Used 2021 Mazda CX-5 for Sale near California

Compare 2021 Mazda CX-5 Trims

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, catering to various preferences and needs.

• Starting at $19,284
• 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.

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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: $19,284 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 150 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Sport FWD listings

Sport AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport AWD is ideal for those seeking all-wheel drive without a hefty price tag, offering a good mix of features.

• Avg. market price: $19,671 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 265 listings
• View Sport AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is perfect for buyers wanting a standard set of features and a comfortable ride without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $20,053 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 495 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is suited for those who desire a sporty feel with the added benefit of all-wheel drive and more features.

• Avg. market price: $21,243 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,229 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring AWD listings

Grand Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring FWD is for shoppers who want a well-equipped vehicle with luxury touches without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $20,219 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 349 listings
• View Grand Touring FWD listings

Grand Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring AWD is the choice for those who want a blend of luxury and performance with all-wheel drive capabilities.

• Avg. market price: $22,079 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,531 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Grand Touring AWD listings

Grand Touring Reserve AWD — "Who It's For"

The Grand Touring Reserve AWD is ideal for buyers seeking premium features and performance in a compact SUV.

• Avg. market price: $23,987 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 203 listings
• View Grand Touring Reserve AWD listings

Signature AWD — "Who It's For"

The Signature AWD is for those who want the ultimate luxury experience in a compact SUV, with top-tier features and performance.

• Avg. market price: $24,621 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 141 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Signature AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Grand Touring AWD

With 1,531 active listings, the Grand Touring AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Grand Touring AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Sport FWD

At $19,284 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,731 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Sport FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Sport FWD

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

Browse Sport FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 1.60% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,307 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda CX-5 earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its luxurious feel, sporty performance, comfortable interior, and wealth of standard features. The CX-5 also stands out for being fun to drive, with a more upscale character than many compact SUVs.

The trade-offs are worth weighing: the ride can feel stiff, and the technology is often described as unintuitive. For you, that means the CX-5 makes the most sense if you value driving enjoyment and a premium-feeling cabin more than a plush ride or easy-to-use infotainment.

Good and great deals account for 34.5% of listings, so there are still attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with owners highlighting the SUV’s comfortable interior and strong overall appeal over time. The expert review also notes Mazda’s solid build quality and premium-feeling materials, which support confidence in day-to-day use.

Mazda backs the CX-5 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about major durability concerns and more about whether the vehicle has been maintained well and kept in good condition.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mazda CX-5?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean title alone does not tell you how well the vehicle was maintained. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the ride quality, infotainment operation, and interior condition, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day satisfaction. If possible, test the vehicle on rough pavement and during low-speed maneuvering so you can judge whether the suspension and tech suit your preferences.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base CX-5 Sport comes with automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims add leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights, while the Touring Preferred SV Package adds a Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, a power moonroof, and power-adjustable front seats.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder is also available and delivers 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel.
• Safety package: Mazda’s standard suite includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Available upgrades include a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.
• Infotainment: Every CX-5 comes with a 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system is controlled through Mazda’s center-console interface, and the review notes that it can be troublesome to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The most fuel-efficient version earns 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. Turbocharged versions are rated at 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.

Which 2021 Mazda CX-5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is offered in 6 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Touring Preferred SV Package, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core CX-5 experience with the standard safety suite, the 10.25-inch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the base 2.5-liter engine. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it leaves out the more upscale comfort and convenience features found higher up.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights. If you want a nicer daily driver without jumping too far in price, this is the trim to focus on.
• Touring Preferred SV Package: This package is the right move if you want a more premium feel, since it adds a Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, a power moonroof, and power-adjustable front seats. It is a strong choice if comfort and convenience matter more to you than keeping the price as low as possible.
• Carbon Edition: This trim layers on distinctive styling with Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black exterior details, black metallic wheels, red leather seats, and black honeycomb interior trim. It suits you if you want the Touring equipment with a more expressive look.
• Grand Touring: This trim adds more upscale touches such as heated mirrors, LED lighting upgrades, a digital gauge display, SiriusXM, paddle shifters, and the Touring Preferred SV Package equipment. It is a good fit if you want a more polished cabin and extra features without going all the way to the top.
• Grand Touring Reserve: This is the step to take if you want the turbo engine and more comfort features, including ventilated seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic folding mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer. It is the right choice if you live in a colder climate or want stronger performance.
• Signature: This is the most luxurious version, with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, a black headliner, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror. Choose it if you want the most premium CX-5 experience.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but buyers who want the best headlights available should plan to upgrade to the adaptive lighting system.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mazda CX-5?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing movement to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,307 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.60% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,756, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mazda CX-5's resale value?

The current average of $21,799 sits slightly below last year's $22,154.

That softer pricing suggests the CX-5 has already absorbed some of its near-term depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the range, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it comes time to sell.

The model’s strong reputation for owner satisfaction also helps support demand in the used market. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 safe?

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it earns a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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

Mazda’s standard safety suite includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Available upgrades include a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.

The main caveat is that the best headlights are not standard, so you may want to look for a vehicle equipped with the adaptive lighting system.

Should I buy a 2021 Mazda CX-5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 34.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.60% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda added a new Carbon Edition and improved the tech for this model year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,860, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,799 average.
• It emphasizes a more premium feel with stylish design and upscale materials.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,445, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,799 average.
• It pushes further toward premium territory with more upscale appeal and stronger turbocharged versions.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the best all-around pick if you want the updated tech and strong safety reputation without paying the newer-model premium. If price is your top priority, the 2020 is the value play; if you want the most premium-feeling CX-5, the 2022 is worth a look.

How does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 compare to the 2021 Honda CR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Mazda CX-5:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Fun to drive, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Poor ride quality, Unintuitive technology.

2021 Honda CR-V:

• Pros: Plenty of cargo space, Standard advanced safety features, Excellent value for money.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Fairly pedestrian performance.

Our experts score the 2021 Mazda CX-5 7.5/10 and the 2021 Honda CR-V 7.8/10. The CX-5 is the more engaging choice if you care about driving feel and safety, while the CR-V leans harder into practicality with more cargo space. The CX-5’s weaker ride and tech are worth considering, especially if you want a smoother, simpler daily driver.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.