The automotive world is always looking ahead, with buzz around Mazda’s upcoming third-generation CX-5 for 2026. However, let’s not overlook the present. The 2025 Mazda CX-5 in its second generation continues to be a standout in the compact SUV segment. It has consistently delivered a blend of style, performance, and practicality since 2017, receiving thoughtful updates along the way.
For those wondering if this well-established model is still a smart choice, especially with a new generation on the horizon, the answer is a resounding yes for many buyers. As an automotive expert, I’ve spent time with this vehicle and can confirm it remains a fun and compelling option.
Join me as we explore the Top 10 Reasons to Buy the 2025 Mazda CX-5, highlighting why this compact SUV continues to shine and might be the perfect fit for you!
1. Timeless & Athletic Exterior Design
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 boasts a design that has truly stood the test of time. It avoids fleeting trends, offering a look that remains fresh and appealing.
- Handsome and Athletic: Its exterior is both handsome and athletic, featuring clean lines and tasteful character lines that give it a sophisticated yet dynamic presence.
- Compact Footprint: Despite its SUV stature, it maintains a relatively small footprint. This makes it incredibly easy to maneuver in urban environments and tight parking spaces.
- Standard LED Headlights: All trims come equipped with modern LED headlights, ensuring excellent visibility and a premium front-end appearance.
- Premium Accents: Higher trims, like the 2.5 Turbo Signature, further enhance its appeal with body-colored exterior trim, bright silver accents, and stylish 19-inch silver wheels.
2. Premium Interior Ambiance & Quality Materials
Step inside the 2025 CX-5, and you’ll immediately notice its upscale feel. The cabin genuinely punches above its weight class.
- Solid Fit and Finish: The interior exhibits a solid fit and finish, with components precisely put together, contributing to a sense of quality.
- High-Quality Materials: Mazda uses quality materials throughout, including soft-touch surfaces in key areas. My Signature trim tester, for example, featured rich dark brown colored seats, giving it a luxurious feel that could easily be mistaken for a more expensive, even German, vehicle.
- Refined Touches: Details like wood-style trim on the dash and door panels, along with soft-touch materials near the center stack, enhance comfort and aesthetics.
3. Engaging Driving Dynamics (The ‘Zoom-Zoom’ Factor)
One of the most celebrated aspects of any Mazda is its driving experience, and the CX-5 is no exception. It truly embodies the brand’s “Zoom-Zoom” philosophy.
- Composed Handling: The CX-5 handles exceptionally well, feeling planted and composed when going into corners. It drives smaller than its actual size, making it surprisingly agile.
- Responsive Steering: The steering feels great, offering a nice weight and engaging feedback from the road. This contributes to a more connected and enjoyable driving experience.
- Fun Factor: Unlike many compact SUVs that prioritize utility above all else, the CX-5 manages to be genuinely fun to drive, making everyday commutes more enjoyable.
4. Powerful Optional Turbo Engine
For those who crave more power and spirited acceleration, the 2025 CX-5 offers a compelling turbocharged engine option.
- Strong Performance: The available 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel.
- Enhanced Output: If you fill it with 93 octane, these figures climb to an impressive 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
- Confident Driving: While there might be a slight lag off the line, once the turbo spools up, it provides ample power for confident overtaking and smooth highway merging, making the drive exhilarating.
5. Standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Across All Trims
A significant advantage of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 is that all-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard across every single trim level.
- Enhanced Traction: This provides superior traction and confidence in various driving conditions, including rain, snow, or light off-road situations.
- Added Security: Having AWD as standard offers an extra layer of security and capability, which is often an expensive add-on in competitor vehicles.
- Off-Road Capability: The intelligent AWD system can direct torque to the wheels with the most grip, and with up to 7.9 inches of ground clearance, it’s capable of light off-road excursions.
6. Clever Cargo Versatility with 40/20/40 Split Rear Seats
The CX-5 offers more than just decent cargo space; it provides smart versatility for hauling various items.
- Usable Cargo Volume: It starts with a practical 29 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 59 cubic feet when folded down.
- Unique 40/20/40 Split: A standout feature is the 40/20/40 split rear seats. A small, hidden latch allows you to fold down just the middle 20% section.
- Uncompromised Seating: This means you can haul long items like skis, lumber, or golf clubs without sacrificing a full rear passenger seat, a genuinely useful perk for active lifestyles.
7. Comprehensive Standard Safety Features (i-Activsense)
Mazda prioritizes safety, equipping the 2025 CX-5 with its robust i-Activsense suite of safety features as standard across most trims.
- Advanced Driver Assistance: This comprehensive suite includes essential features like:
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Lane Departure Warning
- Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Peace of Mind: These technologies work together to enhance safety and provide an extra layer of assurance on every journey.
8. User-Friendly Infotainment with Standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
The CX-5’s cabin features a smart and practical layout, with technology designed to be intuitive.
- Standard Large Screen: For 2025, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen now comes standard on all trims.
- Wired Smartphone Integration: It includes wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone connectivity from the base model.
- Driver-Focused Control: While the touchscreen functionality is limited to CarPlay/Android Auto (native system uses a rotary knob), this rotary controller is designed for safer operation while driving.
- Premium Audio: Higher trims offer a 10-speaker Bose audio system for an elevated listening experience.
9. Comfortable & Composed Ride
Despite its engaging handling, the 2025 CX-5 also delivers a comfortable and composed ride quality.
- Balanced Suspension: The suspension is tuned to offer a good balance, effectively soaking up most bumps and road imperfections, which contributes to a refined feel.
- Quiet Cabin: The cabin is notably quiet, minimizing road and wind noise, allowing for a more peaceful driving experience.
- Elevated View: Drivers benefit from a nice elevated view of the road, enhancing visibility and confidence.
10. Strong Value Proposition & Resale Value
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offers excellent value, combining premium features and driving dynamics at a competitive price point.
- Competitive Pricing: With a starting price around $30,265 for the base S trim and topping out around $42,295 for the Turbo Signature, it remains competitively positioned.
- Standard AWD: The inclusion of standard AWD across all trims adds significant value compared to rivals where it’s an extra cost.
- Strong Resale Value: Mazda vehicles generally hold their value well, contributing to lower long-term ownership costs.
Conclusion: A Refined Choice That Still Excels
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 proves that even in its second generation, it remains a highly compelling choice in the compact SUV market. It masterfully blends a timeless, athletic design with a premium-feeling interior, engaging driving dynamics, and practical versatility.
With its powerful optional turbo engine, standard all-wheel drive, smart cargo solutions, and comprehensive safety features, the CX-5 offers a refined and enjoyable ownership experience. While the upcoming third generation promises new advancements, the 2025 model stands strong as a testament to Mazda’s commitment to driving pleasure and quality. If you’re seeking a compact SUV that feels more upscale and drives more engagingly than its price suggests, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 is undoubtedly a top contender.
About the Author: Kelley Blue Book Your Most Trusted Car Guide for EVERYTHING
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