Used 2018 Mazda CX-5 Consumer Reviews
Used CX-5 for sale
1
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
UPDATE. Sweet ! Almost perfect
TgR, 12/23/2017
updated 06/27/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
106 of 107 people found this review helpful
UPDATE. Still love the little SUV. No rattles. Rides solid. Quiet. Only one complaint and it is a disappointment to me living in a big city. Navigation does not have real-time traffic and cannot reroute you around accidents. I find myself using Waze everyday. It’s a shame really because navigation is desolated on the HUD nicely but I don’t use it anymore. They really need to upgrade that. Wish they can update the software to fix that. That’s my only gripe on an otherwise great vehicle. Grand touring with premium package. Love love the heads up display and all its functions. It really is awesome. Shockingly quiet on the road. Had owned 3 Mazda’s before. They all had road noise. Not this one. This one is a quiet as my wife’s RX350 Lexus. Bose audio is not as good as I hoped. My old 2008 CX9 Bose system was wicked. This one is just okay. I wish they did a better job with the high end audio. Rides great. Fuel economy great. Interior is very nice. Really, for the money, it is awesome.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
If you only buy a car once every 15 years...
Jess, 10/27/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
45 of 45 people found this review helpful
The CX-5 met all my safety requirements, had just enough room in the back seat for two backward facing car seats (it is a tight fit - so be sure to try your own car seats), surprisingly good visibility based on how it looks from the outside, all for less money than anything I could find that was "comparable." I don't buy cars often and plan to keep this one for a long time. If you are the same and need to fit 1-2 kids - it might be a good model for you.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great overall value but missing a couple features
Goldy, 02/25/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
71 of 73 people found this review helpful
I downgraded in size from a 2015 Murano SL AWD to the 2018 Grand Touring AWD with Premium package to save some money and improve fuel economy. I only have the Mazda for a week so I may update this review in the future but so far, I only have one complaint with the vehicle. This model with the Premium package has a ton of safety features but the one it's missing is it doesn't have an all-around camera. This feature was on my Murano and was really helpful when parking as you can see the lines on the sides of you as well as the front and rear of the vehicle. This is also helpful when parking in our garage since I need to back in to my space. On the positive side, the interior seems spacious for the dimensions. My wife drove a 2015 Rogue SL AWD and I got her the same Mazda CX-5 with the exact same equipment since our leases are both up within two weeks of each other in a different color. We both think the CX-5 interior is nicer in every way than the Rogue and all storage other than the glove box and center armrest storage is fine in the CX-5. The paint quality, fit & finish & general build quality are as good or better in every way on the Mazda. All the interior materials seem nicer on the Mazda and the ride quality is definitely better than the Rogue. I think dollar for dollar, the CX-5 will be a great choice if you want a sporty compact SUV with a ton of features for day-to-day driving and very good fuel economy in a fun to drive SUV.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Acceleration Hesitation & Nervous Transmission
DDD, 07/19/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
39 of 40 people found this review helpful
I Love almost everything about the car. Looks, interior quality, comfort, fuel mileage, AWD, attention to detail, etc. Beautiful vehicle with one very noticeable flaw. From a stop, or even at low RPM up-shifts, when you apply moderate acceleration…the vehicle hesitates momentarily, then accelerates. This hesitation/lurch is significant enough to cause driver/passenger heads to nod forward/rearward, which is not an experience one expects when driving a new and modern vehicle. It’s a recurrent experience that many are aware of and the problem seems to be unique to the 2018 2.5L. The transmission is also very noticeable in this vehicle. While I don’t mind a firm shifting transmission, this exaggerated lock-up on every up-shift and down-shift can be a driving distraction, especially on tight winding mountain roads, or in slow-speed zones which is where I do most of my driving. After reading numerous comments about others experiencing the same effect, I scheduled the car for a dealer service visit to address the problem. I’ll post a follow-up after the visit. I spent months comparing the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester and others to ensure I bought the right car for my needs. Important issues were all-wheel-drive/reliability/quality/warranty/mileage/styling/creature comforts. I had seen growing complaints/problems with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) in the Nissan Rogues and others, and preferred to stay with the tried and true Automatic Transmission which narrowed my personal choices to the Hyundai Tucson and the Mazda CX-5. After driving both and comparing mileage and interior quality levels…the CX-5 was the clear choice. Recently Mazda announced a recall on 2018-2019 CX-5s for a potential stalling issue linked to the Cylinder Deactivation process designed to save fuel. This may or may not be part of the problem with the noted acceleration hesitation. There are also discussions in several forums stating the less-than-smooth shifting is possibly due to a pronounced torque converter lock up. Whatever the cause…the lurching acceleration and nervous transmission make the driving experience less than smooth and luxurious. I’m not a certified mechanic, but am an old car-guy who’s owned and loved over 40 vehicles. I can tell when a vehicle is performing properly and when there are performance/driveability issues. This is definitely a driveability issue that hopefully can be improved by a software update. I highly recommend test driving a 2018-2019 CX-5 (non-turbo) and see how it performs. The cars are beautiful and well put together. If the drive-train issue is not a deal-breaker for you, you may be ready for your new SUV purchase. For others, the acceleration and shifting issues may cause some hesitation. (Pun intended).
Luxury at an affordable price!
VAGentleman, 07/23/2018
updated 08/09/2023
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
46 of 48 people found this review helpful
After 5 years of use, I love my CX-5 even more than when I first bought it. For me, it's just the right size. Easy to park and a whole lot of fun to drive. The HUD (Head's Up Display) is one of my favorite features - will never buy another car that doesn't have it! True, the lane changing warning is a little too sensitive, but I'd rather have it too sensitive than not sensitive enough! Love that it locks itself when I walk away. I drive mostly mixed - but a bit more city than country and am getting around 23 to 26 mpg. Have had no repairs except for normal maintenance and replacing all four tires.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Very close to entry level luxury
Benjamin, 12/28/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
30 of 31 people found this review helpful
I'm a previous Volvo, Mercedes, and Acura owner. The main competition for me was the Volvo XC40 and XC60, along with the new Acura RDX. While these cars are still a bit more refined, I think the new GT Reserve and Signature trims greatly close the gap on what was already a close gap with the non-turbo GT I have. Fit and finish is on par with the aforementioned brands. I did not even seriously consider Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, VW, etc because they don't look as good inside and out, and they drive far more uninspired -- very dull cars / mini vans. Coming out of my comfy Volvo seats I was worried, but after two long interstate trips I had no problems with my skinny bum. While I miss front and rear parking sensors as well as a turbo, I can attest that switching to sport mode in the on ramp will help you get ahead of that semi screaming down the interstate. LOVE the HUD -- fantastic. Leather is high quality. Stable AWD (drove through a snow storm and sleet). Highway mileage is decent and I am at combined mpg of over 26. This is a solid car that saves you real money without sacrificing much. But I have caveats -- 1) you can't use the touch screen while driving (so the passenger can't use it); 2) While driving lots of menu options are blacked out to keep your eyes on the road; 2.5) You can not move the nV map, only zoom in and out; 3) the seat heaters take a long time to feel warm (but the steering wheel heats up super fast); 4) Wish the front seed folded forward flat; 4.5) Glove box is a bit small; 5) You have to spend hundreds of dollars to get the Android Auto upgrade (should be complimentary).
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Great SUV!
Ferdinand, 09/21/2018
updated 03/25/2021
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
This SUV drives and feels like a luxury car. It doesn't have a V6 but the 4 cylinder engine responds well enough for the car. Very impressed with the fit and finish.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
CX-5 - Zoom-Zoom
DJC, 08/22/2018
updated 03/05/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
My prior vehicle was a Nissan Juke. I am 6'1" and struggled getting in & out of the Juke and with headroom. The CX-5 is much better for ingress/egress and headroom. I have had the car for only a couple of weeks so everything is still new. The road noise is very low. The interior is quiet. The sound (Bose) is excellent. I wish the entertain system had more categories for my favorites. I like the system control by the gear shift for music/navigation/vehicle systems/communication. For phone directory - it does not allow you to add any new contacts. It downloads from phone, which I use to keep ALL of my contacts in, which I don't need when driving. PROS - Plenty of room, quiet, good mileage so far, peppy. Nice features, EZ to use. CONS - hesitates when pulling away at stop sign, brakes seem soft, front seat cushion is short for a tall person, rear styling is blah/cheap looking. UPDATE I now the vehicle for several months, including during winter months. It handles very well in the snow. I have not had any issues with traction. It transfers to all wheel drive seamlessly. I love the heated steering wheel. A nice surprise. I am still finding there is plenty of room for everything I have done so far. Some miscues - I don't like the adaptive cruise control. It's annoying - it does not give you any indication it is slowing down like some other cars do. You can turn it off by holding the cruise button. Similarly, I don;t like the lane departure warning. Again, annoying, specially if only slight departure, or navigating lanes on interstate. The auto wipers don;t activate soon enough, then the unevenness of wipe cycle can be bothersome. It needs to average out over a bit longer time. First, it doesn't wipe soon enough - water is flowing across windshield, then it wipes several quick cycles, then pauses, then cycles slow, the quick again, all with a steady drizzle. But I am still enjoying the car overall.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I love, love my Mazda!
Lisa, 11/18/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
The cabin is luxurious and very impressive!!! Top quality products!!! Mazda did an outstanding job being competitive with the luxury automobiles!!! High safety score. Sexy body style. Great gas mileage for an suv. Only wish more horsepower were available. But then the gas mileage would be less. In sport mode you get more pep when taking off from a stop. The horsepower is still good!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Luxury feel for midlevel price
George C., 08/01/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
35 of 38 people found this review helpful
Just got this car 2 days ago. Traded in my 2007 Toyota Rav4 Sport. This car is much nicer inside than my other car. Really like the selector knob to navigate the infotainment system. The infotainment screen is touch screen too. The selector knob is something that you usually only see on higher end cars. I like the seats. In my touring model they are suede/ leather. The seat itself is a bit firm. I opted for the preferred package. This got me the upgraded 10 speaker Bose stereo, navigation, and auto dimming mirror. It is worth the $1200 cost to upgrade. The Bose stereo is not as nice as I thought it would be. I think Mazda needed to install an amplifier. The basic radio doesn't have the wattage to really make the stereo thump. Minor flaw, imo. Perhaps something they need to address in future model years. I expected the stereo to really boom with 10 speakers. Another drawback is no more CD player. Most newer cars are ditching them. The ride is a bit firm, but that is what makes the car handle so well when turning/cornering. Acceleration I think is great compared to my old Rav 4. When you step on the pedal this thing gets up and moves. The accelerator is a little funny feeling. It is floor mounted rather than the usual suspended in most cars. Can't speak on gas mileage as I'm still on my first tank of gas. Lol. All in all I think that this is a great mid price SUV with a higher end feel to the inside. I believe that is what Mazda strives for, and they've succeeded. This is a must try car for anyone in the market for a new SUV.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Blown Engine 18 months in
KurtHG, 10/27/2020
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have a 2018 Cx-5. 40,000 K/M's in it has a blown head cylinder and head gasket. The dealership says the defective head cylinder issue is a known issue by Mazda and that certain VIN numbers are effected. I now have a new car with a rebuilt engine. This is my first and last Mazda.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Review after 1 1/2 years owning a '18 CX-5
Hector, 10/24/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
53 of 59 people found this review helpful
I will focus my review on the things that other consumers and potential buyers should know. 1) The red leather stitches, which really stand out and make it look luxurious, faded to a very light almost imperceptible orange-ish color after 1 year. The Bluetooth connection had glitches when the camera (Gear in reverse) was on. In one occasion I needed to turn off/ turn on the car to make it work again. But the worst part, after 27,000 miles the fuel pump failed and I needed to take the car to service (I was driving from Manhattan to Albany, NY) and it ruined our family trip, not to mention that it happened on a Saturday and the piece needed to be sent overnight and the car was ready until Monday at 5:00pm. The console's plastic clear plastic section (around the shifter) scratches quite easily therefore you need to be super careful if you put a cell phone there.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Zoom! Zoom!
Chris R., 06/14/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
The CX 5 is absolutely a winner! From handling, fuel economy, interior quality, exterior design, and engine performance, the CX 5 has it all. Believe it or not I traded in my 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport SE for the CX 5. The car dealer thought I was crazy! 6 months later I still say it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It has twice the bells and whistles the Land Rover for 1/2 the price. I highly recommend potential buyers check out the CX 5.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car for the money!
L.S., 09/26/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
19 of 21 people found this review helpful
I really love my car and compliments all the time! I bought the CX-5 because I did not want to own a bland vehicle, but wanted the space and height of an SUV. I found the CX-5 to be the best for its money, and most attractive for it's class (non-luxury SUV). I have enjoyed everything about my CX-5 so far, except having to get an update to the electronics for it to properly load my contacts. I also required a re-alignment a few weeks in because of some pot holes.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great value, good choice
Kevin, 12/17/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
I went to the local Mazda dealer with the intention of buying a pre owned Mazda 6. I had been driving cars for the last ten or twelve years. However at 6' 3" the sedan wasn't necessarily the best fit for headroom and living in the Northeast I'd grown a little tired of the whole front wheel drive thing in the snow. After driving the CX-5 I was impressed enough to take it home that same day. It's not my dream vehicle, not even close. However it's supremely functional, handles great and gets good mileage for an AWD vehicle. This car has certainly changed my perception of crossovers and smaller SUVs. It's also a good looking vehicle thats reasonably priced. If you want to forgo saving for retirement or live in a cardboard box, go buy the Lexus. If your smart you'll buy the Mazda.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
CX-5 Review after 1 month
Ed Sheinis, 06/06/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
This car is loaded with safety technology. Handles great and front seats are very comfy. Probably would not want to sit in back seat for long trips. The acceleration is a little underpowered but trade-off is great mileage.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
IN LOVE
Golfer Lady, 08/25/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
We purchased our CX 5 in July of 2017 and we love it as much today as when we drove it off the lot. Comfortable to travel and holds golf clubs easily. Navigation system took a little to learn but now I use it all the time. We were considering a Mercedes SUV and decided the CX 5 was just as nice for a great deal less money
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not what I expected/ Update
Danw818, 11/09/2018
updated 06/04/2021
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
30 of 35 people found this review helpful
I had very high expectations for my 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring, and it has not lived up to my expectations. I have had it for 4 and 1/2 months, put 3000 miles on it, and have had electrical problems 3 times so far. First, the entertainment system froze the day I bought it, then 3 weeks later, the screen on the entertainment went black. And most disappointing, a week ago, pushed start button with foot on the brake, engine turned over as normal, but did not start. Pressed the start button again and it did start, but all warning lights stayed on, it ran terrible, and info pod started listing each operating system as malfunctioning. Shut it off and restarted, and it was fine. Took it to the dealership, and they found a code that indicated foot on brake and throttle at the same time! Had nothing at all to do with my problem. These problems should NOT be occurring with a brand new car. Now I am fearful of making any plans to travel anywhere out of the immediate area with this vehicle. To attempt to correct the entertainment system issues, they just restored my system to an earlier version. I am very frustrated and actually sorry I bought this car. This is my 3rd Mazda CX-5, and it will certainly be my last CX-5. Update As of May 30th, problems have not reaccured. I now have 7000 miles on it. I like driving it except I cant get a comfortable seat adjustment. Dont feel "planted" in the seat. Has sufficient power. Solid car so far.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Front Camera Sensor problem
Suyash, 07/13/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
24 of 28 people found this review helpful
I bought my Cx-5 from Royal Automotive Mazda dealership on March 18, 2018. Within first week itself, i started getting error message on my front cluster that "Front camera is malfunctioning". When the message started popping up few times i decided to visit dealership. After 2-3 visits dealership replaced the front camera. They have me courtesy car and got it replaced with 2 days. However again within a week same message started popping up. It is more frequent now. Within having car less than 4 months, the message has popped up atleast 8-9 times with no reason. I am afraid if such a new car gives me problem, how many problems it will give after few months/years. reverse camera also refused to start for a day. After repairs as the issue persisted i contacted mazda. the case is opened from last 45 days but not even a single person tried solving the issue other than emailing. Every email says, they are trying to get in touch with dealers. Wont recommend people to buy this CX-5.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Biggest bag for your buck, (Apples for Apples)
Mark Fiore, 02/11/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
45 of 54 people found this review helpful
I have been doing research for the last 4 months. I have looked at everything from new to certified used. My price limit was 35,000. I never thought I would ever look at Mazada but once I saw what was included for SAFETY fearures I was shocked. I had to look at what this was. For what was included for the money nothing came close. You can spent over 50K on a compact SUV and still you will not have features that this vechicle has. Compare apples to apples and don't be stuck what other people say or because it's a Honda it must be good. I traded in a Honda CRV and the new CRV was 5k more than what I got. Remember (Apples for Apples) The BMW was way out of sight and the Audi did not even come close. I have had this for over two weeks and my wife and I are thrilled. Everytime I get into the vechicle I'm amazed at what new technology that this has. Mazada has stepped up there game to become competitive in this market. It handles like a sport car and the ride compfort is amazing. The new Mazada CX7 is coming and the CX9 is also outstanding. Before you spend your hard earn money make sure you do your our evulation and see what you get for your money. THE BIGGEST BAG FOR YOUR BUCK. It's worth a look. Safety for you and your family. Good luck and have fun!!!!!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
CX-5 is alive!
Jerry, 04/30/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
It's no speed demon but it's not meant to be. Has quite a bit of safety tech for the money. Should have a CD player but not available on 2018. Bose Sound system is awesome and road noise is low.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Style and performance with a few concerns
AdamR, 01/16/2019
updated 01/21/2020
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
By far the CX-5 is the most stylish and performance-minded SUV within its price bracket. It is supremely comfortable to ride in, offers great support on longer rides and feels "connected" with the road. I don't think you could go wrong with purchasing this vehicle. That being said... here are some concerns... #1. The key fob buttons are easily pressed. Often I've found, hours later, that my rear liftgate had gone up or the vehicle had unlocked itself due to the buttons being pressed accidentally in my pocket. #2. The built-in "infotainment" system feels like a cell phone + a standalone GPS unit from 2004. The UI is ugly to look at, options are buried in menus, the system is unresponsive, and navigation is poor. Navigation does not take into account real-time traffic (so it may route its user through the biggest traffic jam because it's the mathematically shortest route). It's also very difficult to search for a place without entering the country, state, city, zip code, street, and address number. It must not get regular updates; most businesses that have opened in the last couple years do not appear in its listings. In addition, the small circular screen behind the steering wheel crams too much info into one page. #3. The high-gloss plastic around the shifter, on the door armrests, and on the exterior of the vehicle is easily scratched. Even soft dusting cloths leave scratches. #4. The center console armrest and the door armrests do not line up with each other. It can be awkward to rest both arms at different heights and angles. #5. The heater in my vehicle does not throw heat into the cabin until the engine is at just about at standard temperature (210F). #6. The adaptive cruise control is a little touchy - it cannot predict when vehicles ahead are entering or leaving the lane, so it does not react until the vehicle is squarely in sight or out of sight. Therefore I cannot use it in dense traffic. #7 The speedometer, tachometer, and auxiliary readout screen may be partially blocked by the frame of the steering wheel depending on the combination of driver's seat height and steering wheel location. For me, I cannot read the tops of the readouts without adjusting my position.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Review after owning for a year...
Joel, 06/26/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I have owned my 2018 CX-5 Sport base model in Blue for over a year now and previous to this I had a 2015 Mazda 3 hatchback which I traded in. I am going to start with the things that I like about the car: (1) I love the way it handles and feels, I think it is very fun to drive and drives similar to my previous vehicle which I thought was pretty cool for a car of this size. (2) I love the interior of the car, it looks a lot more like a luxury car and the cloth seats are definitely more comfortable than the leather ones. The interior is also a lot more quiet than my previous car and driving at high speeds feels very solid. (3) I love the styling and color of the exterior of the car. It looks very sharp, sporty and luxurious, I have the Eternal Blue Mica which is very nice and the paint has a nice crystal shine to it when the car is clean. (4) Probably my favorite thing about this vehicle is the gas mileage, right now I do 60% driving in the city and I am averaging 25.7mpg which I think is great for a vehicle this size (I was averaging 30.9 in my hatchback). Now to the things I don't like about the car: (1) Interior seating space is one complaint that I have, there is plenty of space in the driver/front passenger side of the car but the back seats are a little bit cramped. I put my 3 yr old nice in her car seat behind my seat, and she is able to touch my seat with her little feet (I stand at 5'11") so I usually have to move my seat out of my driving position so that she can be more comfortable. (2) The infotainment system is very easy to use but it doesn't come standard with android auto/apple car play which is about a $500 update. I usually listen to Pandora radio and the Bluetooth will sometimes disconnect and won't read my phone for some reason (it has happened with both my iPhone and android phones). Also pairing my phone to the car can sometimes be a pain because once you start the car the system takes a bit of time to load and you have to a several step process which can be annoying. I drove a 2017 Elantra and it connected to my phone with the press of a button super easy and fast. (3) The thing that I hate the most about this car and my previous one is the paint quality. The paint chips and scratches so easily with almost anything. After owning the car for a year, there are minor chips and scratches all over the hood and the side of the car which is very annoying. My previous car had the same issue with the quality of the paint. My brother owns a 2000 Chevy impala and the paint on that vehicle looks almost brand new even though the car is almost 20 yrs old. Mazda needs to step up their game with their paint otherwise I would have given the car a 5+ review.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 CX-5: it’s all about perspective
New CX-5 owner, 01/10/2019
updated 07/18/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I recently purchased a 2018 CX-5 Grand Touring (premium package) to replace an aging 2011 Ford Escape. The CX-5 is a terrific little (5-passenger) SUV or CUV depending on how you define this sort of thing. Handling is crisp and there is no delay in the responsiveness between steering wheel and the road. Breaking is nice, even heavy braking does not result in the front end digging into the pavement, like my 4Runner always wanted to. The front seats are comfortable and very supportive, but every once in awhile I feel as if my backside is just a tad too big, got to get on the treadmill again. Interior is minimalistic but the quality of the materials are nice, reminds me of a c300 I once owned, except the seats are real leather in the CX-5. One thing that I was disappointed in is that the entertainment system did not have Apple CarPlay. My wife was unable to program the navigation system, as it just didn’t include an address for the dealer. CarPlay would have solved this issue. The CX-5 was built in April 2018, I purchased it on December 26, and on January 9, I paid another $399 to the dealer to have CarPlay retrofitted into the vehicle. I guess the 2019 comes with CarPlay. Good looking vehicle, handles terrific, good build quality and materials (carpet in the trunk). I like the heads up display, and the added safety features of the vehicle. It just misses on the entertainment system and is a bit pricey (got the Grand Touring Premium package). Update July 2019: The car has been a really reliable vehicle. Just turned over 4,000 miles and getting ready for the first oil change. No issues. Fit and finish are very good. Did recently read that there is a recall for a lifter issue, which is not good, but I have not had any issues with acceleration or engine noise.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
All the bells and whistles
Lisa, 12/29/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I went from a Nissan Juke to the loaded out Mazda CX-5 and so don't regret it! We use this car for our road trips as the ride is smooth, gas mileage is great for an SUV, storage is good and we can jam with the amazing Bose 10 speaker system. This has been a dream car to drive with all of the bells and whistles from heated seats in front and back (daughter loves that), lumbar support and adjustable driver and passenger seats, excellent cruise control, all of the safety features and really at a reasonable price. My husband who is tall does great driving this and has plenty of leg/head room.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Luxury ride at affordable price!
Brenda, 01/05/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I’ve driven in Volvo’s, BMW’s, Lexus, etc. I can honestly say this is right up there with the ‘luxury class’ but at a much more affordable price. Besides the amazing technology this SUV comes with it is a beautiful, comfortable, sleek vehicle. I do admit I had to go back to the dealership to get some remedial training in all the technology it comes with but the salesmennwere so great and patient. Once I understood all it has to offer I was even more impressed. It’s simply a beautiful vehicle that has every single thing you would want or need in a vehicle. Living in Alaska it’s already been tested on very slick roads and I have not had a single scare or issue. I highly recommend this SUV! I’m loving it the longer I have it!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Mazda Wonder
Lad Fem, 04/30/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Small storage (perfect for me); beautiful, simple and clean design, particularly external; comfortable front driver seats, back seat okay for 2 regular adults; split second lags in acceleration; drive and cabin is comfortable; very low cabin noise; great tech: electronics and displays.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car well worth the money
C, 08/05/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I purchased the sport model two weeks ago and I have to say I am immensely pleased! I’ve been looking around for a while for an SUV I started with used couldn’t really find anything that I liked or that didn’t have a ton of miles on it and then I found this new. I got the sport model which is the base model and it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but compared to the base models of other SUVs it actually is pretty well-equipped and it’s super quiet. The LED headlights are super bright and at first I thought I would regret not having the fog lights but I don’t need them these lights are superbright and you can see super far. I do wish the car had a CD player and that it had a few more speakers but for a base set the speakers are actually really good. The car does have a very quality feel to it so I’m guessing it will hold up well. I also wish the car had the releases in the truck to fold the seats down since I have a base model it doesn’t have them at all. Other than the black trim/seats which is hard to keep clean I have to say overall I give it five stars. I really wanted a sunroof so the dealership had one put in so I didn’t have to step up and spend a few more thousand dollars for the touring trim.
A bit disappointing
Dirk Lebowski, 01/16/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
62 of 80 people found this review helpful
My CX-5 is an average car. I can't compare it to other SUV's since I haven't driven them. But I will not buy this car when the lease is up. I leased it to test the safety technology knowing that in three years this tech will have advanced significantly. Pros for safety: great headlights and visibility. The blind spot monitor works well as does the pacing cruise control. Cons for safety: the active braking is useless. It will not stop the car before an accident. Ditto for the lane sensors. They are just an annoyance. They do not work on faded stripes. The infotainment system is very disappointing. The navigation does not have real time traffic so is useless for day to day driving. Stick to Waze or Google maps. The radio is disappointing. Sirius does not display the full title of the song nor the album artwork. The engine is underpowered. Mazda has a sport mode button as a crutch when accelerating. But the shift points are crazy high. At 65 in sport mode you are still in fourth gear.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Just a few things
David Brown, 09/12/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
There are a few things that would make it better: The cargo net needs to be hooked vertically and not horizontal. Most other makers have this as a pouch you can store stuff in as well. I would make the side mirrors electrical retracting. The glass appears to be thin or not as good of quality as it gets hot in the car even when the AC is on 70. The heat hits you right in the. Hands and steering wheel.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Worst car ever purchased EVER !
Peter, 06/01/2019
updated 12/03/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
21 of 27 people found this review helpful
like the title said. I own the 2.5L Turbo version Grand Touring Signature and NOTHING on this car works properly like you would expect. The technology in this car is like throwback thursdays 4 years ago. I had almost 3 crashes because the radar cruise failed and i had to punch the brakes and nearly missed the car in front. The rainsensors in the windhsield sometimes work, sometimes they dont. Automatic High beams, sometimes work, mostly they don't. I have videos of all my complaints and my mazda service technician says stuff like.. these things never work right.And i also learned and thats important that mazda will not like other car companies send out engineers to dealerships once a quarter. Mazda doesnt. You are on your own. Heat doesnt work as expected, heated steering wheel is heated only half, android integration is not working properly. If you plug in 2 phones in the front jack you loose onboard navigation. HUD vanishes with sunglasses, Engine when cold sounds like a diesel engine. So if you are looking for a car which will bring you from A to be with decent mileage but with NO frills its an okay car. if you looking for a comfy ride with a nice tech package which works, this is not it. Its infuriating. I rented a RAV4 last weekend to go on a trip and it was much better even though it was 10K less. engine not as nice but everything worked. Update One year later seat covers needed to be replaced because stitching came apart. Engine failed and Mazda replaced the intake manifold. Looks like thats going to be a thing not just in my car. My mazda service manager said its a defective part, like a recall kinda thing. Car almost killed me when it went into something called limp mode when a cylinder misfired and the car suddenly slowed down to a crawl and i was almost hit by a truck. Very nice. After the exchange performance of the car has definately changed.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 CX-5 GT - >1500 miles
helloniyana, 07/23/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
17 of 22 people found this review helpful
When I first test drove this car I wanted not to like it. The second time I test drove, I purchased the car. I've taken 2 long trips ~400 miles RT, and am now encountering some shaking when driving at lower speeds. Previous car was a 2015 Jeep Cherokee and this NEVER happened. Also, I realize I can't check the tire pressure from inside the car? Why? And the tech is just awful. Design and utilization. It looks great, but functionally terrible. I will take to the dealer for the shaking as this is a concern, and its riding quite rougher than when I first purchased. I'm worried I made a bad decision.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great mid-sized suv
GMT, 09/29/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
14 of 18 people found this review helpful
Compare to Hyundai, Kia, and Fix Terrain. Much more for the money. I put on a Mazda roof rack which dresses up the vehicle sigbicantly( cost around $400).
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love the car except one thing
Maddy, 06/18/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
I love this car! It drives really well, has great pick up, is comfortable, and the safety feature are awesome. It handles really well and is very roomy. My only issue with this car is the entertainment system. Half the time the bluetooth works with my music and the other half it shows music is playing but doesn't have any sound or show what song or album is playing. Just that the time for the song is going down. If I try to play music from the usb it is also spotty but less so than the bluetooth. It usually works but I have to already have the song playing or it will say "unplayable media". No idea why. It's very annoying. Other than that the car is great!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car
Happy in Philly, 05/18/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The car fits me like a glove, rides very smooth and I don’t feel like I’m in a MAC truck like other crossovers/SUV!s andthe safety features are remarkable! Love, love, LOVE my CX-5!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
ZOOM ZOOM
Kerri, 11/27/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Buy used off 2 year lease you will save THOUSANDS and still have a NEW car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Smooth shift and ride
MrsPom, 01/15/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Very peppy and good gas mileage (I average 28 mpg). Lack of cup holders in the rear--the middle section comes down separately from the rear seats--good opportunity to put cup holders...nope...and the rear seatback slants too much for us under-tall adults :) not comfy at all..I have to use a pillow or I am leaning back very uncomfortably, which makes me assume it's not a great set up for child car seats. Seems to hold road well in rain and snow--although that has not yet been much of a challenge this winter. Glass is a bit worrisome as there are some blind spots when pulling into traffic--you have to angle at some intersections to make sure you have a good view of oncoming traffic...not sure if its because I am short, but pulling out onto the road from a side street is sometimes a gamble, depending on the intersection configuration. Headlights are adjustable so you can lower their height in traffic and raise it on a dark country road. The basic interior fabric is a serious lint collector--I bought covers because it was so annoying--but seats are pretty comfy for a basic bucket. Smooth ride; effortless/easy transmission shift, esp. on acceleration. Red color is AWESOME!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring My First SUV
WDB, 05/25/2019
updated 12/01/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This my first SUV and I traded in my 1996 BMW 740iL with only 95K miles on it, in pristine condition. I have owned the CX-5 for 6 months now so I am confident I can give a realistic review. My first suggestion is to download the interactive owners manual and navigation manual from Mazda as it is easier to search, find and read on a computer than the book. The front seats are very comfortable and great adjustability, but I find the telescoping steering wheel does not come out as far as I would like to be comfortable unless holding on the bottom of the steering wheel. To review and also answer some of the downfalls others have mentioned, the Bose stereo needs some adjustments for personalization, like fading more to the back and decreasing the treble and increasing the base which activates the sub-woofer over the spare tire for a better sound, although this can be hard to find in the navigation audio section. The CX-5 sleek design caught my attention immediately compared to the other 6 SUV's I looked at which seemed to have a "flat" front end. Handling is tight and responsive, which is what I learned to expect from Mazda, also owning a Miata MX-5. I like all the safety features, which also gave me a discount on my insurance, but as noted before the blind spot monitoring is not exactly accurate when passing someone on the highway, and indicators are lit for vehicles with more than adequate room to merge into the other lane, I would like to see that adjustable. With the cruise control on, I love the fact Mazda front radar system matches the vehicle in front of you and that length is adjustable. I came upon one instance where the vehicle in front was coming to a stop and my CX-5 actually stopped my vehicle without me having to even touch the brake, although my foot was over the brake pedal, this was a test I performed. As far as not having a CD player, I have burned 40+ CDs onto a flash drive and with an USB adapter cable can play all my CDs from the USB port in the front console. Those front 2 ports are for the audio system, while the rear two USB ports put out the proper voltage to charge your phone. I am very pleased with all the features of the Grand Touring, except for the rear passenger leg room, which I rarely use. Also removing the headrest from the rear seats makes folding the rear seats flat and gives more than adequate room for my purposes and extra cargo. I purchased a CPO vehicle which basically gave me the warranty of a new vehicle saving thousands of dollars. My bottom line is I like the features of the CX-5 better than any other SUV I test drove. I could add more, and there are accessory both factory and aftermarket which add significantly to the appearance and functionality of the vehicle. One feature I think should be addressed is the lack of adequate cargo lighting, with the rear hatch open, the lighting is on the hatch, not inside the vehicle. UPDATE: The exposed metal parts surrounding the bushings and the wheel hub assembly under the vehicle, rust very easily and should be treated with something from the manufacturer!!!!! If I had known this I would have sprayed with a protective coating.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Feels like a luxury car without the price!
DDV, 01/15/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The 2019 models come with Apple Play which I wish my 2018 had. Also, the Nav system isn't great. That said, I LOVE my CX-5! It feels like a luxury vehicle but I didn't have to sell a kidney. It looks great, rides great and I love driving it!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Never again
Doni, 04/08/2020
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
I am a senior citizen. When my spouse died and I was on my own my family insisted I get a new worry free car. We chose this Mazda CX-5 because I got a better view of the roadway. So now all I do is worry. My drives are limited and if the car is not driven every day it won’t start. I have had it jump started 7 times in two years. The battery has been replaced twice. Last time the car had to be towed to the dealer. They say there is nothing wrong. Now there is a governor’s order because of the virus to stay home for 30 days. Of course the car is parked with a useless battery. I will never recommend a Mazda to anyone.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love
K C, 05/20/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 15 people found this review helpful
I love this car. I previously drive a Lexus, but I prefer this sporty SUV and feel like Mazda thought of everything.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 RED TOURING WAGON
Lee Hoover, 07/22/2018
updated 07/23/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
It drives wonderfully. I have ridden in a Jeep Patriot as well as a Toyota Rav4. This vehicle has a much smoother ride than either of those. It is so quite inside. I have now had it for slightly over a yr. and the only "complaints" I would have for changes are : (1) The center console is a little further back for me and needs to be repositioned. (2) The center front cup holders need to be repositioned - my drinks get in the way of my right arm and (3) it would be nice If "all round camera" was available. I have never had this feature, but it seems to be a nice feature to have. I got a wonderful price on the CX - 5 t and it has the package that really gives some of the features found on the Grand Touring such as the Navigation system, the 10 speaker Bose sound system, moonroof, power rear lift gate . It would be nice if the Navigation system was in color. But a feature that my CX - 5 has that I REALLY do like on the Navigation system is that it recognizes the speed signs and it changes to "red " if you going over the speed limit. It is a wonderful vehicle.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great small suv
Eugene Beach, 12/23/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have trouble getting in and out of a car that sits low to the ground . This car is easy to get in and out of. When I start the car you can barely hear the engine running. I went on a 1400 mile trip through rain and snow and not once did the vehicle lose traction. The cruise control is terrific. All I had to do is keep the car in it’s own lane and the cruise kept the car going whether we had to slow down for a vehicle in front of me or speeding up after going through a town. No touching the brake or using the gas pedal. The cruise made the trip effortless. I love my CX-5. My car is a 2018 model.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Valve Cover Gasket Problems!
Kayla D, 10/27/2020
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I leased this car and have had it for a little over 2 years. Had it leaking oil from the gasket around 9,000 miles for it leak again around 40,000 miles. Tried to refuse to change it as it was out of warranty but, the gasket covers should last for at least 50,000 miles. I would think twice before getting this car, has this major engine problem that many others have to deal with. Mazda charges you to update the media system as well, and that starts having problems as well.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
not a premium stereo, bad gas mileage
james, 03/24/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Got a 2018 Cx5 grand touring . Am really liking it so far. Have not had it long enough to comment on reliability. my two biggest complaints would be gas mileage which has been around 20 mpg far below the sticker and the stereo which is a bose premium. Although it sounds good it is far from premium. If you have ever had a premium sound system installed you would know the difference. It sounds better than your average system but falls short of being a premium stereo. I will comment on reliability after 100,000 miles.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Diagnostics Don't Detect Electrical Issues
Rick B, 08/27/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
16 of 26 people found this review helpful
AC and backup camera problems continue to be an intermittent problem since we bought this car in 2016. Everytime we bring the car to multiple dealerships, we get the same answer, whether it is under warranty or not, that they cannot find and problems or codes. The dealership doesn't perform any investigation past checking codes or replicating the problem. Mazda policy seems to be set so that if neither of these two conditions are met then the customer must be lying about the problem. Mazda never once questioned the reliability of their diagnostic system to detect electrical problems.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love it but...
CJ Barton, 07/15/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I wish I had purchased the GT for the memory seats and HUD. My bog issue is with the shifting at low gears. It lurches. I will be taking it back to see if they can reset the transmission. Then I will be happy, happy, happy!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love it
Barb, 01/15/2019
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Exceedes all my high expectations
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
TRUE FIVE STAR SUV
JB, 12/28/2018
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Excellent ride, good gas mileage, superb technology (I have added android/apple interface to it) and now it is complete. it feels like a 40K SUV. Anyone shopping for a small SUV must consider this vehicle.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Comfortable & Efficient Small SUV
DC Mazda CX-5 Owner, 07/09/2020
2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Ride is a bit tight, but is a champ on long road trips. Compared to Kia, doesn’t have same storage nooks and crannies other imports incorporate to maximize space. Front area a little congested on long trips—drink area and center console often fought over. Steering is tight—especially when compared to Wrangler or Cherokee. First time in a 4cylinder—and it’s OK. doesn’t feel underpowered on highways. Have not tried it in mountains or with towing. Cargo space is decent—not best, not worst. Auto-hatch closer is the option you never knew you needed and can never live without. Rear AC vents and moonroof dog approved. Apple Car Play integration works for me. Center display and controls are intuitive and easy to navigate while driving. Really can’t go wrong with this little gem. Would get power seats for passenger side on next go round. Definitely get the moonroof if you feel you’re missing your larger off-road vehicle of your youth. Only draw back is it’s a little long for city parking.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
1