2017 Mazda Cx5
/
10
RATING
HIGHLIGHTS
Luxury feel at a reasonable price, gorgeous styling inside and out, fun to drive.
LOWLIGHTS
Limited storage space, engine could use a bit more thrust, dated infotainment system.
VERDICT
The CX-5 may not be the best at anything in its class, but its upscale aura, fun-to-drive nature, and attractive pricing make it a winner.
Summary
The CX-5 may not be the best at anything in its class, but its upscale aura, fun-to-drive nature, and attractive pricing make it a winner.
Cost of ownership
Buying
N/A
Driving
N/A
Service
N/A
Car Interior
First-rate materials and a fabulous layout make the CX-5's cabin feel especially upscale. It’s clear that Mazda's interior-styling team sweated the details of this redesign. The seats are very comfortable, but we wish power adjustment and ventilated seats were at least an option for leather-clad models. Mazda added more sound insulation and a thicker windshield to make the new CX-5 quieter than before. Sacrifices come in small packages, though: the CX-5's cargo volume has actually decreased with the redesign. The new model’s rear storage space is more useful, however, because of its completely flat load floor.
Every CX-5 sports an attractive 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that satisfies with an intuitive console-mounted rotary control and straightforward interface. While the Mazda Connect system wouldn’t seem out of place in a BMW or Audi, it’s missing desirable features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The base Sport trim has a four-speaker stereo, HD radio, and two USB ports. Touring models have two more speakers and two extra USB ports on the back of the center console. Navigation and a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system come with the Preferred Equipment package. On the Grand Touring trim, that package is standard, as is SiriusXM satellite radio.
Technical details
Performance
The CX-5’s lone engine is Mazda’s familiar 187-hp 2.5-liter inline-four, and it drives through a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. Snappy low-speed throttle response is satisfying, but the engine loses gumption on the highway, leaving us thirsty for thrust. You don’t need to drive the CX-5 hard to appreciate its excellence. Sure, its precise steering and composed cornering make for one helluva Sunday cruise. But it also soaks up rough roads without commotion and has the ride quality of crossovers that cost twice as much. Pavement imperfections are isolated, road noise is minimal, and the damping is neither stiff nor floaty. At the same time, the Mazda comes alive on curvy roads for a joyous driving experience.
Known Issues
Diesel engines have a gasket issue
Driver Profile
Family car
