2025 Mazda CX-5

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-5 a Good SUV?

"The CX-5 remains competitive in most respects, but Mazda hasn't really touched it since the CX-50 — another compact SUV — came out. As such, there's a sense of staleness about this SUV, as if Mazda can't decide whether to keep building it next to the more muscular CX-50, which, unlike the CX-5, is now available as a hybrid. In any case, we'd be singing the praises of the CX-5 more loudly if the CX-50 didn't exist, but as things stand, the CX-5 seems to be having an identity crisis that Mazda's not rushing to resolve."—Ranked #9 out of 15 Compact SUVs

Which 2025 Mazda CX-5 Should I Buy?

MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

1. 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 All-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $28,570
• MPG Combined: 28
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 187 
• Torque: 186 lb⁠-⁠ft
• Weight: 3,710 lbs
• Length: 180.1 in
• Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs

The base CX-5 offers competitive output from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but it can feel overmatched when passing or merging at higher speeds. The turbo engine is our pick if you can swing it.

2. 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5T All-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $37,000
• MPG Combined: 24
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Turbocharged
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 256 
• Torque: 320 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 6.2 sec
• Weight: 3,867 lbs
• Length: 180.1 in
• Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs

The turbocharged engine gives the CX-5 a satisfying amount of power — and especially torque. It also pushes the base price toward $40k, though, which is getting into luxury SUV territory.