2025 Mazda CX-5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

It could be argued that the Mazda CX-5 is the most attractive vehicle in the small SUV class. With graceful curves instead of sharp angular facets, it stands out from the rest without shouting or gimmicks. That styling is even more impressive when you consider that the CX-5 hasn't been redesigned since the 2017 model year. It's a testament to how good design stands the test of time. Cover up the large Mazda emblem in the grille, and it'd be easy to mistake it for an entry-level luxury SUV.

The interior also punches above its weight with nicer-than-average materials and a pleasant layout that bridges the gap between older analog cockpits and the newer all-digital trend. It lacks a massive infotainment touchscreen and customizable instrument panel, sticking with more traditional physical buttons, knobs, and gauges. While it lacks some of the wow factor of some of its more high-tech rivals, we personally like it better for usability.

Unlike the more modern all-glass dashboards, you won't need to go to a touchscreen for every little feature. If you want to adjust the temperature, you can just reach down with your right hand and turn a dial a few clicks.

Most surfaces are covered in soft-touch materials, with a few hard but sturdy high-quality plastic elements placed where you're less likely to come in contact. In some ways, it's comparable to last-generation interiors from Acura or Lexus, making it look and feel more special than similarly priced crossovers from Honda or Toyota.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is available with a choice of two engines. The base is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo model increases output to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Both engines pair with a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive (AWD) is standard throughout the range.

The base engine should accelerate the CX-5 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, which is average for the class. The turbocharged model will get there about two seconds sooner, making it one of the quicker choices. The base engine has adequate power for the majority of drivers, but the Turbo engine feels like a better match as it gathers speed with noticeably more confidence and ease.

The CX-5 isn't just about power and quickness, though. It's also capable on a winding mountain pass, with the sure-footedness that comes with AWD and suspension that keeps body roll to a minimum. We consider it sporty for the class, but even if performance isn't a priority for you, the CX-5 instills more confidence for when you might have to take evasive maneuvers. Compared to other SUVs in the class, it's far more entertaining and inspiring.

Those sporty driving dynamics results in a slightly firmer ride quality. You'll feel more bumps and ruts in the road surface, but at no point will they be intrusive or harsh. It's noticeable on a washboard concrete highway but should be more than acceptable for most passengers in any other condition. Helping to reduce fatigue on longer journeys is a quiet cabin that ably filters out wind and road noise.

While the interior scores points for design and refinement, it doesn't match some of its rivals when it comes to practicality or space. There's enough headroom in the back seats for adult-sized passengers, but the competing Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage provide just a little bit more. The CX-5 beats the RAV4 when it comes to rear legroom, but the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage will give occupants more room to stretch. If you plan on regularly shuttling adults around, you'd be better served by these alternatives, but that advantage wanes for smaller folks and kids.

Behind the rear seats, the CX-5 can hold as much as 30.8 cubic feet of cargo. The cargo space is wide, flat, and can accept larger and bulkier items, but the CR-V and Sportage can accommodate almost 30 percent more. That's something to keep in mind if you're often lugging baby strollers or tons of outdoor gear around. Folding the rear seatbacks flat expands the capacity to 58.1 cubic feet, and helpful latches in the cargo area allow you to stow them without having to lean in or access them from the rear seats. A power liftgate is standard on all but the bottom two trim levels.

For smaller personal items, the front seats have moderately sized cupholders, door pockets, and a deep center armrest bin. Midlevel trims add a wireless charging pad, but the harder plastic allows phones to slide around more than a grippy rubber surface.

All 2025 Mazda CX-5 models come with a 10.25-inch infotainment display that is mounted atop the dash. It looks quite a bit smaller than screens found in other crossovers, but don't let that bother you. It's placement right in the driver's sightline is excellent, allowing for quick glances while minimizing distraction. The native infotainment system is controlled via a dial on the center console, much like older BMW and Audi systems from a decade ago.

In this setting, the dial works well. You don't have to pay as close attention the the display compared to if it were a touchscreen, as the dial moves from one on-screen button to the next with each click of the knob. You can also shift the dial side to side or up and down to make quicker selections. Combined with logical menus, it's very easy to operate while driving.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are curiously able to be controlled via the touchscreen as well as the dial. Even though the screen is within easy reach, we still prefer to use the dial. In lower trims, that phone integration requires a USB cable, but in the midrange Premium Plus trim, you can go wireless. That trim also adds a wireless charging pad.

As much as we like the older control dial setup, we will admit the analog gauges make the CX-5 feel a bit behind the times. We’ve become accustomed to seeing a quick-to-read digital speed display in the instrument panel, but at least in the Premium Plus trim and above, a head-up display is standard. It projects speed and other pertinent information right into the windshield, so you'll rarely, if ever, have to take your eyes off the road.

The base trim comes with a four-speaker audio system and at the top of the lineup, the Signature model gains a 10-speaker Bose premium system. Remote vehicle monitoring and control is available through a smartphone app and the service is free for the first year. A Wi-Fi hotspot is also available.

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2025 Mazda CX-5 earned five-out-of-five stars in all evaluations except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. Results for the 2025 CX-5 are not yet available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the identical 2024 model was awarded the Institute's highest score of "Good" in all tests. The 2023 model year also received a Top Safety Pick rating, the IIHS' second-highest honor.

All CX-5 trim levels come standard with basic advanced safety features that include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

The midrange Premium Plus trim adds adaptive headlights, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors. Near the top of the lineup, the Turbo Premium package includes traffic jam assist that combines lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control to reduce some of the burden of driving. The top Turbo Signature trim adds a driver attention monitor as well as rear automatic braking.

In the week we drove the 2025 CX-5, we experienced no false alarms or technical glitches. All of the systems operate as they should and the adaptive cruise control smoothly adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a consistent gap to cars in front.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 has a starting price of $29,990 (including a $1,420 destination fee) for the entry-level S trim. For the vast majority of drivers, the base engine will be more than adequate. For that particular engine, the S Select trim adds a handful of desirable features such as keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and synthetic leather seat upholstery.

Mazda is known for making sportier-than-average vehicles, and to get the full experience, we suggest stepping up to the Turbo models that start at $38,420 for the Carbon Turbo trim. These Turbo models also deliver a more luxurious interior, with genuine leather upholstery and upgraded trim elements. These prices are slightly more expensive than other SUVs in the class, but the added performance and refinement easily justify the cost.

The CX-5 will also end up costing you a bit more at the gas pump, too. The base engine is estimated by the EPA to return 26 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 28 mpg in combined driving, The Turbo engine is rated at 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. These figures are between three and four mpg less than rivals. Those rivals further benefit from available hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.

Among the most popular small SUVs, the CX-5 is easily one of the most pleasant and rewarding to drive. The Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage are designed with practicality and convenience as a priority, making them a smarter choice if you have a kid or two. The only other crossover that offers comparable performance is the Mazda CX-50, which is similar in size and execution to the CX-5 and is much newer, too. For 2025, the CX-50 also gains a hybrid powertrain.