2018 Mazda CX-5 Review

Name: 2018 Mazda CX-5 Review
Brand: Mazda

Price Range: $12,390 - $23,998

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Peter Gareffa^{Staff Writer
Peter digs deep to help provide shoppers with the information they need to make wise car-buying decisions and keep informed about the auto industry.}

Pros

Keen handling and steering make the CX-5 enjoyable to drive
Attractive and upscale cabin for a premium ownership experience
Stays quiet at highway speeds

Cons

Not as powerful as some rivals

What's new

Blind-spot monitoring now standard on all CX-5s
Slight increase in fuel efficiency
Part of the second CX-5 generation introduced for 2017

Mazda redesigned its CX-5 crossover SUV just last year. Notable improvements include a more comfortable ride quality, a nicer cabin, and new safety and technology features. Factoring in the traditionally taut steering and suspension, we think the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is one of the best small SUVs available.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near San Antonio, TX

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2018 Mazda CX-5
Touring 4dr SUV
$15,244
great price
$3,184 below market
- 70,551 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (983 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Wesley Chapel, FL
CarFax 1-Owner,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Heated Seats,Keyless Start,Lane Keeping Assist,Navigation System,Premium Sound...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (25 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JM3KFACM4J1403736
Stock: J1403736
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2018 Mazda CX-5
Sport 4dr SUV
$14,698
good price
$1,012 below market
- 91,726 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (1,323 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Upgraded Headlights
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Fresno, CA
High Demand,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Keyless Start,Power Door Locks,Brake Assist,Floor Mats,Front Wheel Drive,Gasoline...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (25 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JM3KFABM8J1421495
Stock: J1421495PX
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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A quiet cabin and refined interior don't detract from this SUV's reputation as a driver's vehicle either. About the only thing that diminishes its appeal is a lack of an engine upgrade. Although performance is on par with the base engines on competing models, there's nothing more powerful available. Rival compact crossovers such as the Chevrolet Equinox and the Kia Sportage offer strong turbocharged engines if you're after something with more oomph, and competitors such as the Honda CR-V have a bit more interior room and better fuel economy.

But overall we like the 2018 Mazda CX-5 for its excellent balance of sportiness, comfort and practicality. The exterior design is sleek and modern, and while not overly generous inside, the interior offers a competitive amount of room for people and cargo. The upscale interior materials, along with a host of standard tech and convenience features, convey the sense of a vehicle that should cost quite a bit more than it does. It's a top pick for a small crossover in 2018.

Notably, we picked the 2018 Mazda CX-5 as one of Edmunds' Best Family SUVs and Best Small SUVs for 2018.

What's it like to live with?

Want to know even more about the Mazda CX-5? Learn about day-to-day ownership from our editorial experts' long-term test of a 2018 CX-5 Grand Touring. How much did they like the CX-5's quiet and upscale interior? Was the cargo room sufficient for everyday use? And was this CX-5 reliable? Learn this and more from the test.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.1 / 10

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 is one of the best small crossovers available. It has a refined and upscale nature, plenty of technology and safety features, and excellent utility. Shoppers in the market for an affordable compact SUV that provides good value and is fun to drive should check out the Mazda CX-5.

Scorecard

Overall	8.1 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.0

Driving

8.0

Mazda's penchant for handling prowess is alive and well. If your commute involves many twists or turns, you might not consider any other crossover. Just don't expect to get anywhere fast; the engine's thrust is ultimately meek when you really push it. Otherwise, it's an easy vehicle to live with.

Acceleration

6.5

The 2.5-liter provides underwhelming acceleration from a stop or while moving. Overtaking on the highway requires some planning. A sprint from zero to 60 mph on our test track took 8.7 seconds, quick against rivals with similar engines. However, many vehicles in this class offer upgraded engines.

Braking

7.5

It's easy to come to a smooth stop with the moderate pedal firmness and predictable brake effort. It took 121 feet to stop from 60 mph, an average stopping distance in this class.

Steering

9.0

Steering is weighted a bit heavier than in most crossovers, reflecting the sporting intentions. It's never difficult to turn, however, and parking lot maneuvers are executed with ease. A slight buildup of effort at higher speeds helps you know exactly where the wheels are pointed.

Handling

10.0

This is where this SUV excels. Since it's sharp and communicative, you can take corners at speeds greater than rivals without squealing tires or feeling as if you're out of control. The car is unfazed by quick left-to-right transitions. This is the best-handling small crossover. No doubt about it.

Drivability

7.5

The automatic transmission doesn't immediately jump into the highest gear possible under moderate acceleration, which helps with everyday drivability. It's reluctant to downshift, waiting until you really give it the beans. In Sport mode, the transmission hangs onto gears until you totally back off the gas.

Comfort

8.0

Most people will find the comfortable cabin to be quite pleasant. Noise levels are low, and the climate control system excels. A few minor annoyances — a ride that's firm and a rear bench with little thigh support — keep it from being the ultimate passenger-friendly vehicle.

Seat comfort

7.5

The front seats are shaped well and envelop the body comfortably, though the side bolsters squish to the side during hard cornering. The rear bench is flat on the bottom, which might make long-distance travel uncomfortable for rear passengers. However, the rear seatback reclines for added comfort.

Ride comfort

7.5

The suspension setup that makes the CX-5 a world-class handler also gives it a ride quality that is firmer than what you'll find in other compact crossovers. However, midcorner bumps barely faze the chassis, and it never feels floaty. Road imperfections are dealt with immediately.

Noise & vibration

8.0

Noise isn't an omnipresent issue; wind noise and tire noise are really only evident at highway speeds. Even then, you won't have to raise your voice to talk to passengers. Engine noise is apparent from moderate to heavy acceleration. Sport mode hangs onto gears, prolonging the raucous note.

Climate control

8.5

The automatic climate control system works well to keep temperatures constant, aided by the Touring's rear air vents. Heated front seats are toasty in the highest setting, and the heated steering wheel warms quickly. Controls for the rear seat heaters are awkwardly located in the armrest.

Interior

8.0

The cabin is very much driver-oriented, with excellent visibility and a superb driving position. The short center console and wide gap between the brake and dead pedals are a boon for tall drivers. It's slightly less friendly to backseat passengers since there's less room than in some rivals.

Ease of use

8.5

All controls are within the driver's reach. The center display loses touchscreen ability while the car is moving (it's controlled by an easy-to-use knob near the shifter) and doesn't wash out in sunlight. The driver armrests aren't tall enough to rest your elbow and still grip the steering wheel.

Getting in/getting out

7.5

Step-in height is a couple inches taller than that of some vehicles in this segment, but most people will find it easy to enter the CX-5. The tall doors mean you don't have to duck. Exiting is also simple, but passengers sitting behind tall front occupants might have to scrunch their legs to leave.

Driving position

9.0

The driver's seat offers a lot of vertical adjustment, from low-slung (for a crossover) to bury-your-head-in-the-roof. The front of the seat bottom raises fairly high, offering plenty of support on long-distance drives. The steering wheel also offers a nice range of tilt-and-telescoping adjustment.

Roominess

7.0

The cabin feels spacious up front, and there's enough headroom for tall folks all around even with the sunroof. Rear passengers might feel cramped by the sculpted outboard seats, which also make it difficult for an adult to sit in the middle. Rear legroom is a little tight.

Visibility

8.0

An elevated driving position, tall windows and narrow pillars make this an easy car to see out of. The exception is in the three-quarters view; the window is a bit smaller than those of competitors but provides a decent view to limit blind spots. Standard backup camera provides a high-def rear view.

Quality

9.5

There's not a single cheap-feeling trim piece in the CX-5. All materials, from the leather upholstery to rarely used switchgear, feel expensive. The only disappointments are the malleable side bolsters that rub against the center console in turns. Everything else is exceptional.

Utility

8.5

The cargo area is a little small for the class, but you still get the capacity expected from a crossover. The rear seats fold nearly flat at a pull of the remote release latches. The cargo cover is cleverly attached to the hatch, so you don't have to bend over and shove items in. Seats fold 40/20/40.

Small-item storage

9.0

Storage spaces abound, with every door sporting spacious pockets with water bottle cutouts. The center bin is deep but not especially wide, though there's a secondary bin in front of the shifter for extra storage. There's a shallow tray inside the rear armrest complete with USB ports.

Cargo space

8.0

The cargo area is a bit smaller those of competitors, but we were able to fit two large suitcases without impeding rear visibility. The loading height is a little taller than many in this class, and the door opening height is a little shorter. We dig the nifty retracting door-mounted cargo cover.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

Four slots on the outboard seats allow access to the LATCH anchors. It's easy to push past the slots, but the anchors are inset a bit. The tethers on the seatback are easy to reach, even with the cargo cover in place; push down on the plastic tab that keeps stuff concealed to access the tether.

Towing

7.5

The CX-5 can tow up to 2,000 pounds. This is above average for the segment, although the Ford Escape and Hyundai Santa Fe can tow up to 3,500 pounds with their upgraded engines.

Technology

8.0

The CX-5 is a heavy hitter on the tech front, with USB ports sprinkled throughout the cabin, multiple advanced safety systems, and a standard 7-inch touchscreen with an intuitive user interface. The driver aids are fairly sensitive, particularly the blind-spot monitor.

Audio & navigation

8.5

The infotainment system is easy to use overall, though some virtual button iconography is hard to decipher. The nav system predicts inputs so users don't have to enter the entire address. Destination entry is disabled while moving, but you can select "Home" or browse through recent destinations.

Smartphone integration

7.5

There are two USB ports in the front and two in the back on the Grand Touring trim, both underneath that row's central armrest. The plugs in front seem to pull less power than in rivals; it takes quite a while to recharge phones. Mazda doesn't offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto yet.

Driver aids

8.0

All of the latest advanced safety features are available. The lane departure warning system emits a unique low-pitched buzzing sound that really gets your attention. The blind-spot monitor is overly sensitive, even triggering while you're passing vehicles several car lengths behind.

Voice control

8.0

The voice control system seems to be totally based around natural speech recognition, with no prompts whatsoever. It's good at destination entry, calling people and tuning to terrestrial radio stations. (We couldn't get it to tune to a satellite radio station, however.)

Compare 2018 Mazda CX-5 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Mazda CX-5 models

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 crossover is offered in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. All models have front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available as an option. The sole engine choice is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (187 hp, 186 lb-ft of torque), which is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment for every CX-5 includes 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, a 40/20/40-split rear seats (fold and recline), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a four-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, a four-speaker stereo and two USB ports. Low-speed forward collision warning and mitigation and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert are also included.

The available Sport i-Activsense package adds such features as automatic high-beams, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, upgraded forward collision warning and mitigation, and automatic windshield wipers.

The Touring trim adds a healthy dose of comfort items that most buyers will find appealing, such as 19-inch wheels, keyless ignition and entry, heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver seat, two additional speakers and two more USB ports. It also gets the i-Activsense suite of safety features as standard. The optional Touring Preferred package adds such items as navigation, an upgraded 10-speaker Bose sound system, a sunroof and a power liftgate.

The Grand Touring gets you all of the above, along with leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings, a power-adjustable passenger seat, satellite radio, and LED foglights and taillights. The available Grand Touring Premium package includes a head-up display with traffic sign recognition, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats and windshield wiper de-icer.

Trim Tested Module

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring (2.5L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Mazda CX-5 has received some revisions. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's 2018 Mazda CX-5, however.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.74 per gallon for regular unleaded in Texas.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

$124/mo

$155/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#4 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda CX-5 from 2008-2022.}

$402/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.72x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

8.1%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Mazda CX-5 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

110 reviews

5(66%)

4(22%)

3(5%)

2(3%)

1(4%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

UPDATE. Sweet ! Almost perfect

TgR, 12/23/2017

2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

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 …

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)

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 …

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)

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 …

Acceleration Hesitation & Nervous Transmission

DDD, 07/19/2019

2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

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).

See all 110 reviews of the Mazda CX-5

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2018 Mazda CX-5 videos

Mazda CX-5 vs. Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4 Comparison Test

Edmunds editors Mark Takahashi, Josh Sadlier and Will Kaufman do a back-to-back-to-back comparison of the two highest-rated small crossovers: the 2017 Honda CR-V and the 2018 Mazda CX-5. Also added into the mix is the best-selling 2018 Toyota RAV4, which is due to be replaced by an all-new model later this year. We put these versatile vehicles through their paces to see…

2018 CX-5 Highlights

Trim:

Sport

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$124/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the CX-5 models:

Smart Brake Support: Sounds an alert and applies the brakes when it detects the risk of an imminent front crash.
Lane Keeping Assist: Provides gentle steering guidance to prevent you from inadvertently drifting out of your lane.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Alerts the driver to vehicles approaching from the rear when, say, reversing from a parking stall.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover17.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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