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Check out our comprehensive review of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 for details on the cabin, technology, amenities, and safety of this crossover.
2025 Mazda CX-5 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2025 Mazda CX-5 on Carsforsale.com
What is New for the 2025 Mazda CX-5
On sale in second-gen guise for 9 years now, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 continues to offer premium style and materials that help it stand out in the crowded compact crossover segment. Praised for athletic handling, the CX-5 in turbocharged form is also fairly fast. Changes versus the 2024 model include dropping the 2.5 S Premium model and bringing back the base 2.5 S with a sub-$30,000 price point. Other updates include newly standard USB-C front ports, wireless smartphone mirroring for Carbon Edition CX-5s, and a surround-view monitor in the 2.5 S Premium Plus model.
Carsforsale.com Score
9.25/10
Powertrain
Score
9.5/10
Interior
Score
9.25/10
Technology
Score
9/10
Value
Score
9/10
The Breakdown
Well-equipped for less than $30,000
Standard AWD
Available turbocharged engine
Small-ish cargo hold
Confusion with CX-50
Tiny towing capacity
Though long in the tooth, the CX-5 remains competitive.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Specs
- 187 horsepower from base engine
- 186 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 29.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 59.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 5 years of powertrain coverage
- Bose 10-speaker audio system
- Standard adaptive cruise control
2025 Mazda CX-5 Powertrain 9.5/10
The non-turbo trim levels are powered by a 2.5L inline-4 good for 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Carbon Edition and Premium Plus models add cylinder deactivation to earn 28 mpg combined, a meaningful uptick over the 25 mpg in base models. No matter the motor, a 6-speed automatic routes power to all four wheels as part of Mazda’s standard AWD on the CX-5, which includes torque vectoring capability.
Starting with the CX-5 2.5 Carbon Turbo trim, a 2.5L turbocharged inline-4 provides motivation courtesy of 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane. Fill ‘er up with 93 and those figures balloon to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of twist. It also enables a spritely 6.2-second sprint to 60 mph per Car and Driver versus 8.1 seconds for naturally aspirated models. The combined fuel economy figure for these CX-5s drops to 24 mpg and all 2025 Mazda CX-5s are rated for just 2,000 pounds of towing.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Interior 9.25/10
The two-row, 5-seat Mazda CX-5 comes standard with a 40/20/40 split-fold rear bench that also reclines. Rear passengers have 40” of legroom, which is just 1” shy of what the Honda CR-V offers as we discuss in this comparison. However, the Mazda’s 29 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 59 cubic feet max is quite a bit off the pace of the CR-V, which delivers 39 and 79 cubic feet, respectively.
In base spec, the 2025 CX-5 comes with cloth upholstery and leather for the steering wheel. Dual-zone automatic climate control and faux leather arrive on 2.5 S Select models with Carbon Edition variants featuring leather and red stitching. The range-topping CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature trim really dials up the glitz with exclusive Caturra Brown Nappa leather, unique contrast stitching, and genuine layered wood trim.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Technology Features 9/10
Every 2025 Mazda CX-5 features a 10.25” central display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Be aware, this non-touch-controlled interface is managed by a center console dial or steering wheel buttons. Other standard content includes a 1-year Mazda Connected Services trial with its Wi-Fi hotspot and remote vehicle control. A 10-speaker audio system from Bose is available starting with Carbon Edition models.
Mazda fits every 2025 CX-5 with forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control as part of its i-Activsense suite of advanced driver aids. The 2023 CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, while the 2025 model comes with a 5-star overall crash safety score from the NHTSA.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Trims & Pricing
2.5 S – $28,750
The entry-level 2025 CX-5 features 17” alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beam control, and rain-sensing wipers. Cabin highlights include a leather-wrapped shifter, a 4-speaker stereo system, and dual front USB-C ports.
2.5 S Select – $29,900
Select trim brings black leatherette upholstery, power adjustability for the driver’s seat, and heated cushions for both front seats.
2.5 S Preferred – $31,250
A power-operated liftgate and rear air-conditioning vents are added to the 2.5 S Preferred trim line as well as a moonroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
2.5 S Carbon Edition – $32,600
Gloss black trim defines the CX-5 Carbon Edition with its 19” wheels and exclusive Polymetal Gray Metallic finish. These models also boast wireless smartphone integration and a Bose audio system.
2.5 S Premium Plus – $35,200
The Premium Plus CX-5 sports adaptive headlights, LED tail lights, climatized front seats, a head-up display (HUD), front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor.
2.5 Carbon Turbo – $37,000
Like all turbocharged models, the 2.5 Carbon Turbo features larger exhaust outlets. This model also comes with Terracotta leather upholstery with faux suede inserts and a black headliner.
2.5 Turbo Premium – $37,800
The CX-5 Turbo Premium adds a special front grille design and black leather upholstery with red contrast stitching.
2.5 Turbo Signature – $40,600
In range-topping 2.5 Turbo Signature setup, the 2025 CX-5 is loaded with a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirroring, navigation, special leather upholstery, traffic sign recognition, and a driver attention alert.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Overall Value 9/10
For about $35,000, the 2025 CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus is a good place to start with its bevy of high-end features like heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and HUD. This puts in the crosshairs a new Honda CR-V EX-L that, while similarly outfitted, is quite a bit larger inside. Both Mazda and Honda offer 3 years of basic and 5 years of powertrain coverage with their warranties, but only Honda includes 2 years of complimentary maintenance versus none from Mazda.
Carsforsale.com Overall Score 9.25/10
2025 Mazda CX-5 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2025 Mazda CX-5 on Carsforsale.com
Perhaps the biggest flaw with the Mazda CX-5 is its CX-50 stablemate, which is newer, more spacious, and comes with the option of hybrid power. But, as Mazda notes, the CX-5 is primarily aimed at city driving, and on that mission, it delivers. Both available engines are fairly fuel efficient and AWD comes standard. Cargo space isn’t great, but the CX-5 makes up for it with handsome exterior styling and an interior that ranges from clean and simple to ritzy and luxurious. The 2025 CX-5 remains an all-around solid compact SUV option, but be sure to consult the latest new car incentives before making any final decisions.
FAQ’s About the 2025 Mazda CX-5
Does the CX-5 have a sunroof?
A sunroof comes standard on certain CX-5 models including the 2.5 S Preferred.
How long is the Mazda CX-5?
The CX-5 measures 180.1 inches in length.
What is the difference between the CX-5 and the CX-50?
They are both compact SUVs, but the CX-5 is cheaper and does not offer the hybrid powertrain that is available in the CX-50.
