Americans buy compact SUVs for lots of practical reasons. They pack a lot of living space into an easy-to-drive-and-park footprint. They get reasonable fuel economy. They’re reasonably priced. They’re tall enough to see over some traffic but not so oversized that their seating position comes with trade-offs. They’re a solid choice for a lot of drivers.
But they’re not all alike. In the affordable car classes, Mazda makes the drivers’ cars. The Mazda CX-5 is the practical small SUV for those who love to drive. Its combination of a near-luxury interior, great handling balance, and the practical virtues of a small SUV put it near the top of its class. And one CX-5 outsells the rest – the 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Preferred.
CX-5 shoppers don’t want for choices. Mazda builds the 2022 CX-5 in seven trim levels and one special edition. But the 2.5 S Preferred is the most popular CX-5 because it’s fun to drive at neighborhood speeds and provides near-luxury features at a reasonable price — $29,510 (plus $1,225 delivery fee).
It carries a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower, which gets 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. Mazda offers a more powerful, 256-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder on more expensive models. But most buyers find the non-turbo engine more than enough for their needs.
All CX-5 models get standard all-wheel drive (a new twist for 2022 – you’ll find front-wheel drive 2021 and older models on the used market) and a 6-speed automatic transmission, which Mazda remapped for sportier feel in 2022.
The 2022 CX-5 also carries a full suite of modern driver safety aids, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
The popular 2.5 S Preferred adds luxury touches like leather-trimmed seats (heated in the front row), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a power sliding moonroof, and a power liftgate with programmable height adjustment. It gets a 6-speaker sound system rather than the four speakers of the base model.
Here’s a quick look at some of its key features:
Heated Leather Seats, Leather Steering Wheel
Mazdas are unique among mainstream car brands in that their driving feel approaches what you get in a luxury car. Simply put, a Mazda tends to handle with a little more athleticism than a comparably priced Honda or Chevrolet.
Adding a few luxury trim items to a Mazda gives you the feel of a sporty European SUV for a lower entry price. The 2.5 S Preferred combines Mazda’s fantastic handling balance with heated leather seats and a leather-wrapped wheel, bringing it a step closer to premium.
8-Way Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat with Power Lumbar Support
Speaking of seats, the 2.5 S Preferred also comes with more seat comfort.
Americans spend almost 300 hours per year behind the wheel. If we told you to buy a chair you’d need to spend 300 hours in, you’d pay careful attention to how easily you could customize it to support your body’s unique shape.
Lower CX-5 trim levels use a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat. The CX-5 2.5 S Preferred adds an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with a power lumbar support. You’ll appreciate the added comfort
10.25-inch Full-Color Display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Every CX-5 ships with the same 10.25-inch touchscreen display. That’s a nice touch in a class where most automakers offer a smaller standard screen and make a 10-inch-or-larger model available only on upper trim levels or as an expensive option. Mazda’s screen includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration but still requires a wired connection for both.
Even without accessing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Mazda’s entertainment system can read text messages and allow you to reply with a voice-to-text feature – a safety system in the age of distractions.
Power Liftgate with Programmable Height Adjustment
Nobody needs a power liftgate until they’ve owned a car with a power liftgate. It’s just one of those features that turn out to be more convenient than you expect. And if you routinely park indoors and have a low overhead clearance, you can control how high the powered rear liftgate will rise. A power liftgate is standard on the CX-5 2.5 S Preferred, unavailable on lesser trims.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
Cruise control is a great way to avoid fatigue on long highway drives. Mazda’s radar-based system will work to keep your car a safe distance from the car ahead and can even bring you to a gentle stop if the car ahead slows to a halt. It will then return to the speed you set at the touch of a button.
If the car ahead stops suddenly, the CX-5’s automatic emergency braking system will both hit the brakes and prompt you to take control.
This system is found on every CX-5 regardless of trim level. But it’s too useful not to mention.
More 2022 Mazda CX-5
Build and price your own 2023 Mazda CX-5 to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see CX-5 models for sale near you.
