Thinking of buying a used Mazda CX-5?
The style of the car
The CX-5 is a distinctive SUV that has a premium feel you’d normally associate with more-expensive rivals. It has a sporty look inside and out that sets it apart from most rivals, yet it’s as roomy and versatile as most other mid-size SUVs.
How it drives
The CX-5 is fun to drive for a family SUV, with responsive steering and an agile feel through corners. A high driving position gives you a good view of what’s around you and standard parking sensors help to make it easy to park. Four-wheel drive models are less fuel-efficient than the front-wheel drive versions but provide extra reassurance on slippery surfaces. You can tow up to 2100kg with a CX-5, which is enough for a large caravan or trailer.
The interior
The CX-5 is about the same size as rivals such as the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan, albeit a fraction longer. It’s a spacious five-seat, five-door SUV that makes a great family car. The boot is large and well shaped, with a 503-litre capacity that’s enough for three big suitcases.
The CX-5 is particularly well equipped, with the entry-level SE-L Nav+ featuring sat nav and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sport Nav+ adds a 10-speaker Bose stereo, while GT Sport Nav+ has ventilated and heated seats.
Running costs and reliability
Running costs for the Mazda CX-5 are similar to those of most rival SUVs, with petrol and diesel engines that give you respectable mpg. There’s no option of hybrid or pure electric power, however. Mazda also has a very good reputation for reliability as a brand, although it only achieved a mid-table ranking in the J.D. Power 2019 UK Vehicle Dependability Study, an independent customer satisfaction survey. All models come with advanced safety features and the CX-5 was awarded a full five stars by the independent safety organisation Euro NCAP.
Mazda CX-5 vs rivals
The CX-5 is Mazda’s largest SUV. It’s significantly bigger than the CX-3 and MX-30. The CX-5 has a more premium look and feel than the Ford Kuga and is a close match for the Volkswagen Tiguan in terms of practicality and quality.
