The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is a mature model that continues to impress nearly a decade after its debut. It’s one of the few compact SUVs to deliver engaging driving dynamics thanks to steering heft and a firm suspension that feel composed, precise, and agile.
Consumers agree, rating the CX-5 five out of five stars. The base 2.5 S trim is affordable and includes a 10.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and crash-avoidance tech.
Exterior
Mazda’s 2024 CX-5 is a bit of an elder statesman in the compact SUV market, having been introduced for 2017. But while it looks like a model from a different generation, this design still has the right proportions and premium styling.
With a broad shield-style grille, birdlike headlights, and a tall greenhouse, it’s striking but not gaudy. Plus, its capable dynamics and classy cabin make it stand out among rivals.
A wide range of advanced safety features is available. Standard i-Activsense technology helps drivers maintain a safe distance from cars in front of them and can automatically apply the brakes if it senses an imminent crash.
The top Signature trim is decked out with luxury materials inside, including caucasian nappa leather and real wood. It also adds a built-in navigation system with off-road functionality and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with LED lighting.
Interior
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offers a premium interior that prioritizes comfort, entertainment, and convenience. With one-way commutes averaging 27 minutes as of 2019, drivers spend a lot of time in their cars — so they deserve an experience that feels good and is designed with their daily needs in mind.
Whether you’re hustling in traffic or cruising down the highway, the standard 187-hp Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine gives you smooth acceleration with every shift of the transmission. If you want even more oomph for spirited driving, an available turbo engine adds the extra kick you crave.
With i-Activ AWD standard across the CX-5 lineup, the SUV delivers refined performance that can adapt to the conditions and terrain you encounter. You’ll also feel confident in any situation thanks to the suite of driver-assistance features included with i-Activsense.
The 2025 CX-5 offers a range of interior features that will elevate your drive, including dual front USB-C ports for seamless connectivity to your modern devices and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster display that displays a variety of vehicle information. Other interior features include a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a seven-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, satellite radio, two rear USB ports, proximity keyless entry, a universal garage door opener, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and ambient interior lighting.
Performance
Mazda’s bestselling SUV is the most fun to drive among compact SUVs. It has a classy cabin, good front seats and an available turbocharged engine that propels it faster than most rivals from a stop. It’s priced less to start than many competitors and is available with features that luxury brands charge for.
With the base engine, the CX-5 feels snappy when pulling away from a dead stop but requires planning for highway overtaking. A stronger, 256-horsepower turbocharged engine is available. This gives the CX-5 one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its class, making it the quickest small SUV to get to 60 mph. It also delivers impressive acceleration for a SUV, getting to 100 mph in 8.7 seconds.
A top-of-the-line Signature trim adds leather upholstery, a full-color windshield-projected Active Driving Display, a seven-inch multi-information meter display and SiriusXM satellite radio with three-month trial subscription. It’s also equipped with a full suite of safety and driver assistance features that includes Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support, Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and lane keep assist.
Technology
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is one of the most fun to drive compact SUVs on the market, with nimble handling and precise steering that make for an entertaining Sunday cruise. This year, the CX-5 makes modest tech upgrades and reintroduces its most affordable trim level. A pair of front USB-C ports join the infotainment setup, while Premium Plus models add a surround-view camera system and parking sensors. An active safety package adds automatic high beam control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane-keeping assistance to the mix.
A turbocharged engine infuses the 2025 CX-5 with a bit of drama, getting it to 60 mph in less than six seconds and making it one of the quickest SUVs in its class. Meanwhile, an available i-Activ AWD system uses different driving modes to optimize responsiveness for whichever road you’re on. Combined with the turbo engine’s 256 hp, it gives the Mazda CX-5 some of the best acceleration in its class while still offering better fuel economy figures than most rivals. Good crash-test ratings and a decent warranty also give the CX-5 some appeal among consumers.
Safety
No matter how skilled a driver is, no one can fully replace their own eyes and ears when it comes to keeping themselves and others safe on the road. That’s why Mazda equipped this SUV with a variety of features designed to keep drivers more aware of their surroundings.
For example, Blind Spot Monitoring uses a camera to monitor your vehicle’s blind spots and warn you of any approaching cars or objects as you change lanes. The 2025 CX-5 also includes Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to help you back out of parking spaces safely and Adaptive Cruise Control that maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
Additionally, the CX-5’s robust body structure is designed to absorb and disperse crash energy in a way that minimizes impact severity for the people inside. Its high-tech safety suite is even backed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which awarded it a Top Safety Pick and 5-Star overall rating.
If you’d like to learn more about the innovative safety technologies found in this SUV, be sure to visit us at Revolution Mazda in Grand Prairie. We’d love to give you a hands-on demonstration of all the key features and help you find the trim level that best fits your needs and budget.