What Is the 2024 Mazda CX-5?
The Mazda CX-5 is a five-seat compact SUV that stands out thanks to its lively driving dynamics, standard all-wheel drive, smooth six-speed automatic transmission and first-class cabin design. The base engine is a 187-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, with a 227-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder available. The turbo engine’s output increases to 256 hp when running on 93-octane premium fuel instead of regular gas.
There’s no shortage of competition in the compact SUV segment, and rivals include the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4.
If cargo capacity is a prime concern when you’re cross-shopping SUVs, know that the CX-5 is on the small end of its class, with just 17.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind its backseat, according to Cars.com’s cargo measurements. If little ones are coming along for the ride, check how it fared in our Car Seat Check here.
What’s New on the 2024 Mazda CX-5?
A Carbon Turbo trim joins the line as a slightly more affordable way to get a CX-5 with the turbocharged engine. It comes with terra-cotta-colored, leather-trimmed seats, black exterior trim elements and a choice of two exterior colors: Rhodium White or trim-exclusive Zircon Sand Metallic. Base-engine variants add an automatic engine stop-start feature to save fuel at traffic lights, which increases their EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating by 2 mpg.
What Features in the 2024 Mazda CX-5 Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- 17-inch aluminum wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- Push-button start
- Cloth upholstery
- 10.25-inch multimedia screen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure steering assist
- Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability
Available features include:
- 19-inch wheels
- Adaptive headlights
- Power liftgate
- Power moonroof
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Bose premium stereo
- Satellite radio
- Navigation
- Wireless device charging
- Head-up display
- 360-degree camera system
- Rear automatic braking
Should I Buy the 2024 Mazda CX-5?
The Mazda CX-5 is a delight to drive, with a cabin that wouldn’t look out of place in a compact SUV with a luxury badge on its grille. Granted, the infotainment system is controlled via a rotary knob on the center console; a touchscreen interface would be more intuitive. Space in the second row might also prove tight for taller adults during lengthy road trips, and the cargo area is among the smallest in the mainstream compact SUV segment. Still, the CX-5’s refinement and agility make it a practical SUV that puts a smile on your face when zipping through traffic or down twisty back roads. Note that Mazda sells a similar CX-50 compact SUV, which is 6 inches longer and a bit lower and wider than the CX-5. It has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds versus the CX-5’s 2,000 pounds.
