more about this model
Pros Stylish design; very good fuel economy; agile driving dynamics.
Cons No V6 option.
The CX-5 isn't the first compact SUV from Mazda, but it might as well be. Previous attempts at making inroads in the crossover market have included the Mazda Tribute (a clone of a Ford Escape) and Mazda CX-7, but neither stirred much consumer interest. With the handsomely designed and generously equipped 2013 Mazda CX-5, the people at Mazda finally get the crossover combination right. Plus, the CX-5 offers class-leading fuel economy and liberal interior dimensions, all at a competitive price. Sounds like a winning combination if ever we've heard one.
Official pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle's on-sale date in the first quarter of 2012, but official sources have reassured us that the five-passenger 2013 CX-5's pricing strategy will mirror that of its chief competitors, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. This means we should expect a price range from about $22,000 for the base CX-5 Sport to about $28,000 for the top-tier CX-5 Grand Touring. Mazda expects the midlevel CX-5 Touring to take the lion's share of sales, of course. All models are powered by the same fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, and all are available with all-wheel drive as well.
When it arrives, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 will be the first all-new vehicle to completely utilize Mazda's latest and most significant engineering effort to date. Mazda cryptically calls its all-encompassing approach Skyactiv Technology, a suite of efficiency, safety and driving-dynamics technologies baked into a vehicle as a whole. From the CX-5's body-in-white construction, to the powertrain, to the way this crossover steers and rides, this new SUV represents a fundamental shift in the way Mazda will engineer and construct everything it sells from now on, plus it's a strong new entry in a market segment that is becoming incredibly popular.
Mazda is very serious about competing with both the brisk-selling Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 with its CX-5. So confident, in fact, that the company predicts the 2013 CX-5 will be the second-best-selling vehicle in Mazda's portfolio.
Performance Mechanically similar to the Skyactiv-G 2.0 engine already available in the 2012 Mazda 3, yet tuned for the dissimilar demands of the heavier CX-5, this 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. This is enough power and torque for the 3,200-3,400-pound SUV, and Mazda says an all-wheel-drive CX-5 Grand Touring should run to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds. Our seat-of-the-pants experience says this estimate is spot on.
Despite an engine that is smaller in displacement and less powerful than the 2012 Honda CR-V's 185-hp 2.4-liter four, the Mazda should be quicker than the Honda, although it'll be 2 seconds slower to 60 mph than the last V6-powered RAV4 we tested. It's also refreshing to report that a well-executed six-speed manual transmission is available on the front-drive CX-5, something that will make this model rewarding to drive.
Yet going fast isn't what the CX-5 is all about. In fact, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 can claim class-leading fuel economy. Mazda estimates the CX-5 will earn EPA estimates of 26 city/33 highway mpg for a front-wheel-drive model with the six-speed manual. A front-drive automatic should earn 26 city/32 highway mpg, and an all-wheel-drive CX-5 (available only with a six-speed automatic) is expected to earn 25 city/30 highway mpg.
On our first drive of this crossover over a twisting road, we found the CX-5's brakes, suspension and steering uncommonly capable — a dynamic departure from the compact SUV segment. Thanks to the Skyactiv initiative, the CX-5's chassis is downright fun to drive and gives you confidence while doing so. The steering is quick and direct without being nervous. The handling is sporty and secure without being edgy. And the four-wheel disc brakes are strong and predictable.
Comfort On the open highway, we did detect some road noise from our Grand Touring model's 19-inch tires, but that is widespread for this segment. The large side mirrors, too, add a little wind noise, but you'd have to move up to a more expensive SUV to avoid these common maladies. The ride itself, however, felt like that of a larger SUV. Clever suspension architecture and tuning manage to offer that rare combination of agility and comfort.
The driving position and front-seat comfort overall is quite good. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with remote audio/cruise controls is standard on all models, but an eight-way powered driver seat, heated front seats and dual-zone HVAC all appear with the Grand Touring model. The standard leather-trimmed seats in the Grand Touring model were especially well-bolstered up front. Rear seats are spacious (especially legroom) for the category, though some might feel the bottom cushions are a little flat in order to get a nearly flat load space when the seatbacks are folded forward.
Function In terms of storage and cargo capability, the CX-5 is on par with its competitors. With all seats occupied, there are 34 cubic feet of luggage space that grows to 65 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The CX-5 Sport has 60/40-split folding rear seats, but for those of you who enjoy four-up skiing/snowboarding, you should note that both the Touring and Grand Touring models feature unique 40-20-40-split folding rear seats that accommodate four passengers and skis thanks to the ability of the center section to fold separately from the two seats.
The cockpit of the CX-5 is attractive, modern and functional. Of course, the farther up the model range you go, the list of standard features grows, but even the midlevel Touring model offers standard blind-spot monitoring, a color display with rearview camera, Bluetooth phone/audio streaming and privacy glass, to mention just a few items.
Mazda has also taken some pains to ensure that popular equipment on higher trim levels (such as Bluetooth, the monitor/camera and so on) will still be available as an option even on the base Sport model. There are four option packages (two for the Touring and one each for the Sport and Grand Touring) that offer a compelling number of choices, including upgraded audio systems, corner-following xenon headlamps, a TomTom-based navigation system and advanced keyless entry with push-button start.
Design/Fit and Finish We hardly need to tell you, but the 2013 Mazda CX-5 is probably the most daringly styled compact SUV out there. It has an aggressive stance, a confident face of handsomely sculpted sheet metal and a variety of alloy wheels depending on the model. In some ways, it's almost more European-inspired design than Japanese.
While the interior is modern, attractive and functional, it won't make you think "luxury." Nevertheless, the use of piano-black panels highlighted by satin-metallic details creates a very handsome look. The materials are substantial and look smart, and there's no simulated-wood trim option, which is fine with us. We were pleased to find soft-touch materials from armrest-level up. The cloth-upholstered seats of the base model feel durable, while the leather surfaces with their double-stitched seams show careful attention to detail.
Who should consider this vehicle The compact SUV segment is typically rife with compromise: space, ride comfort, driving pleasure, modern amenities or styling are often at odds with one another. With the 2013 CX-5, Mazda seeks to deliver all of the above and more without the usual give-and-take.
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 ought to attract buyers looking for a fun-to-drive alternative to the ubiquitous Honda CR-V and/or Toyota RAV4. The added bonus of class-leading fuel economy will also appeal to those who are looking for the utility of an SUV while trying to maintain a budget based on a previous compact sedan or hatchback.
Furthermore, the CX-5's impressive roster of standard and optional equipment (such as Bluetooth connectivity, digital-media compatibility, dual-zone climate control and so on) will serve those who have perhaps grown accustomed to these features in larger or more expensive SUVs.
Others To Consider
Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Used 2013 Mazda CX-5 listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2013 Mazda CX-5s for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 400 used and CPO 2013 CX-5s listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 10,500 and mileage as low as 19,920. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2013 Mazda CX-5. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 695 on a used or CPO 2013 CX-5 available from one of 2,632 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2013 Mazda CX-5 ?
Save up to $695 on one of 16 used 2013 Mazda CX-5s for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $10500 as of Apr 21, 2018, based on data from 16 dealers and 35 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2013 Mazda CX-5 trim styles:
The used 2013 Mazda CX-5 Touring is priced around $14063 with average odometer reading of 69857 miles.
The used 2013 Mazda CX-5 Sport is priced around $13975 with average odometer reading of 43704 miles.
The used 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring is priced around $15093 with average odometer reading of 74530 miles.
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What options are available on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Available Mazda CX-5 2013 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Mazda CX-5 2013 Trims: Grand Select, Touring, Grand Touring, Sport
Exterior Colors: Jet Black Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Gray Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Eternal Blue Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Meteor Gray Mica, Crystal White Pearl Mica, Soul Red Metallic, Blue Reflex Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Liquid Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Soul Red Mica, Crystal White Mica, Liquid Silver, Sky Blue Mica, Stormy Blue Mica, Zeal Red Mica
Interior Colors: Black leatherette/suede, Parchment leather, Silk Beige leatherette/suede, Sand/Parchment leather, Black premium cloth, Sand/Parchment premium cloth, Sand/Parchment cloth, Sand premium cloth, Black cloth, Black leather, Sand leather, Sand cloth
Popular Features: Post-collision safety system, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pre-collision safety system, Keyless Entry/Start, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Heads up display, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Back-up camera, Blind Spot Monitoring, Bluetooth, Power Driver Seat, Sunroof/Moonroof, Parking sensors, AWD/4WD, Upgraded Stereo, Remote Start, Alarm, Navigation, Upgraded Headlights, Auto Climate Control, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Towing Hitch
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, front wheel drive
Used 2013 Mazda CX-5 Overview
The used 2013 Mazda CX-5 is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include Touring 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A), and Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A). Pre-owned CX-5 models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2013 CX-5 comes with front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic.
