2021 Mazda CX-5 Review

The elevated ride height and superior passenger and cargo room of small SUVs make them far more sensible than the typical small sedan. The downside is that sensible isn't normally sexy, but that's where the 2021 Mazda CX-5 comes in. This SUV boasts sleek styling and impressive handling abilities to match. It also has a top-notch interior and a strong optional turbocharged engine that wouldn't seem out of place in a BMW. These traits have helped the CX-5 earn a place near the top of our rankings of the best small SUVs.

The CX-5 receives a few notable upgrades for 2021. The central display screen is larger than last year's and is outfitted with Mazda's newest infotainment interface. It loses touchscreen functionality, but the increased width makes the layout look less cluttered than before. There's also a new Carbon Edition trim that's available with or without the turbocharged engine. If you want the extra thrust but don't need the luxury features that come in the pricier trims, the Carbon Edition is the least expensive way to get the upgraded engine. So is the CX-5 the best small SUV for you? Check out our Expert Rating to read more of our in-depth evaluation of this year's CX-5.

What's it like to live with?

Want to know even more about the Mazda CX-5? Learn about the day-to-day ownership on our long-term test of the 2018 CX-5. Was the cargo room sufficient for everyday use? Was it reliable? See what we liked and disliked about this fun and stylish SUV after driving it for a year. Note that the 2020 CX-5 differs slightly from the 2018 model, which did not have the optional turbocharged engine and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay that became available in 2019 or the revised infotainment system that debuts this year. Our coverage is otherwise applicable.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is a small SUV sold in seven trim levels: Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Carbon Edition Turbo, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature. Feature highlights for each include: