2024 MAZDA CX-5 Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I just purchased a 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD with all the bells and whistles and I must say - wow - color me very impressed. I have only put about 150 miles on it so far, but in this short time it has been nothing short of stunning. This vehicle hits way above its weight class, it feels more like an 80k SUV rather than a 40k SUV. In typical Mazda fashion (and like the previous generation CX-5), the driving dynamics are simply spectacular for a crossover. It handles like it weighs a thousand lbs less than it does, the electric-steering actually has some tactile feedback that most other numb electric steering vehicles simply lack, and bonus - the ride is substantially improved over the last generation CX-5. No more jolting shots through the spine when hitting a bump or a pot hole. But that handling - wow. Slicing through the Colorado canyons is a blast, it feels like a sports car. But this is nothing new for Mazda. Then there is all the little things - refinement details that only a small company like a Mazda can do that the large companies seem to miss for the same price category; great soft interior materials all around, excellent french stitching, perfectly centered steering wheel, well placed knobs and buttons, multiple USB ports both front and back, heated seats, heated mirrors, heated steering wheel, and everything inside just feels like it was designed to revolve around the driver. The amount of sound deadening they used vs the previous gen has really paid off as well, as the road noise is basically nill and the engine noise is lessened. The 2.5L Skyactiv naturally-aspirated inline 4 in this refresh has a beautiful throaty sound for a 4-banger, and it pulls very linearly on both ends. Throttle response from a dead stop is a bit laggy requiring more throttle than I prefer, but I am hoping a custom tune helps with that. Other than that, this engine has plenty of pickup, so I am not really quite sure why it gets panned so much for not having enough power - it has plenty to move this machine around. Oh and the transmission has been excellent so far - very firm quick shifts without a hint of harshness. Where it really stands out over the previous gen though is in the technology. Beautiful 7 widescreen display on the dash operated by a dial on the center console (simply the easiest way to use such a system), backup camera and GPS navigation that shows on display, stop & go radar that really works, automatic high/low beam LED adaptive headlights that bend with the turn, and an active heads-up display that projects the vehicle speed onto the windshield. It will even display upcoming road signs on the windshield, as well as upcoming turns and distance until target for the navigation. It has lane-assist and blind spot technology too, but I find most of that to be more annoying than helpful. Thankfully nearly everything can be enabled or disabled in the settings, along with various sensitivity settings. Overall after spending many years previously driving boring and bland crossovers, this SUV just makes driving FUN again. Do yourself a favor - even if have a recent previous gen CX-5 - and run over to your local Mazda dealer for a test drive. You wont regret it.
VS
Critical Review
Because of all the great online reviews and hype, I really wanted to love this car but I ended up trading it after only 2 months. This is the only car I have ever traded so soon after buying it. I usually keep my cars for 8-10 years. Thinking that my old BMW could have potential engine problems, I traded it for the CX-5 signature thinking that is was a good choice and great value for all the features. But I soon found out that I was so wrong. The CX-5 features starting getting on my nerves. The heads-up display was distracting, the beeping from the safety features were annoying (I don't like a bossy car!), the non-touch screen was frustrating, the cup holders were in a bad place, the armrest was too short that I couldn't use it--it's positioned too far back for a female driver, the seats are too straight that I would slide while making turns, the window line is too high--it's too small going through a drive-thru as there is not a good clearance to receive orders, the back windows do not fully roll down, it does not have knee airbags, the heated steering wheel only partially heats—I would touch cold parts during backing out, the key fob is a cheap quality with small buttons on the side that are difficult to see, the car is a gas guzzler with a small gas tank (I didn't like all the extra stops for gas and the flimsy gas lid), the turbo lags, the ride is bumpy, the interior paint around the inside doors is cheap and does not have a gloss coat like the car exterior, the wheel wells have cheap felt inside them making them difficult to clean, the interior lighting is poor even with the included floor lighting in the signature, and the driver's side leather seat was starting to wrinkle after only 2 months! Also, I did not like the goofy grin on the grill of the car. The worst part was the dark and depressing interior. The size of the sunroof was incredibly disappointing. I didn't realize how much I'd miss having a panoramic sunroof. I honestly started to hate this car and could not wait to get rid of it. I looked at several luxury SUVs, and ended up trading the CX-5 for another (new) BMW X3. Thankfully, I pay cash for my cars so it was an easy trade-in. The BMW drives like a dream with a smoother transmission and ride, much better build quality, has a light interior with lots of lighting including ambient, a panoramic sunroof, and a bigger gas tank with better gas mileage. I'm so happy driving it! Got a great deal. It didn't cost much more than a CX-5 signature. I'd rather have a true luxury vehicle for this price range. I won't make that mistake again.
2024 CX-5 Reviews
Showing 8 of 163 reviews.
We love our CX5! It's quick, responsive and fun to drive. Plenty of power with the turbo and the interior looks much more upscale and of higher quality than any of its competitors. I love everything about it except for the leather seats. They are not comfortable on long drives and have very little cushion. But, all in all a very good vehicle that I would highly recommend.
Bought a new 2025 CX-5 Turbo Premium (over the CX-50 due to some seat issue I had in the CX-50). Turns out that there is a different seat issue in the CX-5. THere is a hard lump on the seat bottom where it meets the seat back. It pressed into my tailbone causing a presure point. I readjusted several times but after driving it for 2100 miles, its causing pressure and burning on my sit bones (no...its not the heated seat element). I've tried readjusting many times, now I have a seat cushion on it - but thats causing other issues. Dealership wasnt helpful since the seat was just like the others. I've opoened up a complaint with mazda corporate.
I purchased my CX-5 NA Perferred pkg new. I now have 77k and only issues so far is the driver headlight which was covered under my warranty and the thermostat which was covered under recall. Otherwise regular maintenance and it’s been super reliable. Would recommend. I live in SD with snow and ice, handles great! The seats are uncomfortable. It could be a littler bigger in the back seat so it not for adults in the back, small kids only. But otherwise I have zero complaints. Love it!!
The front seats are to close together my wife and I are both average to small people and we still bump elbows. The steering is to tight one little look in a direction and your car is in another lane. The great reviews this car gets are I believe not warranted,the garage door opener button does not even light up at night how are we supposed to see the button. The smart cruise brakes to hard if a car in front slows down and no bluetooth apple or android car connection also no satellite radio connection.
Very solid car.
This is the 2nd CX-5 I had. Always a comfortable and a feel great car to drive for a tall person to drive.
When I bought the car, it had 24000 miles on it, and right now it has 46000 miles on it, and the car drives amazing. Very good car, so far. It's the reserve model so it has a lot of bells and whistles which are really? I didn't want, but it's real good so far, very reliable. I couldn't beat the price at the time. So I bought it and couldn't be happier. The turbocharged engine is amazing. Really quick As long as you do, the oil changes, I don't see any problems with it at all. I've done a lot of research.
Mazda Zoom Zoom, reliable, comfortable, fun to drive, looks great!
Not as much storage space as othe compacr SUV's, gas mileage not wonderful
I bought a 2025 CX-5 S Select model with AWD 2 weeks ago, trading in my 2020 CX-5 with FWD. This is my 3rd CX-5, so you know I like them. With the small engine, they're not real speedy cars, but they've got some pep that Mazda is known for and are fun to drive. I've never wished for more power. I have only driven about 250 miles in my new car, but both my 2020 and 2025 cars seem to drive the same. My 2025 S Select model is one step above Mazda's base S level. I did not need AWD, but Mazda gave me no choice. Seems all CX-5's are AWD since 2022. My trade-in's exterior was a pretty red. Just for a change though, my new car's exterior is Platinum Quartz color, which is a kind of a champagne color, or very light gold. My new car has Apple CarPlay, which I like because I can play my favorite radio stations off of my IPhone now wherever I drive, plus use Apple's map to navigate. My new CX-5 doesn't have the engine cylinder deactivation feature or Mazda I-Stop feature, nor did any of my other CX-5's, thank goodness. Some of the more expensive models do, to improve gas mileage, I presume. That's all for now.
Reliable, low maintenance, stylish and comfortable
Some features needed a little extra thought, Mazda seems to be easily overlooked
Though it may not be the first model that comes to mind, Mazda has continued to sneak into the ranks for its performance, reliability, and comfort across the board. The 2020 CX-5 is no exception. While I have considered trading up for something else, I cannot seem to bring myself to give mine up. The 2020 cx-5 does not disappoint in most areas and I have yet to have any issues come up during the last 3 years with mine. It seems to have an appropriate amount of space for my family of 4, whether we are staying local or when traveling to neighboring states. One of my few complaints has to do with the placement of the volume/radio controls. Having them down in the center console area was hard to get used to and inconveniently at risk of getting sticky from the neighboring cup holders. I also, never fail to place my handbag down onto the mute knob. The factory sound is impressive and though I was not a huge fan of the spoked rim look, the Mazda cx-5 blends in quite well and always seems to avoid looking dated. This car could easily be a favorite amongst drivers with its quiet luxury that is both low maintenance and dependable. My CX-5 features an after market remote start that has become a non negotiable for any future vehicles. The cargo area boasts enough space to remain practical and the backseats provide ample leg space and vents to keep your back seat passengers comfortable no matter the outside temperature. I do wish there was some standard tint from the factory but that does seem very low on the list of priorities considering how many boxes Mazda does tend to check off. They got it right with this one and I can very much see myself as a repeat buyer for Mazda makes and their lineup continues to hold my interest as the years move along.
