How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 1.91% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,963 listings available, you have a solid pool of options to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $20,770.66, 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 2021 Mazda CX-5 earns a 4.79/5 user rating, and our experts give it 7.5/10 overall.

The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its luxurious feel, sporty performance, and wealth of standard features. The turbo engine’s power is another recurring highlight, and the comfortable interior also comes through strongly in owner feedback.

The trade-offs are familiar: experts call out poor ride quality and unintuitive technology, and some owners echo the tech criticism by describing the infotainment system as outdated.

For you, that means the CX-5 makes the most sense if you want a compact SUV that feels more upscale and engaging than average, especially for family use. It is also a competitive choice if you value style and standard equipment over maximum cabin comfort or the slickest interface.

The market still shows healthy interest, with 33.3% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable and trouble-free in everyday use, with praise centered on the CX-5’s upscale character and the confidence it inspires over time. The same feedback also suggests buyers feel comfortable counting on it as a long-term family vehicle.

Experts also describe Mazda’s powertrain as a strong fit for the class, with both engine choices delivering solid performance and the turbo version adding especially spirited power. Mazda’s warranty coverage includes a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about living with the CX-5’s less polished tech and ride quality over time.

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

At 74.9% 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 consistency, and signs of prior repair. Because the CX-5’s technology and ride quality are already known weak points, it also makes sense to test every control, screen function, and suspension response on your drive. Focus on overall condition first, then compare trim equipment so you know whether the listing matches the features you expect.

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, and auto-leveling LED headlights, while the top grades bring more premium materials and convenience equipment.
• Powertrain: The base 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, and all-wheel drive is available or standard depending on trim.
• Safety package: Standard equipment 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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is usable, but the interface is not especially intuitive, and the knob-based controls can be cumbersome.
• Fuel efficiency: The non-turbo front-wheel-drive model returns 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, that drops to 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Turbocharged versions return 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:

• Base trim: The Sport is the most stripped-down version, so you give up 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 noticeable step up in comfort and convenience without jumping to the pricier luxury-oriented trims.
• Premium/top trim: The Signature is the most upscale choice, with Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, and a more premium overall presentation.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims is aimed at off-road use, so you should shop this model as a road-focused compact SUV.

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 to shop carefully and enough deal activity to find value.

• Deal availability: 33.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,963 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,770.66, 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 $22,321 sits slightly below last year's $22,756.

That softer pricing suggests the CX-5 is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can matter if you plan to sell later. A model that is already a bit discounted today may not give you the same short-term appreciation potential as a hotter used SUV market. Even so, strong demand for well-equipped, well-kept examples should help support values over time.

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 earns five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

Mazda equips the CX-5 with a long list of standard driver-assistance features, including 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 buyers who want the best headlights available on the model should plan to upgrade to the adaptive lighting system. Traffic sign recognition is also described as slow and occasionally incomplete.

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:

• 33.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.91% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda enhanced the tech and added a new Carbon Edition for this model year.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,350, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,321 average.
• It emphasizes premium materials and a smooth, quiet ride.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,111, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,321 average.
• It brings a more upscale feel with stronger premium-brand ambition.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the primary path to consider. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 is the better choice if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling presentation.

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