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The 2020 Mazda CX-5 is one of the safest, most engaging, and most luxurious compact SUVs in a crowded market, but is it the best?
2020 Mazda CX-5 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2020 Mazda CX-5 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2020 Mazda CX-5?
First and foremost, the new 2020 Mazda CX-5 features the company’s excellent i-Activsense suite of advanced driver safety aids throughout the lineup for the first time. In addition, Mazda has worked hard to reduce noise intrusion into the cabin as well. There have been very small changes like the font used and the key fob. Finally, one larger change is that the diesel engine, the SkyActiv-D is no longer available.
The Breakdown
Very sporty handling
Luxury looks
Great safety features
Not the best infotainment system
Cramped rear seats
Efficiency or power, not both
2020 CX-5 Specs
- 187 horsepower from base engine
- 186 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 30.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 59.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Standard rear seat USB ports
- Stop and Go Adaptive Cruise Control
- Has an industry standard warranty
2020 Mazda CX-5 Powertrain
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 is a tale of two engines in many ways, and that’s not a bad thing. The base 2.5L 4-cylinder motor is a bit lazy. It takes some 8.7-seconds to reach 60 mph from a dead stop and that’s not sporty by any measure. Nevertheless, it’s capable of getting more than 30 mpg on the highway, so for those that need economy, it’s a good choice. We say that because it’s still mated to a very smooth six-speed automatic and, despite the added time it needs to get to highway speeds, it’s quiet and comfortable enough.
The turbocharged engine is a whole different ball game. It’s downright quick, reaching 60 in just 6.2 seconds. All turbo CX-5 models are fitted with all-wheel-drive, and that’s great because this car uses it. Off the line it’s quick, on the highway it’s quick, and around curves it’s outstanding. It’s so well balanced and Mazda’s torque vectoring system is so good that the CX-5 doesn’t feel too far off from similarly classed EVs. That’s saying a lot since EVs have a much lower center of gravity.
Steering is equally up to the task with some of the best feedback available in a car like this at this price point. It loads up nicely as a turn sharpens and never seems to stop communicating clearly about what the tires are up to. The braking system is also very good and far less grabby than rivals like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
2020 Mazda CX-5 Fuel Economy & MPG
Overall, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 isn’t wholly inefficient as the base engine gets 28 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive models drop to 26 mpg and the more potent turbo engine falls all the way to 24 mpg combined. It’s important to keep in mind that while the turbo engine will run on 87 octane, buyers won’t get full power unless they run 91 octane or higher.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
It’s hard to describe the leaps and bounds that Mazda has made in the past decade when it comes to interior comfort. Every surface inside the 2020 Mazda CX-5 seems to have been thoughtfully considered. Even the cloth seats on the Sport model are supportive with great stitching. Take a gander at the dash and it’s clear that from one door handle to the other, the details have been covered. The panel gaps are small and consistent and the switchgear feels above average throughout the cabin.
Driving down the road is a very positive experience in the front two seats. The CX-5 maintains a very predictable line on the road and doesn’t become unsettled even when the road gets rough. Despite its small stature, the CX-5 has enough room for even taller individuals like myself to sit and see out comfortably. Sadly, things change quite a bit once you’re in the back.
Rear legroom is reserved for those most likely in their adolescence. It’s still capable of carrying full-sized adults, we just wouldn’t suggest it for long trips. Still, for those who do end up back there, we appreciate the climate vents, the USB ports, and the privacy glass to keep things cool. Behind those seats, the cargo room is fairly limited compared to some of the competition. Those in the market for maximum space might look elsewhere.
Entertainment & Technology
Mazda was committed to avoiding touchscreens for a long while and it shows up a bit in how slow the 7 and 8-inch units respond in the 2020 Mazda CX-5. While the graphics and resolution are great, it’s a bit slow to respond to touches and selections. The user interface is very straightforward though, so for the patient, there is a reward.
In addition, the integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay supersedes some of the slowness of the stock system. The integrated navigation does a nice job and offers clear controls that take very little time to understand.
We really love the advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control that works all the way down to a full stop and the lane-keeping assist that holds its position between the markers quite well.
Safety Features
All 2020 Mazda CX-5 models get i-ActiveSense which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane-keep assist, and more. It’s hard to knock any vehicle with this many standard safety features. It’s also impossible to nit-pick one that adds an IIHS Top Safety Pick + award as well as a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA. Overall, the CX-5 is at the top of the safety pile.
2020 Mazda CX-5 Trims & Pricing
Sport – $26,290
Those that go to their local Mazda dealer and pick up the base CX-5 will get front-wheel-drive powered by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower and is routed through a six-speed automatic. They’ll also get 17-inch wheels, a 7-inch infotainment system, automatic LED headlights, and cloth upholstery. In addition, all CX-5s get i-ActiveSense which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, and lane-keep assist. All 2020 Mazda CX-5 models can add all-wheel-drive with a $1,400 option.
Touring – $27,930
Buyers picking up the Touring version will find faux leather upholstery, integrated Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear privacy glass, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear a/c vents.
Grand Touring – $31,410
The Grand Touring trim level stacks an upgraded driver information display, 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power sunroof, a Bose 10-Speaker Premium audio system, and a power rear tailgate.
Grand Touring Reserve – $36,235
At the Grand Touring Reserve level the Mazda CX-5 gets the much more engaging turbocharged engine with 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque mated to an all-wheel-drive setup. It also gets ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heads-up display, and a heated steering wheel.
Signature – $38,255
The top-of-the-line Signature trim gets an upgraded leather upholstery package, front and rear parking sensors, real wood trim, and a 360-degree camera system.
Warranties
If Mazda is lagging behind anywhere, it might be in the warranty category where it’s simply equal to many other brands. It offers a 3-year 36,000-mile limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and no complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2020 Mazda CX-5 – newsroom.mazda.com | Shop 2020 Mazda CX-5 on Carsforsale.com
I love driving fast and typically dislike most cars in this segment because they’re bad at it. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 is everything right with this group though. It proves that a bit taller and a bit more utility doesn’t have to fully diminish driving enthusiasm. For my money, I wouldn’t have anything else.
