2024 MAZDA CX-5

Despite this generation having launched for the 2017 model year, the stylish, fun-to-drive, richly appointed CX-5 remains one of our higher-rated compact SUVs. Mazda packs it with current technology, and its safety scores are also impressive.

Beyond those matter-of-fact metrics, though, the CX-5 retains an X-factor. Attributes that won’t go onto a spreadsheet, yet could sway the buying decision in its favor. Most of these plus points center around the way it looks and the way it drives. In both aspects, people’s tastes will vary, but we like them both. A lot. And we’re not alone, as the CX-5 is Mazda’s best-seller and our consumer reviews have a lot of good things to say.

We’ve tested more than a dozen versions of this generation Mazda CX-5, including the top-of-the-line 2024 CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature seen here in Rhodium White Metallic with a sticker price of $42,705. 

One trim comes in, the Carbon Turbo. One trim goes out, the erstwhile entry-level S. The Carbon Turbo version offers exclusive interior and exterior color schemes. The base engine receives what Mazda calls i-Stop technology, an engine stop/restart function to save a little fuel. The company claims an improvement of 2 mpg on average. A new generation is expected either next year or the year after.

The CX-5 remains competitive against its rivals. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 start at close to $30K. The Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, and Subaru Forester all begin at around $27K. The slightly larger, more outdoorsy Mazda CX-50 starts in the $30K region.

Before buying a new CX-5 SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are above average, similar to the CR-V, RAV4, and Forester.

Lower trims of the 2024 CX-5 have a 187-horsepower engine — that’s similar to the main rivals. It enables a leisurely standstill-to-60 mph time of about eight seconds — again, much like the rest of the compact SUV troop. The CX-5 does have something else going for it, though.

People who hate driving should buy the 2024 CX-5. So should those who love driving. Just because — like every other Mazda — the CX-5 has a reputation for being an enthusiast’s choice, 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 highway driving assistance. The adaptive cruise control is good, but the available steering assist only works at speeds up to 35 mph. That’s better than nothing, but the CX-5’s key competitors can shoulder most of the steering at highway speeds, too.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of compact SUVs, including the Mazda CX-5.

Fuel Economy

Now that the base engine has a stop/restart function (Mazda calls it i-Stop technology), fuel economy is a little better than last year. It achieves 28 combined mpg (26 city, 31 highway). Regular 87-octane gasoline is fine. That combined mpg figure beats the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, but otherwise just reduces the gap to the other contenders. The turbocharged alternative returns 24 combined mpg (22 city, 27 highway).

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 supportive and comfortable over several stretches of more than 100 miles, and we like that the wireless charging pad is situated in such a way that placing and retrieving your phone involves a more natural motion than many others.

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.

A few minor shortcomings: The rearward placement of the otherwise accommodating cupholders isn’t ideal, even the top-tier Bose sound system is just okay, and there’s no
hands-free tailgate functionality.

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.

The new-for-2024 Carbon Turbo trim offers exclusive colors of Zircon Sand Metallic or Rhodium White Metallic, contrasted with black elements including 19-inch alloy wheels.

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. And it can revert to front-wheel drive for optimum fuel economy. Even when charged with managing the turbo engine’s 310 lb-ft of torque on wet roads, the all-wheel drive system helped provide plenty of surprisingly drama-free acceleration.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Smartphone 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 2024 CX-5 steer around a corner with utmost efficiency and stability.

Reclining rear seats
Admittedly, there are other compact SUVs with more rear passenger space, but at least the rear seats in the 2024 CX-5 can recline, enhancing comfort.

Volume control
This is one of those minor things that make a major difference. It’s mounted on the center console, precisely where your right hand falls automatically.

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 monitors alert you to a hidden vehicle via a light in or near the sideview mirrors. This CX-5 does that, but it also includes an indicator in the head-up display (when so equipped), so you don’t have to move your head an inch to know if there’s a bogey in your blind spot.

Most versions of the 2024 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 187 horsepower and 185 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 lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Roadside assistance is included. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These terms are typical for the class.

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, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

What CX-5 Owners Are Saying

Owners have contributed more than a hundred reviews of the second-generation CX-5. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with an overall rating of 4.4 out of five stars and 85% of contributors recommending the vehicle.

Owners love the way it drives

• “Slicing through the Colorado canyons is a blast, it feels like a sports car.”
• “The base engine CX-5 has repeatedly demonstrated more than enough power to easily pass anything else when needed.”
• “The automatic transmission is probably the best I’ve driven. It downshifts at the slightest provocation and never hunts for gears.”
• While the CX-5’s base engine delivers about the same power as its respective competitors, a handful of owners expressed a desire for greater acceleration. This is easily remedied (at the time of purchase, anyway), by opting for the turbocharged engine, which is among the most powerful engines in the segment. But most buyers stick with the more affordable, more efficient base engine.

Owners love the value relative to luxury brands

• “I definitely got an SUV that looks and feels like a top-dollar vehicle without having paid top dollar.”
• “The CX-5 provides all of the creature comforts and features of a luxury crossover without paying the premium for the badge.”
• “Aesthetically, this is probably the sexiest car you could call an SUV.”
• The few owners coming straight from luxury vehicles were less likely to be impressed by the CX-5. While the CX-5 is in many ways the compact SUV category’s most premium entry, it isn’t as smooth, quiet, or refined as true luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 or Genesis GV70, for instance. It’s just far more affordable.

Owners love the interior

• “Knobs, screens, and data are exactly where they should be with no stupid distractions or attempts to make you feel like you’re in a night club when you’re driving to work.”
• “The 40/20/40 folding rear seatback setup turns out to be really useful for me, and the release levers in the trunk will make you wonder why all cars don’t have them. I only wish the headrests folded down automatically.”
• “Trunk space easily fits four large (60-liter) hiking packs or, with the rear seats down, two bikes.”
• While several reviewers acknowledge that the CX-5 falls short of most compact SUVs when it comes to cargo capacity, none reported an instance of actually running out of room.