How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 3.48% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,973 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $20,799.37, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Yes — the 4.79/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.5/10. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise the upscale feel, the turbo engine's power, the comfortable interior, and the wealth of standard features. The CX-5 also stands out for sporty performance and a premium-leaning cabin that feels above average for the class.

The trade-offs are road noise and an infotainment system that some drivers find unintuitive. That matters most if you want a compact SUV that feels easygoing in daily use rather than one that prioritizes polish in every control.

If you want a compact SUV that balances style, performance, safety, and value, the CX-5 fits that brief well. With 32.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still opportunities to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.79/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with buyers repeatedly highlighting the CX-5 as a vehicle they feel good about keeping over time. That kind of feedback matters because it suggests the model has earned trust beyond first impressions.

Mazda’s performance notes reinforce that sense of durability by describing the CX-5 as a solid, well-rounded SUV with powertrains that are easy to live with. The cost-effectiveness notes also mention Mazda’s warranty coverage, which adds some reassurance for used buyers.

For you, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright weakness and more about whether the infotainment and ride quality will feel acceptable after the novelty wears off.

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

At 74.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage affected the structure, airbags, or safety systems. Then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus your walkaround on panel alignment, tire wear, interior condition, and signs that the infotainment or driver-assistance features are not working as they should.

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 features such as leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, auto-leveling LED headlights, leather seats, a power liftgate, a power moonroof, and a premium audio upgrade.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivers 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel. Front-wheel drive is standard on lower trims, all-wheel drive is available, and AWD is standard with the turbo-powered upper trims.
• 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 gets a 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen, plus standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system can be frustrating to use through the center-console controller, and the interface is not especially intuitive.
• Fuel efficiency: The non-turbo FWD model returns 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. AWD with the non-turbo engine gets 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Turbo models return 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined with FWD, or 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined with AWD.

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:

• Base trim: The CX-5 Sport gives you the essentials, but it lacks the richer cabin materials and convenience upgrades found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Touring is the best value if you want a more upscale feel, with leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, rear USB ports, and auto-leveling LED headlights.
• Premium/top trim: The Signature is the most luxurious choice, adding Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, and a more premium cabin presentation.
• Off-road trim: The CX-5 is not really aimed at off-road use, so there is no daily-driver off-road trim to target here.

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, so it makes sense to shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,973 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.48% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,799.37, 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 $21,972 sits slightly below last year's $22,764.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some 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 CX-5's strong owner satisfaction also supports demand in the used market. Buyers tend to respond well to vehicles that feel upscale, drive well, and earn positive long-term feedback.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.79/5, 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 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

It earns a 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 add 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.

One caveat is that the best headlights are not standard on every trim, so you should check whether the vehicle you are considering has the adaptive lighting system. The traffic sign recognition feature can also be slow to display the correct speed.

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:

• 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.48% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda added the Carbon Edition and improved the tech setup while keeping the CX-5's premium feel and strong safety reputation.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,232, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,972 average.
• It offers a premium-feeling compact crossover with upscale design and engaging driving dynamics.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,190, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,972 average.
• It brings more refined interior updates and stronger premium positioning.

The bottom line: The 2021 CX-5 is the right pick if you want a well-rounded compact SUV with strong safety, good value, and a premium feel without paying newer-model pricing. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better budget path; if you want the freshest updates and can spend more, the 2022 is worth a look.

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