Used 2018 Mazda CX-5 for Sale near California

Compare 2018 Mazda CX-5 Trims

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, catering to various preferences and needs.

• Starting at $15,012
• Best MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Most Popular: Grand Touring AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Sport FWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport FWD is the pick for shoppers who want essential features without paying for extras. It's a great entry-level option.

• Avg. market price: $15,534 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 163 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Sport FWD listings

Sport AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag. It's a practical choice for varied conditions.

• Avg. market price: $15,012 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 278 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of comfort and technology without going over budget. It offers a solid mix of features.

• Avg. market price: $15,765 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 544 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty handling with the added confidence of all-wheel drive. It's a versatile option for various driving conditions.

• Avg. market price: $16,382 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,232 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring AWD listings

Grand Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features without the all-wheel drive premium. It combines comfort with style.

• Avg. market price: $15,686 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 334 listings
• View Grand Touring FWD listings

Grand Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most features and all-wheel drive capability. It's the most popular trim for a reason.

• Avg. market price: $16,982 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,492 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Grand Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Grand Touring AWD

With 1,492 active listings, the Grand Touring AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Grand Touring AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Sport AWD

At $15,012 avg market price — below the lineup median of $15,725 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Sport AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Sport FWD

The Sport FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 25/31 MPG/MPGe.

Browse Sport FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 3.33% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,911 listings available, which suggests you have a solid pool of used CX-5s to compare.

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Yes — the 2018 Mazda CX-5 earns a 4.6/5 user rating and an 8.2/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, great features, stylish interior, and strong on-road performance. The CX-5 is also framed as a compact crossover that blends style, sophistication, and substance, with a more premium feel than many rivals. For you, that means it fits especially well if you want a practical SUV that still feels polished and enjoyable to drive.

There are 35.9% good or great deals in the market, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise centered on the smooth ride, stylish interior, and features that hold up well over time. The expert summary also reinforces that this is a vehicle built to deliver a satisfying long-term driving experience rather than just basic transportation. Mazda’s standard safety and driver-assistance equipment adds to the sense that the CX-5 is designed to be a confident daily companion.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about core reliability and more about making sure the specific vehicle has been cared for properly.

What should I look for when buying a used 2018 Mazda CX-5?

At 60.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of bodywork, paint condition, and signs of prior repair. Because some owners have noted paint flaking on certain colors, exterior condition deserves extra attention. It also makes sense to focus on cabin wear and feature operation so you can confirm the vehicle matches the seller’s description.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are the three versions, and the base Sport is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment. The higher trims add more upscale detailing, with the Grand Touring standing out for its more premium cabin presentation and added convenience features.
• Powertrain: Every CX-5 uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and a 6-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both offered, and the transmission tuning is a key part of the CX-5’s lively feel.
• Safety package: Mazda’s i-ActiveSense suite is available as standard or optional depending on trim level, and it includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. Every CX-5 also has blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the standard Smart City Brake Support system adds low-speed automatic emergency braking.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect uses a freestanding screen that works as a touchscreen only when the vehicle is stopped. It offers Aha, Pandora, Stitcher, text-messaging support, HD Radio, and E911 emergency notification service, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not included.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD version is rated at 26 mpg in combined driving, and the test loop returned 24.7 mpg.

Which 2018 Mazda CX-5 trim should I buy?

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 is offered in 3 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the CX-5’s core strengths without the extra cost of the higher trims. It suits you if you want the driving feel and styling at the lowest price, but it is the trim most likely to feel sparse compared with the others.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more comfort and convenience without jumping all the way to the top price. If you want a more complete daily driver, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Grand Touring: This is the most upscale version, with the richest cabin presentation and the most equipment. It makes sense if you want the most premium-feeling CX-5 and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is standard or optional depending on trim level, so verify the exact equipment on any used example you’re considering.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2018 Mazda CX-5?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,911 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.33% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,165, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2018 Mazda CX-5's resale value?

The current average of $16,412 sits slightly below last year's $16,978.

That downward move suggests the CX-5 has become a bit more buyer-friendly in the used market, which can make it easier for future sellers to price competitively. If you buy well now, you may have a better chance of holding value by choosing a clean, well-equipped example with strong condition and service history. The current pricing also shows that demand remains active enough to support resale, especially for shoppers who want a stylish compact SUV with a premium feel.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 safe?

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA because of a four-star performance in the rear-seat side-impact test.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Every CX-5 has standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and Mazda’s i-ActiveSense suite adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. The standard Smart City Brake Support system also adds low-speed automatic emergency braking. One caveat is that the headlights are rated Acceptable rather than Good, which keeps the CX-5 from earning the higher IIHS designation.

Should I buy a 2018 Mazda CX-5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2018 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2018 if:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.33% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It delivers a premium-feeling drive with strong value and standard safety equipment.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $15,823, the 2017 costs less than the current year's $16,412 average.
• It suits buyers who want a sporty, upscale crossover with a fun-to-drive personality.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $18,464, the 2019 costs more than the current year's $16,412 average.
• It adds smartphone connectivity and a more powerful turbo option for top trims.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, style, and driving enjoyment, the 2018 is the smart default. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2017 can save you money while keeping much of the CX-5’s appeal.

How does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 compare to the 2018 Honda CR-V?

The CX-5 is the lower-priced used buy here, while the CR-V offers more listings and slightly better fuel economy. If you want the more engaging, upscale-feeling choice, the CX-5 has the edge; if you want broader inventory and a slightly more efficient mainstream alternative, the CR-V is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.