2021 Mazda CX-5 Test Drive Overview

While some automakers are firmly in the lane of deeply-creased hoods, angled taillights, and chiseled grilles, Mazda has gone in the opposite design direction. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is a smooth steed that looks slippery even when standing still. It’s no hot shot, but takes the played-out Mazda sameness in a stylish direction.

There aren’t large differences on the exterior of most of the CX-5 trim levels. The base CX-5 Sport comes with automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The higher tier Mazda CX-5 Touring adds rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, two rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights that move the direction the wheel is turned to illuminate the way ahead. These headlights are especially helpful when turning corners in neighborhoods and driving on winding rural roads at night.

Buyers can elevate their Touring model with the new-for-2021 Touring Preferred SV Package, which adds a 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory positioning.

Mazda is offering the CX-5 Carbon Edition with the features of the Touring grade combined with the Touring Preferred SV Package plus a Polymetal Gray paint job, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. The interior of the SUV has red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim on the dashboard and door panels. Mazda has given the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob red stitching.

The CX-5 Grand Touring builds on the Touring model adding dual heated mirrors, leatherette-trimmed upholstery (a synthetic leather upholstery substitute), 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels, LED taillights, LED fog lights, and LED daytime running lights. A power liftgate, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, a 7-inch digital gauge display, and SiriusXM join the equipment from the Touring Preferred SV Package in the model.

The next highest model, the CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve, builds on the Ground Touring SUV and adds ventilated seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic folding door mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer.

In the CX-5 Signature, the model that was our tester, buyers get a vehicle that is solidly premium, rivaling the offerings from Buick, Infiniti, and Acura. It adds on what is in the Grand Touring Reserve with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim up the ante in the car while design choices like a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, ambient lighting, a black headliner, and 19-inch silver aluminum alloy wheels push that notion even further.

Styling in the top-tier model is well-executed with good fit and finish. The materials of the interior of the CX-5 feel good in hand and are above what you'll typically find in a compact crossover.