Used 2018 Mazda CX-5 for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Compare 2018 Mazda CX-5 Trims in San Diego, CA

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 $15,887
• 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 well-equipped SUV without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $17,148 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 20 listings
• 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: $17,148 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 15 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Sport AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want added comfort and features without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $17,619 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 41 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of comfort and capability in all weather conditions.

• Avg. market price: $17,148 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 37 listings
• View Touring AWD listings

Grand Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features without the all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $16,995 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 30 listings
• View Grand Touring FWD listings

Grand Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $15,887 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 45 listings
• View Grand Touring AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Grand Touring AWD

With 45 active listings, the Grand Touring AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Grand Touring AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Grand Touring AWD

At $15,887 avg market price — below the lineup median of $17,148 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Grand Touring AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Sport FWD

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

Browse Sport FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 3.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,888 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

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 on-road performance. That lines up with the CX-5’s positioning as a compact crossover that feels more premium than average while still working as a practical daily driver.

You also get a strong mix of style and substance, with the overview emphasizing an engaging driving feel and broad appeal as one of Mazda’s best-selling models. With 35.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

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-feeling ownership experience, with praise for the smooth ride, great features, and safety features that help the CX-5 feel easy to live with over time. The expert driving notes also reinforce that sense of confidence by describing the SUV as balanced, quiet, and well controlled on the road.

The cost-effectiveness discussion also suggests a favorable ownership experience, since the CX-5 is framed as a comparatively affordable way to get a luxury-like compact crossover. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure prior use and maintenance history are clean before you commit.

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

At 61.7% 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 owner feedback mentions paint flaking on certain colors.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The CX-5 is offered in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. The Sport is the most basic version, while Touring and Grand Touring add more upscale equipment and features, so the lower trim is where you’re most likely to notice feature gaps.
• Powertrain: Every version uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic and available FWD or AWD. The expert notes say it feels lively enough in town and on hills, though fuel economy is only average.
• Safety package: Mazda’s i-ActiveSense suite is standard or optional depending on trim level, and it includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and more. Every CX-5 also gets blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect uses a freestanding screen, but it is a touchscreen only when the vehicle is stopped. It offers Aha, Pandora, Stitcher, text-messaging support, HD Radio, and E911, while navigation and a premium Bose sound system are available on Touring and standard on Grand Touring.
• 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, and Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, so it makes the most sense if you want the CX-5’s core driving feel and style at the lowest price. It’s the trim most likely to leave you wanting more convenience and premium touches.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more equipment without jumping all the way to the top of the range. If you want a more complete daily driver, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Grand Touring: This is the right pick if you want the most upscale CX-5 experience, including the richest feature content and the strongest premium feel. It also gets the standard Bose sound system and navigation.

For safety equipment, Mazda says i-ActiveSense is standard or optional depending on trim level, so it’s worth confirming exactly which driver-assistance features are included on the specific vehicle you’re considering.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,888 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 61.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,189, 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 $16,798 sits slightly below last year's $17,407.

That price movement suggests the CX-5 has softened enough to create a better entry point for buyers, but it also means future sellers should expect a market that rewards clean condition and strong documentation. If you buy well now, you may have a better chance of preserving value later because you’re starting from a more favorable price base.

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.

Mazda includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on every CX-5, and the i-ActiveSense suite adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and more. The standard Smart City Brake Support system and built-in E911 service add to the safety picture.

The main caveat is the IIHS headlight result: the adaptive, auto-leveling LED headlights with automatic high beams are rated Acceptable instead of Good, which keeps the CX-5 from earning Top Safety Pick+.

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:

• 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 61.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert testing says it feels premium, engaging, and well balanced.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $15,904, the 2017 costs less than the current year's $16,798 average.
• It’s the fun-to-drive, upscale-feeling compact SUV choice.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $18,869, the 2019 costs more than the current year's $16,798 average.
• It adds smartphone connectivity and a stronger turbo option.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, style, and driving enjoyment, the 2018 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2017 can save you money while keeping much of the same character. If you want newer tech and are willing to pay more, the 2019 is the better upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.