Used 2017 Mazda CX-5 for Sale near Des Moines, IA

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 doesn’t seek to conquer the entire compact crossover market—it simply wants to carve out its own niche as the sporty, upscale option.

The compact SUV segment can be overwhelming. With approximately 18 vehicles technically in this category, the various options can have hugely different personalities. Consider how the sedan market can range from sluggish to sporty—the same range exists between the 2017 Mazda CX-5 and its rivals.

In terms of actual sales, the top performers are the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. All of these options are inoffensive, and the Rogue even has an available third row, but they aren’t very exciting, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You should just consider how you plan to use your vehicle before diving into the choices.

The CX-5 falls into a second tier, along with the Ford Escape and Jeep Cherokee. The common thread among the second tier? They all offer something for enthusiasts. The Cherokee can actually perform off road, the Ford Escape has some solid driving characteristics, and the CX-5 is not only fun to drive, but uniquely upscale in this segment.

It is in this context that you must consider the Mazda CX-5: A driver might simply need a commuter car with more space, but wants something that's actually fun to drive. The typical CX-5 buyer might also want something nicer than the average crossover, but doesn’t need to make the jump to an actual luxury brand.