2021 Mazda CX-5

When it comes to compact crossovers, buyers are not left wanting for choice. The market is full of sold entries, each of which offers a slightly different take on what it means to be a small utility vehicle in 2021. The Mazda CX-5 stands out from the pack with striking styling, a truly upscale interior and an engaging driving experience. It looks and feels more expensive than it actually is.

The 2021 model year brings a few notable changes to the CX-5, the current generation of which dates to 2017. The updates include a new 10.3-inch infotainment display, which runs the newest version of Mazda’s infotainment software. There’s a new Carbon Edition that comes sporting an exclusive grey paint color and unique interior trim. The Signature trim also gains several new active safety features as standard equipment.

Mazda offers the CX-5 in six variations: Sport ($26,545), Touring ($28,285), Carbon Edition ($30,130), Grand Touring ($31,735), Grand Touring Reserve ($36,560) and Signature ($38,680). All prices include a $1,175 destination fee. 

Though the Sport starts out with cloth seats and the less powerful of the crossover’s two engines, it boasts a generous list of standard equipment, with all models getting the new 10.3-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic LED headlights and a host of active-safety gear. That includes standard adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts.

The Touring trim brings heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, rear USB charging ports, a six-speaker sound system and auto-leveling LED headlights. The Carbon edition adds a Bose 10-speaker sound system, red leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, power front seats with memory settings, and special Polymetal Gray paint. Grand Touring models gets paddle shifters, a seven-inch digital gauge display, LED taillights, LED fog lights and an adaptive front lighting system. Both the Carbon and Grand Touring get 19-inch wheels, an upgrade from the standard 17-inchers.

Sport, Touring, Carbon and Grand Touring models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The Carbon can be optioned with the available 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces a more robust 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo, and all-wheel drive (AWD), come standard on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature. AWD is a $1,400 option on the lower trims, which start off with front-wheel drive.

The Grand Touring Reserve also gets a head-up display, ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. The range-topping CX-5 Signature comes equipped with Mazda’s i-Activesense safety features, which include smart city brake support, driver attention alerts, a 360-degree camera system and front-rear parking sensors. The Signature also gets Nappa leather seats, real wood trim and ambient interior lighting. 

The non-turbo CX-5 offers more than enough power to scoot around town and reach highway speeds, but in highway passing, the base engine can feel a little tired. The turbocharged engine hits a sweet spot of power and efficiency, and it makes the Mazda a real hoot to drive. Pushing it hard, the engine delivers strong acceleration and great torque. It pairs well with the CX-5’s responsive six-speed automatic gearbox, standard on all models.

The CX-5 wakes up on curvy roads, living up to Mazda’s reputation for building sharp handling cars. The steering is dynamic and reactive and the brake pedal feel is solid. Even though it’s biased towards road feel and driver enjoyment, the suspension muffles and smooths out all but the worst potholes and bumps. You’ll hear cracks, ruts and broken pavement, but they’re never intrusive.

The CX-5 is a driver’s machine, but it returns only slightly below average fuel economy for its class. Non-turbo models return 28 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 26 mpg combined with AWD. Turbo models fall by 2 to 3 mpg in each measure. That’s below the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, but better than the Volkswagen Tiguan or Kia Sportage.

Sans Mazda badges, an untrained observer would be hard pressed to tell the CX-5’s cabin apart from a German luxury brand. It’s built with materials that look and feel expensive, and ergonomically designed to be comfortable. The attention to little details, like the well-placed armrests and fine stitching, are what set the CX-5 apart from its competition.

The CX-5’s back seat is comfy for two adults and manageable with three. The crossover’s sloping roof does not detract from headroom, and its 39.6 inches of rear legroom is plenty for most people and more than competitors like the RAV4, Tiguan or Sportage. 

Unfortunately, the Mazda’s Achilles heel makes itself known when the rear hatch opens. With the rear seats upright, the CX-5 only manages 30.9 cubic-feet of space, and with them folded, just 59.6. That’s about even with the equally tight Sportage but far less than the RAV4 (37.6/69.8), Tiguan (37.6/73.5) or CR-V (39.2/75.8).

The new infotainment screen is large and in charge, perched atop the CX-5’s dash. Mazda’s sometimes-confusing rotary dial controller is still there, but it does eventually become second nature to operate. The system runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard functionality and is capable of running Mazda Connected Services, which brings app functions and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety is a priority with the CX-5, and its crash-test scores show it. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a 2021 Top Safety Pick +, which is its highest rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated it five stars overall. On top of those stellar scores, the vehicle comes with the aforementioned large suite of driver-assist gear.

The Mazda CX-5 offers a different experience than the Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s of the world. Its design and driving dynamics, coupled with its generous list of features, make it a top choice.