Mazda CX-5 Review (2017-present)

What is the Mazda CX-5?

The acronym may well stand for Sports Utility Vehicle, but SUVs aren’t very sporty very often. Small wonder, really; sports cars tend to be low and lithe, but the tall stance and high ground clearance you need for the ‘utility’ bit of the equation rather precludes that.

But there’s always an exception that proves the rule and, in this case, that’s the Mazda CX-5. This is, after all, a car engineered by the same people who came up with the sublime MX-5 sports car, and there’s more than a hint of that in the way the CX-5 drives.

There’s no seven-seat option, which puts the CX-5 at a disadvantage against cars such as the Skoda Kodiaq and the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace. What’s more, the 522-litre boot isn’t the biggest in the segment, and that sloping rear screen means that, even with the seats folded, you might struggle to squeeze in bulkier objects.

At least the rear seats split in a versatile 40/20/40 formation, and while they don’t slide back and forth as they do in some SUVs, you can choose between reclined seat backs for passenger comfort, or a more upright position to increase boot space without having to fully flatten the seats. There’s enough space in the back for two adults to sit comfortably, and even three will be fine on short journeys.

What's it like to drive?

From the slick, short gearchange in manual versions, to the excellent driving position, the direct and beautifully weighted steering, and the way it dives eagerly into every corner, the CX-5 is fabulously nimble, with far superior driving dynamics than rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and the Seat Ateca.

Of course, all this would be for nought were the CX-5 bad at an SUV’s principal raison d’etre, which is shuttling your family around in safety and ease, but it’s not bad at that, either. While perhaps not as comfortable as it is in some rivals, the ride is certainly supple enough for the job.

There’s a 163bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 2.2-litre diesel, which can be had in either 148bhp or 181bhp variants. Both the petrol and the least powerful diesel come with front-wheel drive, although if you opt for the more potent diesel, you get all-wheel drive thrown in.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

The CX-5 is as smart inside as it is outside, with a classy dashboard housing clear instrumentation and a central touchscreen system that’s very easy to use. It’s all put together well, too, with tactile materials and the sort of solid build quality that suggests you won’t hear any rattles for years to come.

There are three different trim levels to choose from: SE-L, Sport, and GT Sport. Some rival manufacturers have cheap entry-level models so they can boast of a low starting price. Mazda doesn’t do this, and every version of the CX-5 comes with lots of standard equipment. Even the SE-L has LED headlights, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control, while Sport adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and leather upholstery; GT Sport versions get a Bose sound system and adaptive headlights.

Mazda CX-5 running costs

It’s our recommended engine, the 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150, that offers the best fuel economy in the range. You should be able to bank on achieving around 40-45 mpg in day-to-day driving, which is reasonable, but it means the CX-5 isn’t the most fuel-efficient car in its class.

By comparison, you’ll struggle to get the more powerful AWD diesel above 40 mpg unless you’re on a gentle cruise, and don’t bank on getting any more than 35 mpg from the petrol.

Mazda’s servicing costs are a little pricier than, say, Ford’s or Vauxhall’s, but they’re cheaper than those of Mercedes or BMW. The same goes for parts and repair prices.

One cost you won’t have to worry about, though, is that of a replacement timing belt; the CX-5 is instead fitted with a metal timing chain, which should last the life of the car without needing to be changed.

Mazda CX-5 reliability

A petrol CX-5 shouldn’t incur too many other unforeseen costs, because it has a good reputation for reliability, finishing ninth out of 33 cars in the family SUV category of the 2024 What Car? 2024 reliability survey. However, the diesel CX-5 came 27th, and Mazda as a brand ranked a middling 16th out of 31 manufacturers.

It’s a bit of a shame that reputation isn’t backed up by a longer warranty, too. Mazda only offers three years and 60,000 miles, which is about the minimum you can get away with these days. Others like Kia, Hyundai and Toyota offer far longer warranties.