Success hasn’t spoiled the Mazda CX-5

Sometimes you just don’t mess with success. Case in point – the Mazda CX-5. The current CX-5 crossover has been in production since 2017, an eternity in the car business, yet it continues to be the brand’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S., despite the addition of the more capable CX-50 to the Mazda lineup. The small and agile, but practical and fun CX-5 seems to check all the right boxes for anyone that enjoys spirited driving but must keep those responsibilities in check. Although little has changed for the 2025 CX-5, it is always worth looking at.

Coming in above the pint-size CX-30 yet below the larger CX-9, the CX-5 continues to be a little sport-utility-vehicle with most of its emphasis on sport and less on utility. The CX-50, which is about the same size as the CX-5 is styled and packaged for a more outdoorsy type of buyer. Mazda claims that the targeted audience for the CX-5 are young families who would rather have a sports sedan over an SUV but realize that they need some form of utility. Well, if that’s the case, the CX-5 is just what they are after.

Mazda offers two powerplants for the CX-5. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder rated at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine powers the entry-level S, S Select, S Preferred, S Carbon Edition and S Premium Plus. Optional is a more powerful version of the same engine – a turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactive that makes 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The engine comes in the Carbon Turbo, Turbo Premium and Turbo Signature trim levels and is the same powerplant used in the larger CX-9. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission available for the CX-5, regardless of engine. EPA rates the turbo CX-5 at 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The base engine is rated slightly better at 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Every Mazda CX-5 comes standard with all-wheel drive.

Value is a key feature with the CX-5 and that is highlighted in the base S model. Coming in at under $30,000, the S is nicely decked out with 17-inch wheels, push-button ignition, 10.25-inch touchscreen display as well as blind-spot monitoring. Moving up to the S Select adds in keyless entry, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual zone climate control, and rear vents. The S Preferred makes the scene with a power lift gate, sunroof and power passenger seat. The S Carbon Edition is an S Preferred but with special paint and 19-inch wheels and either a red or black leather interior. The S Premium Plus gets fancy with a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a heads-up display and power folding mirrors.

On to the Turbo, along with the more powerful engine the CX-5 Carbon Turbo gets black wheels and a wireless charging pad. The Turbo Premium gets heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel while the top-of-the-line Turbo Signature gets LED ambient interior lighting, wood trim, 360-degree camera and parking sensors.

For 2025, the previous base 2.5 S Premium trim level has been dropped. Otherwise, the CX-5 remains unchanged.

For the average driver, the 187 hp Skyactive four-cylinder is adequate for the CX-5. But who doesn’t want more power? With the turbo and its 227 hp, and more importantly, the 319 lb-ft of torque it creates, it really makes this little SUV scoot. It can hit 60 mph in just a tick over 6 seconds – which, when compared to the base engine equipped CX-5, is about 2 seconds quicker.

While the power is nice, the highlight of the CX-5 continues to be in the handling department. Most crossover SUV makers don’t focus much on handling, but Mazda does, and it shows. Equipping the CX-5 with G-Vectoring Control Technology, this system enhances steering response through subtle engine-torque manipulation. Basically, as you steer into a corner, the system automatically reduces torque ever so slightly to induce a small load transfer to the front axle, thus eliminating any compliance in the suspension and allowing very precise driver inputs. Sounds complicated? It is – but it works – the CX-5 stays flat in corners yet still delivers a smooth and comfortable ride. Find a long winding road, get up to speed and you’ll discover that the CX-5 is downright fun and confidence-inspiring to drive.

Inside, the CX-5 cabin is nice, simple yet impressive. Done in typical Mazda fashion, the controls and displays are all easy to see and have a solid feel to them. Nothing cheap here. Small, but useful things like a power rear lift gate, rear seats that fold flat (and can recline as well) are a nice welcome.

Pricing for the CX-5 starts at $29,990, while my fully loaded all-wheel drive Turbo Signature model carries with it an MSRP of $42,750. Along with a fair price tag, you do get a lot with the CX-5, like its good looks, all-wheel drive, great handling abilities and its decent fuel economy. Throw in the smiles per miles you’ll get as you drive it, and you’ll quickly see why the CX-5 is the zoom-zoom of compact SUVs. Every time I step into the Mazda CX-5, I’m reminded why I always proclaim it as being one of the best compact crossover SUVs available. Small and agile, but practical and fun, it seems to check all the right boxes.
— Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:

2025 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature AWD

Base Price: $40,600.00
Price as Tested: $42,750.00
Layout: front-engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: 2.5 liter turbocharged Skyactiv inline 4-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Horsepower: 227 hp
Torque: 310 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy: 22 city / 27 highway mpg

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