In the highly competitive market for compact crossover SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 is a preferred choice for driving enthusiasts and an economical choice with more premium features than you will see from other brands at the same price point.
All CX-5 trims seat five passengers in two rows, with 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
Mazda offered the CX-5 with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine rated at 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, or a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine rated up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque when using premium gasoline. Both engines pair with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Less-expensive trims offer standard front-wheel drive (FWD), with Mazda’s i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive (AWD) system as an extra-cost option. Higher trim levels include AWD as standard equipment.
The naturally aspirated engine returns up to 25 mpg in city driving and up to 31 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged version achieves up to 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. AWD models reduce those estimates by 1 mpg across the board.
Another thing to know about the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is this model has earned Top Safety Pick+, the highest available rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2021 CX-5 also earned a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A fully transferrable 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty covers Mazda Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, plus a 7-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, with a guarantee that Mazda will cover warranty repairs at Mazda dealers with no deductible or out-of-pocket expenses.
Changes from 2020 model year
The Mazda CX-5 had its last significant redesign for the 2017 model year, so its changes from year to year are reasonably light. Most notably, the 2021 model year introduced the Carbon Edition trim level, featuring the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine 19-inch wheels and a sport-luxury interior. Also, all trims received a 10.25-inch infotainment display screen for the 2021 model year.
The 2021 CX-5 comes in six trim levels, ranging from the base CX-5 Sport to the luxurious CX-5 Signature. You can read about each trim level in detail below.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport (Original starting price when new: $25,270)
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The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport started at $25,270.
The Mazda CX-5 Sport is one of the best-equipped compact crossover SUVs on the market, with a family-friendly safety package, including the i-Activsense safety suite. This package includes adaptive radar cruise control with stop-and-go function, advanced smart automatic brake support with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
Inside, you’ll find cool cloth upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Advanced features include remote keyless entry with push-button engine starting, a rearview camera system, automatic high beam control, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio support, two front USB ports, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and automatic LED headlights.
The CX-5 Sport also offers premium 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels and a rear roof spoiler for a great-looking base model.
The i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive option cost $1,400 when the 2021 CX-5 was new, so many base trim models came with it. Mazda’s AWD system is among the most advanced of any brand and uses various sensor data to predict and prepare for slippery conditions. Outside temperature and windshield wiper status combine with real-time traction control information to allow the CX-5 to automatically activate the AWD system before wheel slip occurs. Mazda also uses G-Vectoring Control to shift weight onto the front wheels when cornering, to give the CX-5 better handling than its competition.
Finally, Mazda upgraded all CX-5 trims with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen mounted high up on the dash. Unlike most brands, Mazda’s system is not a touchscreen but uses a convenient dial on the console. The reason for this is to help the driver’s eyes on the road.
Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal paint color option gives a candy-apple gloss to the exterior that is impossible to resist. This paint was a $595 option when the CX-5 was new.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport is for buyers looking for the Mazda premium driving experience at the lowest possible price.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport includes:
2.5-liter engine — The base engine provides good performance and fuel economy in every CX-5.
10.25-inch screen — The large high-mounted infotainment system is easy to use and easy to see.
i-Activsense safety — Mazda provides advanced safety features on the base trim that you won’t find from other brands.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring (Original starting price when new: $27,010)
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The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring started at $27,010.
In addition to the features included in the base CX-5 Sport, the CX-5 Touring trim level adds heated front seats, perhaps the most popular option on the market. Touring seats get leatherette with Lux Suede inserts. Dual-zone climate control allows each front-seat occupant to select their preferred temperature. Two more USB ports and privacy glass service rear-seat passengers.
The optional Touring Preferred SV package provides a Bose 10-speaker audio system, genuine leather seats, power liftgate, power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink garage door opener, 6-way power passenger seat, and 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory positioning. That package sold for $1,445, so it was a trendy addition to this trim level.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring is for buyers who want the most popular optional features while remaining on a budget.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring includes:
Heated front seats — The most popular option on the market is included in this trim.
Dual-zone climate control — Allows the driver and front-seat passenger to select comfortable temperatures.
Optional Touring Preferred SV package — This low-cost option package provides real luxury upgrades to the Touring trim.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition (Original starting price when new: $28,855)
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The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition started at $28,855.
The CX-5 Carbon Edition starts with the Touring trim plus the Preferred SV package, and adds trim-exclusive Polymetal Gray exterior color, 19-inch sport alloy wheels, and gloss mirror caps. The Carbon Edition wears red leather upholstery with black honeycomb trim throughout.
The base price for this trim includes the 187-hp naturally aspirated engine and front-wheel drive. The Carbon Edition is also available with the turbocharged 250-hp engine and front-wheel drive, and that specification sold for $30,660 when new. Buyers could upgrade either engine choice to AWD for an additional $1,400.
Who is this trim level for?
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition is for buyers who want a sporty look, with options to bring performance up to the highest level.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition includes:
Red leather upholstery — Real leather in a sporty red tone.
Polymetal Gray paint — Color unique to this trim level.
19-inch wheels — The wheel design is unique to this trim level.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring (Original starting price when new: $30,460)
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The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring started at $30,460.
The CX-5 Grand Touring builds on the base Touring trim without the Preferred SV package. However, many elements from the Preferred SV package are included, such as the 10-speaker Bose audio system with Sirius/XM satellite radio, leather seats, power moonroof, and a power liftgate. Grand Touring trim also adds paddle shifters on the steering wheel and a 7-inch screen display in place of gauges.
Exterior features at this trim level include LED taillights, fog lights, daytime running lights, heated side-view mirrors, and 19-inch brilliant silver alloy wheels. The Grand Touring trim had only the naturally aspirated engine, but all-wheel drive was optional.
Exclusive to this trim level was a GT Premium option package. With an original price of $1,625, this package included a head-up display, power-folding side mirrors, heated rear seats and steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring is for buyers looking for a mid-grade luxury trim with many visible upgrades.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring includes:
Bose audio system — Mazda’s Bose audio is standard at this trim level.
Paddle-shifters — Used by drivers who want to control the automatic transmission.
Optional GT Premium package — Includes head-up display, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve (Original starting price when new: $35,285)
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The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve started at $35,285.
Building on the Grand Touring trim, the CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve primarily adds the 250-hp turbocharged engine and i-Activ all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment.
The head-up display is also included, along with luxury features such as ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, automatic folding door mirrors, and the windshield wiper de-icer.
If Mazda installed the optional onboard GPS navigation system, this trim level supports traffic sign recognition.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve is for buyers who want the turbocharged engine and AWD system along with excellent luxury features.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve includes:
Turbocharged engine — Up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque when run on premium gas.
i-ACTIV AWD — Mazda’s predictive AWD system is among the best in the business for winter traction.
Head-up display — Projects essential driving and navigation information onto the windshield.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature (Original starting price when new: $37,405)
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The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature stared at $37,405.
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature trim represents this model’s top-of-the-line. With this trim level, buyers receive more tech, including reverse automatic braking and an automatic driver attention alert. The backup camera system is a 360-degree surround view. Signature trim includes GPS navigation with traffic sign recognition.
The turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive are standard on this trim, and these models ride on 19-inch dark silver aluminum alloy wheels.
Inside, you’ll find brown Nappa leather seats, genuine layered wood trimming, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and ambient LED interior lighting.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature is for buyers who want all the performance and features of a top-tier European brand SUV at a much lower price.
2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature includes:
Reverse automatic braking — Identifies obstacles to the rear and stops the CX-5 before impact.
360-degree camera system — Shows the driver what’s on all sides of the vehicle while reversing.
Luxury interior — Soft Nappa leather seats and real wood trim create a proper luxury environment.
