Used 2021 Mazda CX-5 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 cost?

Prices have softened 8.03% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 445 listings available, which suggests a reasonable amount of inventory for you to compare.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda CX-5 earns a 4.79/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise the luxurious feel, sporty performance, comfortable interior, and generous standard equipment. That lines up well with Mazda’s pitch for this model year: a compact SUV that can meet the needs of a typical family while still feeling more polished and upscale than many rivals. The 2021 updates also add enhanced technology and a new Kuro Edition for Canadian buyers.

With 35.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding value if you shop carefully.

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 that feels dependable and trouble-free enough to inspire confidence over time, especially if you want a compact SUV you can count on for everyday use. Mazda’s powertrain warranty also supports that ownership story, and the model’s overall reputation in owner comments is strongly positive.

The main long-term ownership risk for used buyers is that some of the same complaints keep coming up, especially road noise and the infotainment system’s dated feel.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The GX is the most basic version, while the GS adds leatherette seats, a power liftgate, heated exterior mirrors, and power-adjustable front seats. The GS can also be upgraded with the Comfort Package, and the Kuro Edition adds distinctive blacked-out styling and red leather upholstery. The GT brings leather-trimmed upholstery, a Bose premium audio system, LED taillights, and a digital gauge display, while the Signature adds Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and a more premium cabin feel.
• Powertrain: The base 2.5-litre four-cylinder makes 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder delivers 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel. Front-wheel drive is standard on the base engine, all-wheel drive is available, and AWD is standard with the turbo engine in the Signature.
• 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 not especially easy to use, so you should test it carefully before buying.
• Fuel efficiency: The non-turbo FWD model uses 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.8 on the highway, and 8.8 combined. With AWD, that rises to 10.2 city, 8.2 highway, and 9.3 combined. The turbocharged AWD version uses 10.8 city, 8.7 highway, and 9.8 combined.

Which 2021 Mazda CX-5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is offered in 5 trim levels: GX, GS, Kuro Edition, GT, Signature.

Here's the short version:

• GX: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core CX-5 experience with standard safety tech, LED lighting, and the 10.25-inch infotainment screen. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it is the least richly equipped.
• GS: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds a more upscale cabin, a power liftgate, and more convenience features without jumping all the way to the pricier trims. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, start here.
• Kuro Edition: Choose this if you want the GS equipment with a more distinctive look, including black exterior accents, black wheels, and a red-and-black interior theme.
• GT: This trim is the better pick if you want a more premium feel, thanks to the Bose audio system, leather-trimmed upholstery, and added display and lighting upgrades.
• Signature: This is the most luxurious CX-5 in the lineup, with Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and the strongest premium presentation. It suits you best if you want the top cabin experience and are willing to pay for it.

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 looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 445 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.03% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $25,422 CAD, 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 $25,422 CAD sits slightly below last year's $27,642 CAD.

That price movement suggests the CX-5 has softened enough to create a more attractive buying window today, but it also means future sellers may face some pressure if the market keeps moving in the same direction. If you buy at the current average, you are starting from a lower base than last year’s shoppers did, which can help limit depreciation risk in the near term. Strong demand for well-equipped, well-liked compact SUVs should still support resale interest, especially for cleaner examples with desirable trims.

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 an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Mazda includes a long list of standard driver-assistance features: 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 also 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 the best headlights are not standard on every version, so you should check whether the example you are considering has the adaptive lighting system. The traffic sign recognition feature is also described as slow and sometimes 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:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.03% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda added enhanced technology, discontinued the diesel engine, and introduced a new Kuro Edition for Canadian buyers.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,957 CAD, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $25,422 CAD average.
• It offers a more premium feel with stylish design and a fun-to-drive character.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,861 CAD, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,422 CAD average.
• It brings more substantial updates and a stronger premium push.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and current-market value, the 2021 is the sensible default. If you are more price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 is worth a look if you want the newer premium-focused updates and can stretch your budget.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.