2020 Mazda CX-5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Marketing angles aside, Mazda does a better job executing on the concept of premium than its competitors. At Mazda, going premium is about more than just a claim. Captivating style, compelling substance, and continual product improvement provide evidence of the automaker’s commitment to building better cars and SUVs worthy of higher prices.

For example, this model year, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 has more standard equipment, revised instrumentation and control markings to enhance the appearance of the cabin, and modifications to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. The SUV’s turbocharged engine also sees an increase in torque output, while versions with all-wheel drive (AWD) gain a new off-road traction assistance feature.

Prices run from an MSRP of $27,950 to $41,900, and trim levels include GX, GS, GT, GT Turbo, and Signature. The test vehicle had Signature trim at the highest of those price points, extra-cost Machine Gray metallic paint, and a rear bumper guard to protect against scratches from luggage and cargo. An extra $2,065 for required fees is not included in these prices.

The original Mazda CX-5 put the company on its current design path, and now, nearly a decade later, those “Kodo” styling themes still look terrific. Mazda makes the CX-5 look appealing, distinctive, and upscale all at the same time, a trick that many automakers simply cannot pull off with equal success.

The same goes for the CX-5’s interior, especially in Signature trim, where premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner combine to give the SUV a luxurious look and feel. Unfortunately, the Caturra Brown leather is almost indistinguishable from the otherwise black cabin, which lessens the level of contrast that often makes a vehicle seem premium.

A 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine making power specs of 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque is standard in the CX-5 GX, GS, and GT trim levels. It uses a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on GX and GS with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional, while in Canada the latter is standard on the upper trims.

Upgrade to GT Turbo or Signature trim, and you get a turbocharged version of that engine. Fuel it with premium, and this powertrain will generate 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Run it on regular, and those figures drop to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft, respectively. The turbo CX-5 uses the same six-speed automatic and comes only with AWD.

That’s a healthy amount of power for a compact crossover SUV, and the Mazda CX-5 Signature accelerates with authority despite a 1,734-kilogram (3,823-pound) curb weight. The turbocharged engine is less efficient, though, rated to get 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, compared to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the naturally-aspirated engine with all-wheel drive (with front-wheel drive, the non-turbo engine is rated at 8.8 L/100 km combined). We averaged 10.6 L/100 km on the testing loop.

As is true of any Mazda, the CX-5 Signature is more than just quick. It’s genuinely engaging to drive thanks in part to its standard G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology. This system uses the brakes to stabilize the SUV when approaching, rounding, and exiting corners, creating a more enjoyable driving sensation for everyone aboard.

Nevertheless, despite GVC Plus, the upgraded brakes that come with the turbocharged engine, and the 19-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 tires that are standard on all but the GX and GS trims, the CX-5 doesn’t feel quite as thrilling and confidence-inspiring as most other Mazdas do.

The problem is this SUV’s excessive body motions when you’re hustling it down a favourite back road. Sitting tall on a stubby and narrow wheelbase, the CX-5 has a centre of gravity high enough to cause all manner of rocking and rolling when pitching the SUV through curves, and it gets tiresome after a while. An adaptive-damping suspension could work wonders here.

Aside from this, however, the almost telepathic steering and faithful brakes are certainly up to the task of showing the driver a good time. And in typical driving situations, the Mazda CX-5 Signature is a delight. You can easily lead the pack away from an intersection, toss the SUV around corners, and squirt through holes in traffic. You just won’t be inspired to take the long way home, which is an unusual thing to say about a Mazda.

Moving upmarket where there is less competition and where this Mazda might get cross-shopped with the smallest and cheapest luxury SUVs also solves another problem. The CX-5’s interior is more cramped than the sales leaders in the mainstream compact crossover segment, like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, making the Mazda uncompetitive in terms of practicality and utility. By placing focus on the CX-5’s more upscale cabin and a more generous list of standard equipment, Mazda attempts to de-emphasize that demerit.

Every version of the Mazda CX-5 has an interior reflecting style and good taste, from the classy-looking and remarkably clear gauges to the elegant metallic accents around the cabin. Heated front seats are standard.

GS trim adds power height-adjustable driver's seat and passenger seat and a heated steering wheel, and its optional Comfort Package steps up the CX-5’s game with rear air conditioning vents and dual-zone automatic climate control. GT equips the SUV with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. To this, the Signature adds a dollop of luxury with Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more.

Aside from their small size, the CX-5 Signature’s front seats are quite comfortable. Rear passengers might complain about legroom, but the back seat is otherwise accommodating for two adults. On hot summer days, the air conditioning takes a long time to cool off the cabin.

Cargo space behind the rear seat measures 875 litres, and if you choose GS trim or higher, a power liftgate with a programmable height limit. Fold the back seat down, and the maximum cargo volume amounts to 1,687 litres.

Equipped with a Mazda Connect infotainment system that patterns itself after Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, the CX-5’s tech setup immediately conveys an upscale impression. It can also be equally frustrating and require as long a period of acclimation as the technology from those German luxury automakers.

With GX trim, Mazda Connect has a 7-inch touchscreen display, but it responds to touch only when the vehicle isn’t moving. Bluetooth, HD Radio, text messaging support, integrated internet radio apps, and E911 emergency notification are a part of this system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard.

The CX-5 GT installs SiriusXM satellite radio with a five-year subscription to traffic, weather, news, sports, and more, and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and on-board navigation, and the GT Turbo adds a colour 8-inch touchscreen. Signature trim enhances the technology with a surround-view camera system.

You interact with Mazda Connect by using the touchscreen (if the CX-5 isn’t moving), by using the controls on the centre console or the steering wheel, or by using the voice-recognition technology. None of these solutions is ideal.

To reduce frustration, be sure to go through every Mazda Connect feature and function and get things set up the way you want them. After that, maximize your use of the steering controls as much as possible, relying less on the awkwardly placed centre console controls and the touchscreen. The voice-recognition technology cannot interpret naturally voiced commands or queries, and frequently fails to provide any feedback explaining its lack of response, so it is best to avoid the push-to-talk button altogether.

For 2021, Mazda is swapping this version of Mazda Connect out in favour of the more recent version of the system. The touchscreen goes away, but the display is wider and more modern in appearance. However, based on experience using this system in the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30, many of the same operational issues continue to exist.

When you think of automotive brands that deliver big on safety, Mazda probably doesn’t spring to mind. It should. Not only does the automaker make many of its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) standard equipment on most of its models, it also passes crash-test evaluations like a student with a 4.0 grade-point average.

The standard ADAS package includes smart city brake support (automatic emergency braking), blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist are added at the GS trim.

Additionally, the CX-5 has standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers. Adaptive headlights come standard with Grand Touring trim.

As a result of these safety features, the CX-5’s fundamentally sound structural engineering, and its performance in crash tests, this Mazda earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Not only does this SUV earn these overall ratings, but when you look at its performance in individual testing parameters, it gets the highest marks nearly across the board. So, is the 2020 Mazda CX-5 safe? You bet it is.

Perhaps more than any other brand trying to position itself as premium, Mazda has the style and the substance to back up such assertions.

Rather than raise prices and hope the marketing team can convince consumers they’re getting more by paying more, Mazda has instead held the line on base pricing, invested in its products, and added more luxurious models so that its customers actually do get more without paying (much) more.

In turn, Mazda’s design, engineering, and quality are indeed a cut above what mainstream competitors offer. Regardless of the model you choose, you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth instead of getting ripped off. And this is especially true if you cross-shop something like a Mazda CX-5 Signature against any small SUV from any luxury brand.

From this perspective, the Mazda CX-5 is a cost-effective choice among compact SUVs. But if you measure value purely by interior size, cargo utility, extensive warranty plans, generous connected service plans, or the cachet that only comes from a luxury marque, there is likely a better choice for you among the 40+ small and compact SUVs for sale today.

Note: Images show a US model.