Used 2018 Mazda CX-5 for Sale near Illinois

Compare 2018 Mazda CX-5 Trims

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $15,481
• 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 a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $16,045 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 132 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.

• Avg. market price: $15,481 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 236 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.

• Avg. market price: $15,858 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 427 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance combined with all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $17,247 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,170 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 a well-equipped SUV with luxury features at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $16,802 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 323 listings
• View Grand Touring FWD listings

Grand Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and all-wheel drive for enhanced capability.

• Avg. market price: $17,765 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,287 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Grand Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Grand Touring AWD

With 1,287 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 $15,481 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,423 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Sport AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Sport FWD

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

Browse Sport FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 3.83% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,694 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $16,189.85, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Yes — the 2018 Mazda CX-5 earns a 4.6/5 user rating and an 8.17/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, great features, stylish interior, safety features, and road performance. The CX-5’s overview also points to a compact crossover that feels more polished and more rewarding to drive than the average runabout, which fits the way owners describe its upscale character and engaging road manners.

The market also shows 32.2% good or great deals, 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 smooth ride and a vehicle that owners appreciate for its safety features and road performance, which supports the impression of a dependable daily driver. The expert evaluation also describes the CX-5 as a pleasure to drive, with a balanced ride-and-handling setup that feels well sorted over time.

Mazda’s standard G Vectoring Control and the well-matched 6-speed automatic add to the sense that the CX-5 is engineered to feel composed and consistent. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure prior maintenance and condition have been kept up, especially if you want the car to stay as refined as it feels on a test drive.

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

At 63.7% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, paint quality, and signs of prior repair, since the market mix suggests you may need to sort through both clean and previously damaged examples.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are the three versions, and the base Sport is the simplest setup. The higher trims add more upscale cabin materials and equipment, while the Grand Touring stands out for its more premium feel.
• Powertrain: A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is the only engine offered, paired with a 6-speed automatic and available FWD or AWD. The setup is tuned for balanced, enjoyable driving rather than outright power, and the AWD version is noted as returning 26 mpg in combined driving.
• Safety package: Mazda’s i-ActiveSense suite includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard, while some safety equipment varies by trim level.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect uses a freestanding screen, and it works as a touchscreen only when the vehicle is not moving. It includes Aha, Pandora, Stitcher, text-messaging support, HD Radio, and E911, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not included.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD version is rated at 26 mpg combined, 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 luxury touches. It suits you if you want the most affordable way into the model and care more about the driving experience than premium extras.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim if you want a more complete ownership experience. It adds more equipment and can be paired with navigation and a premium Bose sound system, making it the sweet spot for many shoppers.
• Grand Touring: This is the most upscale choice, with the richest cabin presentation and standard Bose audio and navigation. It also brings the most premium-feeling setup, and it’s the trim to choose if you want the CX-5 to feel closest to a luxury crossover.

Mazda’s i-ActiveSense safety suite is standard or optional depending on trim level, so check the specific listing carefully.

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: 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,694 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.83% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,189.85, 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 $16,732 sits slightly below last year's $17,399.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. A lower entry cost today can make it easier to preserve value later, especially if you choose a well-kept example with strong equipment and clean history.

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, but not Top Safety Pick+ because its headlights are rated Acceptable instead of Good. It also earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA because of a four-star performance in the rear-seat side-impact test.

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

Mazda’s i-ActiveSense suite includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and more. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support are standard as well.

The main caveat is that the headlight rating keeps it from the higher IIHS honor, so you should pay attention to lighting performance if you often drive at night.

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:

• 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.83% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda’s 2018 update adds cylinder deactivation and standard G Vectoring Control for a more polished drive.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $16,083, the 2017 costs less than the current year's $16,732 average.
• It emphasizes sporty, upscale driving with strong reliability and a polished feel.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $19,069, the 2019 costs more than the current year's $16,732 average.
• It adds Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a turbocharged top-trim engine.

The bottom line: You should start with the 2018 if you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and upscale driving feel. If your budget is tighter, the 2017 is the value play; if you want newer tech and are willing to pay more, the 2019 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.