2025 Mazda CX-5 Review: Still a Top Contender in the Compact SUV Segment?

The automotive world is buzzing with news of Mazda’s upcoming third-generation CX-5, expected for the 2026 model year. While details on that revolutionary new model are still scarce, we have a fantastic vehicle to explore today: the 2025 Mazda CX-5 in its well-established second generation. This SUV has been a favorite since 2017, receiving tasteful updates over the years, and it remains a truly enjoyable vehicle to drive.

For those contemplating the new third-generation, rest assured, we know it’s coming. We know it will share design cues with the CX-70 and CX-90, grow in size, feature a new interior, and boast a larger infotainment screen. Crucially, it will remain a two-row, 5-seater SUV, just like the current generation we’re focusing on today.

So, is the 2025 Mazda CX-5 still a compelling choice amidst newer rivals and the anticipation of its successor? Let’s dive into a detailed review to find out!

1. Exterior Design: Timeless Appeal with Athletic Flair

The 2025 Mazda CX-5, even in its second generation, continues to impress with its handsome and athletic exterior. It boasts a timeless design that has aged gracefully, featuring nice character lines and decent-looking wheels.

• Compact Footprint: Its relatively small footprint makes it incredibly easy to maneuver, especially in tight city spaces and parking lots.
• Standard LED Headlights: All trims come standard with modern LED headlights, ensuring excellent visibility and a contemporary look.
• Signature Grade Accents: My tester, the top 2.5 Turbo Signature grade, elevates the aesthetics further. It features color-matched exterior trim, bright silver accents, stylish silver 19-inch wheels, and a distinctive Signature badge.

However, there’s one minor design detail that might irk some: the keyless entry system uses a physical button on the door handles, rather than a more modern capacitive touch. While subjective, a touch-sensitive system would feel more premium.

2. Interior Comfort & Space: Premium Feel, Compact Reality

Stepping inside the CX-5 immediately reveals its upscale aspirations. There’s a solid fit and finish throughout, with quality materials that give the cabin a much more expensive, almost German, feel. My Signature trim tester, for instance, features rich dark brown colored seats.

Front Cabin: Driver-Focused Luxury with a Caveat

The front seats look appealing and provide good lateral support. They offer practical functionality, including memory seat controls, and are both heated and ventilated on this top trim. I found ample headroom, and the steering wheel column is highly adjustable (tilt and telescoping), allowing for a comfortable driving position. The steering wheel itself looks and feels nice, and both inboard and outboard armrests are soft.

However, the CX-5’s compact exterior footprint becomes apparent here. The seats are a little firm, and there are no thigh extensions for taller individuals. As someone who is 6’4″, I found legroom to be tight, with the seat unable to go back any further on its tracks. This is where the anticipated third generation, being longer, will hopefully offer more cabin space, especially for taller drivers.

Second Row: Average Space, Thoughtful Touches

In the second row, you won’t find available sun shades or dedicated HVAC controls (though rear seat vents are present on all but the base model, which should really be standard). Passenger space is, in a word, average. For taller passengers seated behind a tall front occupant, space is severely limited. My knees touched the seatback, though thankfully, the seatbacks are soft. My feet could fit under the front seat.

For the middle seat passenger, there’s a central hump to contend with, and they’ll sit slightly elevated. However, if the middle seat is empty, it folds down to reveal a couple of cupholders and provides access to heated outboard seats (on this top trim) and a couple of USB-A charge ports. The seatbacks do recline slightly, offering a bit more comfort.

Cargo Space & Versatility: Usable and Clever

Behind the rear seats, the CX-5 offers a usable 29 cubic feet of cargo space. This is complemented by a spare tire located under the cargo floor, shallow side pockets for smaller items, and a 12V outlet. Conveniently placed latches in the cargo area allow you to easily fold down the rear seats, expanding the space to 59 cubic feet.

The CX-5 truly stands out in cargo flexibility with a hidden gem: a small latch that folds down the 20% portion of the 40/20/40 split rear seats. This means you don’t have to sacrifice a full seat if you’re hauling long items like lumber, skis, or golf clubs, a genuinely useful perk.

3. Technology & Infotainment: Driver-Focused, with a Learning Curve

The cabin of this CX-5 features a smart and practical layout, with technology designed to enhance the driving experience.

Standard Infotainment & Displays

For 2025, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen now comes standard across all trims. It includes wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Dual USB-C charge ports are also standard. My top trim tester adds a 7-inch digital driver display, a head-up display, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless smartphone integration.

Unique Control Method

The interior feels very upmarket, with wood-style trim on the dash and door panels, and soft-touch materials near the center stack for leg comfort. While you get analog gauges, the speedometer is digital, allowing you to switch between menu items.

However, the infotainment screen has a unique quirk: it’s only a touchscreen when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If you’re using the native Mazda system, it’s controlled solely by a rotary knob on the center console. While this design aims to reduce distraction while driving, it can take some getting used to. Thankfully, the volume knob is conveniently placed next to it.

Physical Controls & Amenities

The gear selector is surrounded by gloss black trim, which, as expected, quickly accumulates fingerprints and dust. Drive mode selectors are nearby. Importantly, the HVAC controls are physical knobs and switches, not embedded in the touchscreen, which is a welcome ergonomic choice. Up top, you get a sunglasses compartment, some decent storage (though a bit tight), and USB-C charge ports. It features a regular sunroof for front passengers, not a panoramic one.

4. Performance & Powertrain: Spirited Zoom-Zoom

The second-generation CX-5 offers two engine options, both paired with a traditional automatic transmission and standard AWD.

Engine Options

• Naturally Aspirated 2.5L: This base engine produces 187 horsepower and up to 186 lb-ft of torque.
• Turbocharged 2.5L: My tester features the more powerful turbocharged option. It makes 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel. If you fill it with 93 octane, these numbers climb to a respectable 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission & Drivetrain

In a world of CVTs and 8- or 10-speed transmissions, Mazda opts for a conventional 6-speed automatic gearbox for both engine options. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard across all CX-5 trims. While the turbo engine can be a little laggy off the line, once it spools up, it provides plenty of power for overtaking and highway merging, making it genuinely fun. The brakes, though a bit squishy, perform just fine.

Fuel Efficiency & Towing

This generation of the CX-5 does not offer a hybrid powertrain. For fuel efficiency:

• Naturally Aspirated: 26 MPG city / 30 MPG highway.
• Turbocharged: 22 MPG city / 27 MPG highway. All CX-5 models can tow up to 2,000 lbs.

5. Ride & Handling: Engaging and Planted

One of the best aspects of the CX-5 is its driving characteristics.

• Composed Handling: The suspension can be a bit firm for some, but it contributes to excellent handling. The CX-5 corners very composedly and feels planted on the road. It drives smaller than its actual size.
• Responsive Steering: The steering feels great, with a nice weight to it, making it engaging. This, combined with a pleasant engine note, makes compact SUV driving surprisingly fun.
• Standard AWD: The standard all-wheel drive system provides extra traction in challenging situations.
• Drive Modes: Higher trims offer drive modes like Sport and Off-Road, along with paddle shifters for manual gear selection, enhancing engagement.
• Off-Road Capability: With up to 7.9 inches of ground clearance, the intelligent AWD system can direct torque to the wheels with the most grip, allowing for light off-road excursions.

However, for taller drivers like myself (6’4″), longer commutes in the CX-5 can be uncomfortable due to the cramped feeling. After about an hour, a break is often needed. Despite this, you get a nice elevated view of the road, a clear head-up display, good all-around visibility, and a quiet cabin.

6. Safety Features: Comprehensive i-Activsense Suite

The second-generation CX-5 prioritizes safety with Mazda’s comprehensive i-Activsense suite of safety features. This suite is typically standard across most trims, providing excellent peace of mind.

Key features include:

• Blind Spot Monitor
• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control

7. Pricing & Competition: Value in a Crowded Market

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 remains competitively priced within the compact SUV market, offering strong value for its premium feel and standard features.

• Base Model: A base 2025 Mazda CX-5 S trim with the naturally aspirated 2.5L engine starts at $30,265.
• Highest Naturally Aspirated Trim: Can top out at just under $37,000.
• Turbo Engine Models: The CX-5 with the turbo engine starts at $38,695. My well-appointed top 2.5 Turbo Signature model starts at $42,295.

The compact SUV market is indeed flooded with competition. Besides waiting for the third-generation CX-5, you can consider rivals like the Subaru Forester, Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V (which now has a TrailSport model), and the new VW Tiguan.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy 2025 Mazda CX-5 SUV

Top 5 Reasons to AVOID 2025 Mazda CX-5

Conclusion: Still a Strong Contender? Absolutely!

While the automotive world looks forward to the third-generation CX-5, the second-generation 2025 Mazda CX-5 still holds up remarkably well. It boasts a timeless design, a peppy turbocharged engine option, fun driving dynamics, and a premium-looking interior packed with technology.

Yes, it could use a bit more space, especially for taller drivers, and native touchscreen capability would be a welcome addition. However, if you’re not exceptionally tall and can comfortably fit, the 2025 CX-5 offers a compelling package. It provides a refined, engaging, and practical driving experience that continues to make it a strong contender in its segment. It’s a testament to Mazda’s commitment to driving pleasure and premium quality, even in a compact SUV.

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