How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 3.09% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,921 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $20,795.39, 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, which points to strong owner satisfaction. It also earns an expert rating of 7.5/10.

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 turbo engine is a recurring highlight, and the CX-5’s premium presentation helps it stand out in the compact SUV class.

The trade-offs are familiar: road noise and the infotainment system draw criticism, and the ride can feel firm. That makes it especially appealing if you value driving enjoyment and upscale materials more than a soft, isolated commute.

For families and driving enthusiasts alike, the CX-5 fits well if you want a compact SUV that feels more premium than many rivals. It also shows 33.2% good or great deals, so there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle people feel good about living with over time, especially because it comes across as dependable, comfortable, and easy to count on. That kind of repeat-positive sentiment matters when you’re shopping used, since it often reflects fewer ownership frustrations.

The expert evaluation also supports that impression by describing the CX-5 as a well-rounded compact SUV with strong everyday usability and solid build quality. Mazda’s warranty coverage adds another layer of reassurance for newer used examples.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the specific vehicle has been maintained well and treated gently.

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

At 74.1% 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 was repaired properly. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection so you can check for signs of poor repairs, uneven panel gaps, tire wear, and any lingering issues from past accidents.

Pay close attention to how the infotainment system works during a test drive, since usability complaints are common. It’s also worth evaluating road noise and ride quality, because those are the kinds of traits that can affect daily satisfaction even when the vehicle is otherwise in good shape.

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, and upgraded lighting, while the top trims bring leather, a power liftgate, a moonroof, and premium interior touches.
• 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, all-wheel drive is available, and AWD is standard on the turbo-powered upper trims.
• 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 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 setup can feel less intuitive than you’d expect.
• Fuel efficiency: The non-turbo FWD model returns 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. AWD with the base engine gets 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Turbocharged 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 7 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Touring Preferred SV Package, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Signature.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The Sport is the most basic version, so you miss out on the leatherette seating, dual-zone climate control, extra USB ports, and upgraded audio and lighting found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Touring is the best value if you want a nicer cabin without jumping too far in price, and the Touring Preferred SV Package adds the Bose audio system, leather seats, power liftgate, moonroof, and power-adjustable front seats.
• Premium/top trim: The Signature is the most luxurious choice, with Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, and a more upscale overall presentation.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims is aimed at off-road use, so you should focus on comfort, tech, and powertrain choice instead.

The available safety package is broad, but the best headlights require an upgrade, so that’s worth factoring into your trim decision.

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: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,921 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.09% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,795.39, 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 $22,674.

That softer pricing suggests the CX-5 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’s time to sell.

Strong demand for well-liked trims and clean-history examples should help support resale, especially because shoppers continue to respond well to the CX-5’s premium feel and driving character. A model with good maintenance records and desirable equipment should be easier to move later.

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.

Standard safety 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.

You can 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. The traffic sign recognition system can be slow to display the correct speed, so it’s not the strongest part of the package.

The CX-5’s crash-test performance is a major strength, but buyers who want the best headlights available should plan to upgrade to 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:

• 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.09% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda added the Carbon Edition and improved the model’s tech while dropping the diesel engine in the U.S.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,261, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,972 average.
• It offers upscale design and premium materials with more standard equipment and improved noise reduction.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,156, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,972 average.
• It brings a more premium interior, enhanced driving dynamics, and standard all-wheel drive.

The bottom line: The 2021 CX-5 is the right pick if you want a strong mix of value, safety, and premium feel without paying newer-model pricing. If your priority is the lowest purchase price, the 2020 is the better budget play; if you want the newest upgrades and can spend more, the 2022 is the step up to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.