Most significant changes: Base Sport model gains more standard safety features; reduced road noise across trim levels for 2020
Price change: Base prices up $895 on the Sport; smaller increases for other trims, including $270 on Touring trims and $320 on Grand Touring versions
On sale: Now
Which should you buy, 2019 or 2020? 2020, especially if you’re shopping for a Sport model, which now comes standard with important active safety features.
Mazda’s SUV lineup has grown recently with the smaller CX-30 adding to the list of vehicles that slot below the CX-5, Mazda’s compact SUV. For 2019, the CX-5 got a new engine option and two fancier trim levels. For 2020, the compact SUV sees some minor changes like more standard safety features for the base model.
Related: Mazda CX-5: Which Should You Buy, 2019 or 2020?
Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims return for 2020. Sport, Touring and Grand Touring models are again available in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations, but the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims, which joined the lineup for 2019, are all-wheel drive only.
Available as an option for 2019, the base Sport trim now gets the same standard safety equipment as the rest of the lineup with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite. It bundles automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning with steering assist.
Other new features for 2020 include standard paddle shifters for Grand Touring trims, and the Grand Touring Reserve upgrades to an 8-inch touchscreen from the prior 7-inch unit. Also, Mazda said engineers have improved the noise, vibration and harshness of the SUV to further reduce road noise.
Prices are up only slightly across most of the lineup, with the base Sport model seeing the biggest jump due to the added standard safety suite. Sport models now start $895 higher than 2019 versions; other trims see smaller increases, like $270 on Touring trims and $320 on Grand Touring versions. Compare pricing between the model years.
The CX-5 finished in the top half of Cars.com’s 2017 Compact SUV Challenge and stood out for its agile handling and top-notch interior. Much of that carries over to the subsequent model years, and additional standard safety features for 2020 only broaden its appeal.
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