Mazda’s small SUV continues to impress. It’s a fun, engaging drive with terrific handling and a sophisticated cabin that puts rivals to shame.
The base engine is underwhelming when it comes to getting going but it’s quick off the mark when you’re pushing harder. A 256kW turbo engine is available that’s far more in keeping with the CX-5’s athletic handling.
Interior
Despite being a generation older than some rivals, the CX-5’s fun-to-drive personality and sophisticated styling still set it apart. It’s also kept up-to-date with current technology and has one of the class’s best safety ratings.
Mazda’s design team shows a keen understanding of how lines, shapes and proportions interact in its vehicles. The interior is no exception. Its cockpit feels spacious and inviting, with a 10.3-inch infotainment display protruding high from the dashboard. Mazda’s rotary controller for the infotainment system is easy to use and has shortcut buttons built in, while a pert little volume knob sits nearby.
The standard engine is a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder with cylinder deactivation that can run on either regular 87-octane fuel or premium 93-octane gasoline. It’s mated to a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. With i-Stop tech and a retuned front stabilizer bar, it achieves excellent EPA city/highway fuel economy of 26/31 mpg.
If you want to boost the power, there’s an optional 256-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. That’s enough to propel the CX-5 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is right in line with competitors. Our road tester, however, found the turbo’s initial rush a bit underwhelming. He also felt there was a discernible amount of turbo lag if you goosed it. Mazda’s warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, plus roadside assistance.
Exterior
Mazda designed the CX-5 to stand out in a crowded market with its captivating style, exceptional handling and near-luxury interior. The 2024 model year adds some improvements to the already excellent SUV, but it is mostly business as usual for this tried-and-true model.
Its smaller footprint allows it to lean into its sporty driving qualities that some larger mid-size SUVs can’t match. It also delivers a smooth and comfortable ride even on rough road surfaces.
The most affordable CX-5 is equipped with a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel. The top-of-the-line Carbon Turbo model gets the same powerplant but adds a boost in output to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
Both models feature a widescreen infotainment system controlled by a BMW-esque rotary controller located on the console. The controls are easy to get used to and offer a number of shortcut buttons that make navigation, music and phone use much easier.
The 2024 CX-5 was last tested in 2017 and earned five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). This SUV has six airbags including dual frontal, side chest, and curtain. The Suna is unique to the range and offers stunning Terracotta Nappa leather seats with black perforated suede-like accents and gunmetal trim.
Performance
Mazda is one of the few automakers that takes interior design seriously. That’s evident from the start, with a dash and controls that look and feel upscale compared to competitors. I don’t think it’s as rich-feeling as the best Toyota and Honda models, but it’s close.
It’s a nice little car to drive, too. The Mazda’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder has decent power, and the six-speed automatic is responsive without being hyperactive. The front-drive CX-5 isn’t quite as nimble as some of its rivals, but it’s still a fun and capable little SUV to drive.
There’s a little turbo lag when pulling away from a stop, and the CX-5 isn’t as sprightly when accelerating over mountain passes. But you can still easily cruise on the highway or keep up with traffic.
The rear seat is roomy enough for two adults, but it starts to feel cramped after a while. And while the CX-5 is dog-compatible, I wouldn’t call it dog-optimized – a medium-sized kennel would take up most of the rear cargo area.
2024 Mazda CX-5 New Review
Technology
Mazda has built its reputation on delivering engaging and fun-to-drive vehicles, and the CX-5 is no exception. Even the entry-level model feels lively and precise, darting eagerly into corners and gripping confidently through them. If you press it harder, choose the Sport mode, and take it down some back roads, the CX-5 proves itself a more than competent compact SUV.
In our MotorTrend testing, a CX-5 equipped with the 2.5-liter engine managed to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 8.0 seconds, and it returned an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined rating. The 2024 CX-5 is available with a variety of premium features like a power moonroof, Bose premium audio, and heated leather seats.
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 also offers standard driver assist features such as front automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keep assist. It’s no surprise, then, that the CX-5 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TOP SAFETY PICK.
Every CX-5 model comes with a 10.3-inch infotainment display that’s primarily controlled via a rotary controller and volume knob on the center console. It’s a bit of an odd interface compared to the touch-optimized setups offered by competitors, but it’s easy to master and has plenty of shortcut buttons. Every trim level can be ordered with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the automaker’s subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot.
