What kind of car is the 2021 Mazda CX-5? What does it compare to?
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is a five-seat compact crossover SUV that puts ride and handling at the top of its priority list. Its competition includes the Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan, and Volvo XC40.
Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a good car?
Review continues below
We like its road manners, its shapely body, and its leather-lined luxury in top models. It’s trying hard to be sporty, though, and that intrudes sometimes on its crossover duties; its infotainment system needs a reboot, too. We give it a TCC Rating of 6.7 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2021 Mazda CX-5?
A new Carbon Edition gets gloss-black trim and 19-inch wheels, as well as red leather seats and a turbo-4 engine option. All CX-5s now come with a 10.3-inch infotainment display.
The 2021 CX-5 wraps pretty lines around a compact interior, and from the outside we can’t come up with a single complaint. The grille and headlights are slim, the body sculpted to Pilates perfection. Inside, it’s handsomely arranged on horizontal lines with a few standout details, like its geometric air vents, doing a lot of visual work.
The CX-5 doesn’t fumble with clumsy steering feel or bumbly ride quality like some of its rivals. It feels weighty but precise, taut and well-controlled, all at once. It’s also saddled with a 187-horsepower base engine that puts out government-grade acceleration through a 6-speed automatic, through the front wheels or, if we’re getting fancy, all four wheels. Spend up into the 227-hp turbo-4 and the CX-5 scoots around more quickly, with a bit of turbo lag and a fair amount of powertrain rumble.
The CX-5’s slim hips betray a slim interior. It’s somewhat narrow, and though its front seats have lots of bolstering for great long-distance support, the back seat trims back on head room and seat comfort. Three adults across will just be cross. Cargo space is fine, but for the same price, a Honda CR-V delivers much more interior room; Mazda’s high-spec CX-5 cabins with nappa leather and wood trim trounce most rivals, though.
Crash scores are top-notch, and every CX-5 has a full ration of standard safety gear including automatic emergency braking. All come with power features, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a 10.3-inch infotainment screen that’s not wired to respond to touch. Mazda’s control-knob interface takes a lousy number of spins and clicks to land where you want; it’s like the Vegas version of “Wheel of Fortune.”
How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 cost?
Prices start at $ 26,470 for our recommended model, the CX-5 Sport.
Where is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 made?
In Japan.
