- The Mazda CX-5 offers buyers a premium design and cabin
- Pricing starts at $30,190 | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Mazda CX-5 models near you
The Mazda CX-5 competes in one of the hottest and most popular segments in the automotive kingdom — that of the compact SUV. With over a dozen models competing in this category, it’s also one of the largest. Yet even against stiff competition, the Mazda CX-5 stands out from the crowd. In a segment where just about every entrant is good, the CX-5 is great.
If you’ve ever driven a Mazda, you know this isn’t happenstance. Mazda vehicles exude intentionality and what we can only describe as an automotive je ne sais quoi in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s an impressive mix of style, technology, and performance. Yet the 2025 Mazda CX-5 is more than just a star athlete in its class. Let’s look inside to see what else it has to offer.
Passenger Room and Comfort
While the Mazda CX-5 might be a pleasure to drive, it never forgets that it’s an SUV. And that means it’s built for practicality and hauling passengers and their gear alike. Here, too, it succeeds on several levels. Other features that make this mainstream SUV feel more like a premium one is that a 6-way power driver’s seat and front-seat heating with three power levels are included in all but the base trim.
There is plenty of room up front for all manner of body types, and that extends to the second row, too. Back there, you’ll find a surprising amount of legroom for a compact SUV — 39.6 inches. Another feature we love — and pets will, too, if they’re your travel companions — is standard rear air vents.
Features and Tech
The Mazda CX-5 comes standard with a 10.25-inch wide-screen display that sits front and center on the dash. We’ve found it works seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both systems are standard, and the upper trims of the CX-5 feature wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. New this year dual USB-C ports are now standard.
Unlike infotainment systems in other vehicles, this one isn’t dependent on touch; Mazda’s product experts tell us safe, distraction-free driving was top of mind when developing the system. Thus, infotainment and other functions are controlled via a rotary dial just below the gear shift lever where your hand naturally falls, or via voice command.
If you’re the type of person who constantly has a soundtrack when driving, you’ll want to turn your attention to models with the 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. It comes standard starting on the 2.5 S Carbon Edition.
Materials and Design
Even the least-expensive Mazda CX-5 is a nice place to be. It all starts with design. The CX-5 might swim in the sea of mainstream compact SUVs, but it has long looked like something that could wear a premium badge. From material choices to fit and finish, the Mazda CX-5 looks a cut above the competition.
The difference starts with the materials, as even the base CX-5 boasts features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector. Side note: The Mazda’s leather-wrapped steering wheel is one of the finest we’ve felt. Seriously. Grasp it and see for yourself. Upper trims feature genuine leather seating, culminating in Caturra Brown Nappa in the top trim. Other perks like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel can also be had on the CX-5.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
The Mazda CX-5 has 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in position and up to 59.3 cubic feet with them down. These might not be class-leading numbers, but they are more than respectable. And even here, the CX-5 stands out from others. Instead of just having two sections that fold, the rear seats are foldable in three sections as a 40/20/40 split with one-touch folding and reclining functionality. As a compact SUV, the CX-5’s cargo room should give buyers plenty to work with when it comes to carrying everything from groceries to sports gear.
Build and price your own version of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 to see this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, or check out Mazda CX-5 models for sale near you.
