2021 Mazda CX-5 review

1. An engine that purrs

Under-the-hood power on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is nothing to shrug at. Standard on the Sport and Touring trims is a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that packs 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Upgrade to the Signature, Carbon Edition, or Grand Touring trims to bump the power up to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Whether you're looking to add a roof or bike rack or hitch a small camper, the CX-5 has you covered.

2. A top repairable model

Down-the-line repair costs are not the same for every vehicle. And with an overall RepairPal reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 ranks 1st out of 30 among midsize SUVs.

 That means that while annual repairs on a midsize SUV will cost you $521 on average ($619 for all vehicles), you're looking at a rough average of $388 per year for the 2021 CX-5, according to RepairPal. In large part that's because CX-5 owners make unscheduled repairs half as often as the average car owner.

3. A rugged cruiser

With the standard 2.5L engine and 2WD, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg fuel economy in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

 The CX-5 comes standard with 2WD, but all trims offer 4WD upgrades. With room for five, a 14.8L gas tank, and 40 inches of legroom on average, you can easily and comfortably carpool the kids to school and take weekend trips to the country—all without draining the tank.

4. Seven great trims

The standard Sport trim of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 has a bevy of features typically found on higher-end trims only. These include blind spot monitoring, cruise control, lane departure warning and a rearview camera. Upgrade to the Touring trim for plush leatherette and cloth seats fitted with power adjusters and heaters. One more step up to the Grand Touring trim gets you seats with memory and real leather, and satellite radio.

5. Plenty of available features

In addition to a tow hitch, available features on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 make it a great choice for a midsize SUV. If you love road trips and the outdoors, a full roof rack can support all the gear you need, from tents to bikes and fishing poles. Inside, you can shop for a model with a Bose^® sound system for a true audio experience. On the road, you can enjoy a deck-lid sunroof, power hatch, and parking sensors.