you can judge the corners more easily. Slimmer pillars and a lower dashboard open up the view, too.

Finding a comfortable position is easy with plenty of seating and steering wheel adjustment, and top-spec Homura models gets Mazda’s game-changing Driver Personalisation System, which automatically adjusts the seat, mirrors and head-up display based on the driver.

Tech and features

Mazda CX-5 trims

– Prime-Line

– Centre-Line

– Exclusive-Line

– Homura

The biggest improvement inside is the brand-new display, which uses a Google-based operating system. It means all your favourite apps, like Google Maps and even the Gemini AI voice assistant are right there in the screen.

It’s a perfectly reasonable 12.9 inches on all but top-spec Homura cars, which have an even bigger 15.6-inch display.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, but annoyingly, entry-level Prime-Line models don’t have wireless smartphone mirroring – you need to plug your phone in.

One of the biggest changes the new screen caused is the removal of physical climate control dials, but they’re always available via shortcuts on the bottom of the screen so it’s no issue.

All models but Prime-Line also have wireless phone charging.

On the whole, standard tech is otherwise strong across the range. Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line and Homura get a head-up display, keyless entry, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a powered boot lid.

360-degree parking cameras, heated rear seats and an electric panoramic sunroof are Exclusive-Line and Homura benefits, and adaptive headlights and cooled front seats are only found on Homura models.

Engines and power

Mazda CX-5 performance stats

– Power: 141hp

– 0-62mph: 10.5 to 10.9 seconds

– Top speed: Up to 116mph

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD)

Mazda’s massive engines are somewhat of a rarity these days – while other manufacturers are out there getting similar power figures from 1.0-litre turbocharged engines, the CX-5 gets 141hp from a 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G engine.

The upgrade over Mazda’s previous 2.0-litre engine is meant to provide more low-down torque to make everyday driving feel smoother.

No turbocharger is another rarity these days, but it makes power delivery feel positively predictable and linear.

There is a mild hybrid system, but its impacts on driving are negligible.

But – and it’s a big but – don’t expect any meaningful performance. 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds is slow by today’s standards, and it can feel pretty underwhelming. The AWD model is even slower.

The CX-5 does have some remaining petrol-powered rivals, like the 150hp Ford Kuga and the mild hybrid VW Tiguan, available with 130hp or 150hp. Those both use 1.5-litre engines, which feel lighter, nimbler and more economical.

But its key rivals are now hybrid-only, like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Kuga and Tiguan also have plug-in hybrid options, too.

There’s talk of a Skyactiv-Z hybrid engine being developed, and it could end up in the CX-5, but for now buyers are limited to just the one 141hp petrol.

If you want more choice (or more power), consider the bigger and more premium Mazda CX-60.

You’ll have the choice of a 327hp plug-in hybrid or a 3.3-litre straight-six mild hybrid diesel, with either 200hp or 254hp.

Handling and ride comfort

It gets better, because the CX-5 still feels more fun than many rivals to drive. Family SUVs are everywhere, and what sets this one apart is its accurate steering.

It’s no hot hatch, and 141hp is a testament to that, but the rigid body and steering definitely reward smooth, disciplined driving. It’s almost like you can carry more speed through corners.

Besides feeling more engaging, that’s also good for fuel economy because you’re not constantly accelerating and decelerating.

Still, it’s been softened slightly compared with CX-5s of old to deal with potholes, and additional sound insulation helps refinement at motorway speeds.

Exclusive-Line and Homura cars can be upgraded to all-wheel drive (AWD), which actively monitors road conditions to prevent wheel slippage, but most drivers will be perfectly fine with the front-wheel-drive variant.

Boot space

Mazda CX-5 boot space:

– Boot space: 583 litres

– Incl. rear seats folded: 2,019 litres

For a family SUV, the Mazda CX-5's dimensions are on the smaller side. The 583-litre boot is pretty average, and is about in-line with its hybrid Honda CR-V rival (587 litres).

But if you want more space, rivals like the Toyota RAV4 PHEV (672 litres) and VW Tiguan (652 litres) do have more space.

The best thing, though, is the 40:20:40 split seats. Each of the three rear seats fold down individually, so you can have two comfortable outer seats up and something longer running through the middle.

Rear seats

The distance between the front and rear wheels has been extended by 115mm which gives the CX-5 64mm more knee room. That’s a considerable increase.

Headroom is also up 29mm. Overall, rear-seat passengers are in for a comfortable journey.

If you’re more worried about child seat practicality, the rear doors also open 70mm wider, so it’s easier to lean in.

Storage solutions

Everything feels pretty standard in the CX-5 – a redesigned centre console offers cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad (where applicable), and the door bins are shaped for bottles.

For a family, you should have no problem finding a home for loose odds and ends.

Mazda CX-5 dimensions

– Height: 1,690mm

– Width: 2,077mm (incl. door mirrors)

– Length: 4,690mm

– Kerb weight: Up to 1,711kg

Towing

141hp doesn’t sound like much, and you won’t be winning any drag races if you’re in tow, but all CX-5 variants are rated to tow up to 2,000kg. That’s a reasonably heavy caravan or similar.

Safety

Mazda’s proud of its i-ACTIVSENSE safety tech, which relies on a network of cameras and sensors.

All models come with blind spot monitoring, front and rear cross traffic alert, emergency lane keeping, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and more.

Mazda’s Co-Pilot Concept tech also adds driver attention monitoring in line with other modern rivals.

The story is broadly a positive one, because there’s no safety kit paywalled to higher trim levels. So, kudos to Mazda.

Fuel economy

It’s a reasonably simple four-cylinder engine with no complex turbocharging, but Mazda has used 24V mild hybrid tech to slightly reduce emissions.

Cylinder deactivation also shuts down half the cylinders under light load to reduce fuel consumption.

But the CX-5 can only hide so much from its large 2.5-litre petrol engine, and the claimed 40.4mpg figure is probably more optimistic than realistic.

AWD models have a lower 37.7mpg rating.

VW gets 130hp or 150hp from a 1.5-litre mild hybrid in the Tiguan, so that will do around 47mpg per official tests. You can read our VW Tiguan review here.

Reliability

The mechanical simplicity really helps reliability, and the naturally aspirated engine has less to go wrong in the long run compared with more complex hybrid systems.

Mazda has built itself a strong reputation for long-term reliability, consistently finishing near the top of owner satisfaction surveys.

In 2025, the company doubled its warranty from the industry-average three years to six years, with a 100,000-mile cap.

It’s not quite the 10-year warranty you get with a Toyota (subject to annual servicing with Toyota), but it’s far better than most family SUVs.

Don’t forget, if you’re buying used you can also add cinchServicing to help keep costs more manageable while looking after your car long-term.