2021 Mazda CX-5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

While some automakers are firmly in the lane of deeply-creased hoods, angled taillights, and chiseled grilles, Mazda has gone in the opposite design direction. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is a smooth steed that looks slippery even when standing still. It’s no hot shot, but takes the played-out Mazda sameness in a stylish direction.

There aren’t large differences on the exterior of most of the CX-5 trim levels. The base CX-5 GX comes with automatic on/off LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, rear privacy glass, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The higher tier Mazda CX-5 GS adds leatherette seats, two rear USB ports in the armrest, a six-speaker sound system, a power liftgate, auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual heated exterior mirrors, six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and auto-leveling LED headlights that move the direction the wheel is turned to illuminate the way ahead. These headlights are especially helpful when turning corners in neighbourhoods and driving on winding rural roads at night.

Buyers can elevate their GS model with the Comfort Package, which adds dual-zone automatic climate control, rear passenger air vents, keyless entry, and power moonroof.

Mazda is offering the CX-5 Kuro Edition with the features listed above plus a Polymetal Gray paint job, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. The interior of the SUV has red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim on the dashboard and door panels. Mazda has given the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob red stitching.

The CX-5 GT builds on the GS model adding leather-trimmed upholstery, 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels, a Bose 10-speaker premium audio system, LED taillights, and LED fog lights. A power liftgate, 7-inch digital gauge display, and SiriusXM join the equipment. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel are optional.

In the Mazda CX-5 Signature, the model that was our tester, buyers get a vehicle that is solidly premium, rivaling the offerings from Buick, Infiniti, and Acura. It adds on what is in the GT with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim upping the ante in the car while design choices like a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, a black headliner, and 19-inch gunmetal aluminum alloy wheels push that notion even further.

Styling in the top-tier model is well-executed with good fit and finish. The materials of the interior of the CX-5 feel good in hand and are above what you'll typically find in a compact crossover.

You can’t go wrong with either of the two engine options in the 2021 CX-5, but one delivers more spirited performance. The CX-5 GX has a naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine under the hood that produces 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque no matter if there’s regular (87 octane) or premium (93 octane) fuel in the tank. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift and sport models completes the powertrain. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard drivetrain and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. The CX-5 GS and Kuro Edition also have the base engine.

Buyers who select the GT get to choose between the 2.5-litre unit and a 250-hp, turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder that delivers a robust 320 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission is also paired with this engine. Powering the Signature trim level is the turbo-four. AWD is standard on these models.

A Mazda CX-5 with FWD that is powered by the non-turbo engine is the most fuel-efficient version burning 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.8 on the highway, and 8.8 combined. Changing out FWD for AWD on those models makes the SUV less green, coming in with 10.2 in the city, 8.2 on the highway, and 9.3 combined.

Models with the turbocharged engine are just about as fuel-efficient as their naturally aspirated counterparts. The turbo-four with standard AWD uses 10.8 L/100 km in the city, 8.7 hwy, and 9.8 combined. These fuel efficiency numbers are okay but not as good as some models in the class. Mazda's rivals offer hybrid variants of their compact SUVs and currently, that is not an option for North American Mazda customers.

The turbo engine delivers plenty of power that combines with the CX-5’s signature engaging driving style to deliver a properly fun time behind the wheel, when in Sport mode. In the normal drive mode, the engine is best over 70 kilometres per hour and steering begs to be firmed up. But, push the car on winding roads and you’ll wish that its seats had better bolstering, even as the AWD keeps it firmly planted to the ground.

One very noticeable side effect of the Mazda’s sporty drive style is the SUV’s stiff suspension. It’s one place where mass-market and premium brands have an advantage over the Mazda. The driving experience can be fun, but the Mazda CX-5's little brother, the CX-30, is far sportier and agile on the road, especially the model equipped with the same turbo-four that is in the CX-5.

The Mazda CX-5’s design execution allows it to fulfill most of the functions families want to use it for in comfort and style, and with ease.

The seating position, distance to the centre stack from the front row, and comfort level of the seats are all typical of an SUV of the CX-5’s size. Headroom is good in both rows but legroom suffers for back seat passengers, especially if someone on the taller end is sitting up in the front seats.

Like most SUVs of its size, the Mazda CX-5 has two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat. They’re not the easiest to use, but get the job done.

Mazda wins points for having straightforward, easy-to-use climate controls. They’re not super high-tech and pretty status quo for the company’s lineup, but when it works so well, there’s no point in changing it up.

A larger shifter at the centre of the car takes up a fair amount of passenger space. Though this traditionally wouldn’t be an issue, the most modern compact SUVs have switched to push-button, dial, and small movable electronic shifters that take up less space.

Behind the shifter are Mazda’s infotainment system controls. Because of their position, for shorter drivers, the controls aren’t in the easiest or most intuitive position.

Compact SUVs tend to have more cargo space than you’d think based on their exterior dimensions. The CX-5 is an exception. Behind the second row, you'll find 875 litres of cargo space. With the rear seats folded, owners have access to 1,687 litres of storage in the cargo area. Those numbers are below average for the segment. The Subaru Forester holds 6 litres more volume, while the Toyota RAV4 holds 74 litres more, while the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V have even more. A power liftgate is available.

Every Mazda CX-5 comes standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen. The size is marvelous; Mazda’s operating system is not. While it certainly has its high points—it’s generally uncluttered looking—the information presented on the screen is not in keeping with modern design, cheapening a vehicle that is generally high-class for its price point and proves troublesome to use via the knob in the centre console.

There are no knobs for quickly and easily tuning the stereo or scrolling through favourites, though the volume can be easily brought up and down via a switch on the steering wheel or a knob in the centre console. Some of this functionality can occur via the touch screen, but its positioning makes it a stretch for a driver or front passenger to reach.

It helps that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, so you can just use your phone and the steering wheel controls to switch between songs on your playlist. Still, a workaround to be entertained should not be required.

Mazda’s long list of standard safety features 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.

Buyers can add on a head-up display (HUD), reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition. Buyer beware, the traffic sign recognition technology is often slow to display the correct speed and is frequently missing information.

Those features have helped the SUV earn high safety ratings. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a rating achieved by 49 vehicles this year. It received all Good scores in its crash tests but buyers who want the best headlights available on the model should plan to upgrade to the adaptive lighting system.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the SUV similar accolades, labeling it a five-star vehicle.

Mazda backs every new CX-5 with a three-year/unlimited kilometre new vehicle warranty and a five-year/unlimited kilometre powertrain warranty.

Mazda has priced the CX-5 well compared to other compact SUVs. Pricing for the CX-5 GX starts at $29,200. Moving up to the CX-5 GS will cost you $32,400. The CX-5 Kuro Edition has a $37,200 price tag. The GT costs $38,600 with the base engine and $40,750 with the Turbo, and the Signature has an MSRP of $42,950. A $1,950 destination charge is extra.

The CX-5’s competition offers some advantages over the Mazda. On the cheaper end, buyers can opt for the Kia Sportage over the Mazda CX-5, but it has far fewer standard features than the Mazda. The similarly priced Chevrolet Equinox has better predicted reliability. Subaru gives the Forester standard all-wheel drive. Getting the Jeep Cherokee will give you a model with outstanding off-road prowess.

What Mazda lacks is a hybrid option. Rivals including the Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV4 all offer hybrid variants that are listed within the Mazda’s price range. However, those models are built for efficiency so they’re not as nicely appointed as the Mazda.

In its Signature grade, the CX-5 is most matched up against the Nissan Rogue. The Rogue’s infotainment and safety systems are much more modern, its ride quality is better, and there’s a unique two-tone paint job option.

As it ages, the CX-5 is facing increased competition from new cars including the Hyundai Tucson and Mitsubishi Outlander, both of which are new for the 2022 model year, and the Ford Bronco Sport, which is new for 2021. A fresh Volkswagen Tiguan is also on the way.