Affordability is becoming a serious rarity in the new SUV market, with brands applying relatively steep price increases to their 2026 model year products. As a result of this, consumers shopping in the new market are having to compromise on comprehensive value propositions just to get into an elevated driving position. Thankfully, while this generation is still available in the U.S., the Mazda CX-5 remains a competitively priced SUV that doesn’t skimp out on interior quality and standard specification.
Mazda will be introducing an all-new generation CX-5 for the 2026 model year, which is likely to include a noteworthy price increase. With pricing starting at $29,050, the 2025 CX-5 is a more expensive alternative to its rivals, but as soon as you step inside the cabin, you’ll realize that it is actually a seriously competitively priced deal that aptly blends affordability with premium features.
The CX-5’s Comprehensive Specification Levels
Mazda offers the 2025 CX-5 range in eight well-defined specifications, starting with the base $29,050 S. This model comes standard with the basics, including a standard single-zone climate control system, remote smart keyless entry, manually adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery, and leather upholstery for the multifunction steering wheel and gear selector. Standard entertainment features are fairly basic, with inclusions consisting of a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connected to a four-speaker audio system.
$30,380 gets you into the S Select, which is a nominal increase that really adds a fair bit over the previous specification. This gets you access to illuminated visor vanity mirrors, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, electric adjustments for the driver’s seat, leatherette seat upholstery, and heating for the front row of seats, together with a six-speaker audio system. The S Preferred costs $31,730 and adds a glass sunroof and an electrically adjustable passenger seat.
The $32,630 Carbon Edition is basically a visual package for the S Preferred, adding blacked-out refinements to the interior and exterior for a stealthier look. You also get leather upholstery for the seating, a Bose 10-speaker audio system, wireless connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless smartphone charger. After this comes the S Premium Plus, starting at $35,680, adding paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel, a heated steering wheel, rear seat heating, front seat ventilation, a larger LCD meter display, and a windshield-projected active driving display heads-up unit.
The CX-5’s Turbocharged Flagships
Sitting at the very top of the CX-5 range are the $37,200 Carbon Turbo, $38,280 Turbo Premium, and $41,080 Turbo Signature, each introducing a comprehensive level of luxury to the exterior and interior experience. The Carbon adds Terracotta leather seats with faux-suede inserts and a black cloth headliner to the interior. The Premium includes black leather-trimmed seats with red stitching, while the Signature sets the standard with:
- Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
- Caturra Brown Nappa leather-trimmed seats
- Genuine layered wood trim
The CX-5 performs well with its interior dimensions, but it is not as generous as some of its other Japanese counterparts. A useful 30.8 cubic feet of cargo space is available when all seats are in place, which is enough to accommodate a couple of cases for a weekend getaway and some space to spare. It should have no issues with serving as a daily commuter, subject to carrying groceries. Folding the second row of seats opens the cabin up to 59.3 cubic feet of room.
Interior Dimensions
|
Front |
Rear |
|
|
Headroom |
39.7 Inches |
39 Inches |
|
Legroom |
41 Inches |
39.6 Inches |
|
Shoulder Room |
57.1 Inches |
54.8 Inches |
|
Cargo Capacity |
30.8 CU-FT |
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A Refined Pair Of Drivetrain Options
Mazda offers the CX-5 with a choice of two 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines: Base S trims are naturally aspirated and produce 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet, while the top-end of the range features a turbocharger, which churns out 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet. Both engines are equipped with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission as standard. The brand claims that the naturally aspirated model will accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.4 seconds, while the turbocharged unit drops the time to 6.5 seconds. Neither shines on the towing front, either, as both engine options can only offer a 2,000-pound towing capacity, which is par for the course in this segment.
The naturally aspirated 2.5 is responsive to throttle inputs, making it an ideal powertrain for urban use. Where it falls short is at highway speeds due to its low torque output, and those wanting to conduct merging and overtaking must do so with quick and precise timing. The turbocharged unit resolves these issues with its punchy and prompt delivery of power to the wheels. A six-speed automatic transmission complements both engines with refined and quick gear changes, but long gone and much missed are the days when Mazda offered a slick six-speed manual in the CX-5.
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Reasonable Fuel Consumption Returns
Base-level CX-5 trims with the smaller standard wheels return an EPA-estimated 26/30/28 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycle, while covering 428 miles on a single tank of gas from the 15.3-gallon tank. You won’t be saving anything in fuel costs over five years, as its $1,600 annual fuel cost estimate is in line with the average new vehicle consumption. Expect to spend $2.70 to drive 25 miles and $46 to fill the tank.
Upgrading to the bigger wheels on the higher trims results in a 23/29/25 MPG consumption estimate, while range gets cut down to 382 miles. You’ll find yourself spending $1,000 more on gasoline over five years, while spending $1,800 on fuel every year and $3.02 to drive 25 miles. The turbocharger nominally cuts MPG down to 22/27/24 MPG, while range takes a knock to 367 miles. You’ll be spending $1,500 more on fuel over five years, $1,900 on fuel every year, and $3.15 to drive 25 miles.
The Mazda CX-5 is one of the few options in the segment that you cannot have with a hybrid drivetrain, and this is likely to remain true for the next-generation model, but the Japanese brand has confirmed that it may bring a gasoline-electric system to the midsize SUV sometime in 2027. Considering its main rivals achieve impressive sales figures thanks to the availability of an HEV system, this is going to be a must if the brand wants to capitalize on its already accomplished product.
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Critics And Owners Swear By The CX-5
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 holds a respectable reputation among reviewers and owners. iSeeCars issues it with an 8.5/10 overall score. Contributing to this is 8.1/10 for reliability, 8.3/10 for retained value, and 9.0/10 for safety. On the reliability front, you can expect the Japanese sedan to cover an average lifespan of 14.2 years or 165,320 miles, with a 23.8 percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles.
On the value retention front, the CX-5 is likely to lose $12,199 or 42.4 percent of its value after being used for five years or 60,000 miles, which is slightly better than the rest of the midsize SUV segment. The 2025 Mazda CX-5 benefits from an 82/100 consumer-verified overall score from J.D. Power, which includes 82/100 for quality and reliability, 79/100 for the driving experience, 84/100 for resale, and 82/100 for the dealership experience. There are currently 66 owner reviews on Edmunds, with the SUV holding a 4.3/5 overall rating. Key strengths include the model’s impressive handling capabilities, highly appointed interior, and refined drivetrains, but it does lose some favor for featuring outdated technologies, a relatively cramped cabin, and delivering subpar fuel consumption estimates.
Appealingly Low Ownership Costs
Adding to the CX-5’s appeal is how low its running costs are, thanks to its simple drivetrain configurations. The base 2.5-liter models will cost around $52,460 to own, according to the Edmunds true cost to own calculator. This indicates that you’ll spend $6,273 on maintenance, $969 on repairs, $14,224 on depreciation, and $13,176 on fuel. Jumping into the turbocharged model increases your cost to $60,345, including $7,983 on maintenance, $1,114 on repairs, $15,942 on depreciation, and $16,690 on fuel.
CarEdge combines the entire CX-5 range and suggests a $41,918 average ownership cost over five years and 60,000 miles, which includes $14,569 on depreciation, $9,240 on fuel, and $2,502 on maintenance and repairs. Kelley Blue Book indicates that you will spend around $1,137 a year on routine maintenance.
Sources: Edmunds, J.D. Power, iSeeCars, the EPA, CarEdge, and KBB