2023 Mazda CX-5
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.9 - 8.2 / 100km |
|---|---|
| ANCAP Rating | 5-star |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.9 - 8.2 / 100km |
|---|---|
| ANCAP Rating | 5-star |
| Warranty | 5 years |
About the Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a mid-sized SUV stalwart. It's consistently a top seller in its segment, and goes head-to-head with strong competition such as the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage.
Four engines are offered, along with a choice between front- and all-wheel drive.
Summary
Fun to drive
Comfortable ride
Attractive, well-made interior
Some rivals have more space
Rivals have more technology
Infotainment options are compromised
Video Review
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2022 Mazda CX-5 turbo (inc. 0-100) review
This is one of the few SUVs that don't have a massive waiting list. Is it worth delving into the Mazda CX-5 world if you need a medium-sized SUV? Paul Maric checks out the 2022 Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.5T to see if it's any good after its mild refresh.
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Mazda CX-5 Range Guide
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 Maxx comes standard with the following standard features:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Body-coloured side mirrors with power folding
- 7.0-inch TFT CLD digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch infotainment system (Mazda Connect)
- DAB+ digital radio
- Internet radio
- Wired Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto*
- Six-speaker sound system
- Head-up display
- Two front USB-C ports
- Push-button start
- Air-conditioning
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped gear shifter
- Electric parking brake with auto-hold
- Keyless window open function
- Black cloth upholstery
- Rear seat reclining function
The Maxx Sport adds:
- LED tail lights
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto*
- Satellite navigation
- Traffic sign recognition
- Dual-zone climate control
- Rear air vents
- Paddle shifters
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Rear centre armrest
- Two rear USB-A ports
The Touring adds:
- Auto-folding heated side mirrors
- Front parking sensors
- Wireless phone charger
- Keyless entry
- Black Maztek/Black Grand Luxe synthetic suede upholstery
In addition to unique green accents and grey wheels, the Touring Active receive gloss black exterior mirrors. It’s also optionally available with the 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel.
The GT SP adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED daytime running lights
- Adaptive Front-Lighting System
- Single-pane sunroof
- Hands-free power tailgate
- 10-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Cruising and Traffic Support
- Black leather upholstery with red stitching
- Heated front seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory
- Six-way power passenger seat
The flagship Akera adds:
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Surround-view camera
- Heated steering wheel
- Interior ambient lighting
- Real wood trim
- Dark Russet Nappa leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated outboard rear seats
A ‘*’ indicates this feature won’t be available for vehicles built for vehicles built between November 2022 and March 2023 and will need to be activated through a software update
Price & Specs
Interior
An update to the CX-5 at the start of 2022 brought about new interior options designed to better differentiate the models throughout the range. The cabin technology, however, remains the same.
The CX-5’s interior is refreshingly simple in layout and finished with attractive, tactile materials.
There are lovely knurled dials, elegant stitching details on the dash, doors and console, and soft-touch plastics on the top half of the dash and doors.
It’s almost European in execution, especially the rotary dial for the infotainment system – shades of BMW – and the smaller dial next to it for volume, reminiscent of an Audi. Subtle metal-look highlights, including around the air vents, shifter, and switchgear, help to break up the black-on-black trim.
The sides of the centre console are finished in padded leatherette, which is a thoughtful touch. Red stitching details can also be found here. If you want a breezier interior, the GT offers white upholstery.
The new 10.25-inch Mazda Connect system is a big improvement over the 8.0-inch MZD Connect system found in lesser CX-5 models. The only downside is the lack of touchscreen functionality which means using smartphone mirroring can be a bit clunky, for example if you’re using Google Maps.
The seats are comfortable, though they could stand to be a touch wider. While the CX-5 isn’t quite as commodious as a Toyota RAV4 in the back, there’s still ample headroom and legroom. The front seatbacks are soft, and there are map pockets and air vents for rear passengers.
Those rear seats split and fold 40:20:40, which is handy when carrying long items but multiple passengers. If you’re carrying babies instead of bean poles, there are three top-tether anchor points for child seats plus ISOFIX anchor points for the two outboard seats.
Like the back seat, the boot is a touch smaller than some rivals. Cargo space measures 442L up to the cargo cover, expanding to 1342L (measured to the roof) with the second row folded flat.
Exterior
Base models ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, and feature automatic LED headlights. Moving through the range brings bigger wheels, and the option of models such as the Touring with its body-colour mirrors, or the Touring Active and its more off-road focused look.
The GT SP is designed to look sporty with 19-inch black alloy wheels, while the range-topping Akera features a more luxurious design.
Mazda CX-5 Colours
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is available in the following exterior paint colours:
- Soul Red Crystal metallic
- Eternal Blue mica
- Deep Crystal Blue mica
- Jet Black mica
- Rhodium White metallic
- Sonic Silver metallic
- Zircon Sand metallic
- Machine Grey metallic
- Polymetal Grey metallic
Cost of Ownership
Mazda backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assist.
Service intervals and prices for the updated CX-5 haven’t been revealed, but they’re unlikely to have changed from those of the pre-update model which required maintenance every 12 months or 10,000km.
Five years of capped-price servicing in the pre-update model cost a combined $1805.
How it Drives
The CX-5 remains arguably one of the dynamic benchmark in the mid-sized SUV segment, and it shines brightest with the turbo-petrol engine.
This mid-sized SUV fun to drive on a twisty road, something that can’t be said for a vast number of its rivals. Steering is precise, well-weighted and communicative, and there's plenty of grip.
The six-speed automatic might be down a gear or two on some rivals but it shifts smoothly and quickly, even in spirited driving. There’s really little point in flicking it to Sport mode or using the paddle shifters.
Ah, but how does it fare in your daily commute? Quite well. The ride is a touch firm but it’s never uncomfortable, and bumps are dispatched with a well-damped poise even riding on the bigger wheel options.
Out on a country road, the LED headlights provide excellent illumination and the Adaptive Front Lighting System is a splendid companion on a winding mountain road.
The automatic stop/start system isn’t as intrusive as Volkswagen’s, and you have to depress the brake pedal quite firmly to activate it. Likewise, the lane-keep assist isn’t constantly making its presence felt, though that also means its overall performance is average.
You can switch it off via a button on the dash, though it defaults to on.
Mazda CX-5 Safety Rating
All versions of the Mazda CX-5 wear a five-star ANCAP safety ratingbased on testing carried out in 2017.
The CX-5 scored 95 per cent for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for child occupant protection, 78 per cent for pedestrian protection, and 59 per cent for safety assist.
Dual frontal, side chest and side head (curtain) airbags are standard across the range, as are:
- Autonomous emergency braking (Forward/Reverse) with pedestrian detection (Forward)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Driver attention alert
- Auto high-beam
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go (stop/go auto only)
- Rear parking sensors
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Mazda CX-5 Lifecycle
The current generation Mazda CX-5 was launched in March 2017 and is currently 95 percent through its lifecycle. The last update was a technology change that was launched in August 2023 with the next model expected in 2024.
Mazda CX-5 Options
The CX-5 range doesn't have a long options list, what you see on each model is what you get.
Mazda CX-5 Warranty
Mazda backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assist.
Service intervals for 2023 CX-5 models with petrol engines have been increased to 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
Service intervals for CX-5 models with the 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel remain at 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.
Five years of capped-price servicing in the pre-update model cost a combined $1805.
Mazda CX-5 Stock Availability
Stock availability for the Mazda CX-5 is better than average with wait times less than 3-6 months depending on variant
Mazda CX-5 Boot Space
Boot space is a claimed 438 litres with the rear seats in place, and 1340L with the 40/20/20 folding rear bench sitting flat.
Mazda CX-5 Fuel Economy
Combined fuel economy in the CX-5 with a 2.0-litre petrol engine is 6.9 litres per 100km. Moving to the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol ups that figure to 7.4 litres per 100km with all-wheel drive.
Opting for the turbo petrol ups fuel use to 8.2L/100km, while the diesel uses as little as 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
All versions are fitted with idle stop/start technology, and all petrol versions are designed to run on 91 RON regular unleaded.
Depending on the variant, view the 2023 MAZDA CX-5 fuel usage below.
All Highway, City, and Combined figures below are litres per 100km
| Variant | Series | Style | Fuel Type | Highway | City | Combined | E10? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G20 MAXX (FWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 6.9 | - |
| G25 MAXX SPORT (FWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 7.5 | - |
| G25 MAXX SPORT (AWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 7.5 | - |
| G25 TOURING (AWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 7.5 | - |
| G25 GT SP (AWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 7.5 | - |
| G25 AKERA (AWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 7.5 | - |
| G35 GT SP TURBO (AWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 8.2 | - |
| G35 AKERA TURBO (AWD) | CX5N | 4D WAGON | UNLEADED PETROL | - | - | 8.2 | - |
Mazda CX-5 Dimensions
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 measures 4575mm long, 1845mm wide and 1675mm tall, with a 2700mm wheelbase.
The 2023 MAZDA CX-5 measures 4550mm long, 1840mm wide and 1675mm tall, with a 2700mm tall wheelbase.
The 2023 MAZDA CX-5 has a braked towing capacity of 1800kg and an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg.
Mazda CX-5 Market Fit
The CX-5 fits into one of Australia's most popular new car segments, going head-to-head with mid-sized SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail.
Mazda CX-5 Sales Data
Mazda sold 24,968 examples of the CX-5 in 2021, putting it behind just the Toyota RAV4 (35,751) in the mid-sized SUV class.
The CX-5 outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander (14,572), Hyundai Tucson (14,194), and Nissan X-Trail (13,860).
Owner Reviews
Should you buy the Mazda CX-5
We’ve all heard it before. A person wants something a little sporty to drive, but their partner wants a practical SUV. Or perhaps they’re a couple on the same page about needing an SUV but both want something with a little more poke.
Unfortunately, many vehicles in this segment are merely poky. That’s where the Mazda CX-5 stands tall, with one of the most powerful engines in the mainstream mid-sized SUV segment, and sharp handling.
While the interior isn’t the roomiest in the segment, it’s a comfortable place to sit and has a high-quality look and feel.
Competitor Analysis
The CX-5 is one of the more style-oriented mid-sized SUVs on the market. It's fun to drive, and still offers enough space for the average family inside, but it's a bit tighter in the rear than a RAV4 or Subaru Forester.
The RAV4 is unique in offering a hybrid option, although it can't match the luxurious feel of the CX-5 at the top end of the range.
New to the class are the 2022 Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, which can't match the Mazda when it comes to driving fun but counter with spacious cabins and thoroughly modern infotainment screens.
Mazda CX-5 Interesting Facts
Before it set about developing the CX-5, Mazda sold a version of the Ford Escape called the Mazda Tribute. It also offered a mid-sized SUV called the CX-7 until 2012.