The 2025 Mazda CX 5 Review: Still the Compact SUV to Beat
From behind the wheel, the first thing you notice is how connected the Mazda CX 5 feels. The steering is direct, the body stays flat through a corner, and it all happens without making you suffer a harsh ride. On paper, it's the sensible compact SUV. In practice, it's the one that makes you look for the long way home. After a week driving the 2025 model across Los Angeles, I've got a lot to say about it. Here's my full Mazda CX 5 review.
From Behind the Wheel
The Mazda CX 5 drives like a car that remembers what driving used to feel like. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 187 horsepower, which is enough for everyday duties. It's not a quick truck, but it never feels underpowered in normal traffic. The six-speed automatic shifts decisively and holds a gear when you need it, a welcome change from the droning CVTs in most rivals. The suspension tuning deserves equal praise: it absorbs sharp impacts without float, and the steering has a natural weight that many competitors lack. On a winding road, the CX-5 stays composed and even playful, which is rare in this segment.
If you step up to the turbocharged engine on upper trims, the same 2.5-liter block twists out 227 horsepower on regular gas and 256 on premium. That version will get the CX-5 to sixty in just over six seconds, which is genuinely quick for a compact crossover. The base engine is the volume seller, and it is perfectly adequate for most buyers. For the extra cost, the turbo only really makes sense if you spend a lot of time on highways or carry heavy loads. Around town, you'll find the naturally aspirated car easier to modulate in stop-and-go traffic, and it saves you about a thousand dollars up front.
The Interior and Its Old-School Charm
Inside, the Mazda CX 5 feels a generation older than the triple-screen competitors, and I mean that as a compliment. You get real rotary controls for climate and volume, a view over the hood that doesn't feel like you're in a bunker, and materials that punch above the price point. The front seats are firm and supportive on long drives, and rear legroom is fine for two average-size adults. Cargo space is 30.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.3 with the seats folded. That trails the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but not by a tragic amount.
The infotainment is operated by a rotary dial, not a touchscreen while driving. Some reviewers hate it; I find it intuitive after an hour of use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the cabin stays quiet at highway speed. You do notice some wind noise around the mirrors above 75 mph, but it's not distracting.
The Two Engines and Real-World Fuel Economy
The base powertrain earns an EPA rating of 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with all-wheel drive. In a week of mixed driving, I saw about 26 mpg, which matches the estimate. The turbo is rated at 22/27 and will drink premium if you want the extra horsepower. That said, if fuel economy is your top priority, the hybrid options from Toyota and Honda will do better. The Mazda CX 5 doesn't offer a hybrid for 2025, and that is a real gap in the lineup.
You can also choose between front- and all-wheel drive on most trims. The all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased, which makes the car feel more planted through corners and sure-footed in wet conditions. It's not a serious off-roader, but that's not what this segment is about.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
The compact SUV segment is crowded, and the CX-5 has some clear rivals. The Honda CR-V offers more cargo space and a more efficient hybrid, but its handling is softer and the interior feels vanilla. The Toyota RAV4 is the reliability pick, with a rugged image and a strong resale value, but its cabin is noisier and the driving experience is less polished. The Mazda CX 5 is the enthusiast's choice: it looks sharper, drives better, and the interior quality outclasses both of those names. What you give up is space and fuel economy.
For many buyers, the trade-off is worth it. The CX-5 is the sort of crossover you actually enjoy driving, not just tolerate. And when you compare loaded prices, the Mazda undercuts the CR-V or RAV4 by a few hundred dollars while offering more standard equipment. That's a meaningful conversation for anyone on a budget.
Should You Buy One?
Here is the bottom line. The CX-5 is a superb compact SUV for drivers who appreciate steering feel, a well-built cabin, and restraint in design. It is not the biggest, the most efficient, or the most tech-laden choice in the class. It is the most enjoyable to drive, and it forces you to make very few compromises in return. If you are carrying kids and gear every day, the CR-V or RAV4 will serve you better. If you are an enthusiast who just needs a practical crossover for the suburbs, the Mazda CX 5 is the one to get.
There are two things I would change: offer a hybrid and add a touchscreen option. The rotary dial has its fans, but a good touchscreen costs nothing in this segment. Still, neither of those issues is a deal-breaker. The CX-5 delivers a driving character that few crossovers can match, and that is worth a lot.