2022 Mazda CX-5 review
Mazda CX-5 highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Powerful turbo engine and sharp handling
- Refined and luxurious interior
- Sporty and elegant exterior styling
Cons
- Limited space for passengers and cargo
- A stiffer ride quality than rivals
- Base engine is merely adequate
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 27 highway, 24 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Attractiveness and athleticism define the 2022 Mazda CX-5
Just because you’ve grown up and gained responsibilities doesn’t mean you have to give up on fun when it comes to a family SUV. Mazda, the carmaker that brought us the delightfully playful Miata, infused some of that spirit in its compact SUV: the 2022 CX-5. It’s larger than the subcompact Mazda CX-30 and smaller than the midsize three-row CX-9, making it a strong choice for small families.
For 2022, the CX-5 underwent a refresh, with subtle exterior styling updates, some tweaks to the suspension and engine for slightly improved performance, and revised trim-level content. More significantly, every CX-5 now gets all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
In a class of compact SUVs that concentrate on practicality, the CX-5 is a standout for its powerful turbo engine and sharp handling, as well as its luxury-adjacent interior. It’s a sporty alternative to the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4, but you’ll have to sacrifice some interior space and ride comfort in return.
All Mazda CX-5 years
What is new for the 2022 Mazda CX-5?
- The CX-5 is available in a variety of new trims, including the 2.5 S, 2.5 S Preferred Package, 2.5 S Premium Package, 2.5 S Premium Plus Package, 2.5 S Select Package, 2.5 Turbo Signature, and Turbo.
- The Carbon Edition Turbo, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Signature, Sport, and Touring trims have been discontinued for 2022.
- CX-5 trims have been upgraded with Tow Hitch, Android Auto, and Auxiliary Audio Input as standard equipment this year.
2022 Mazda CX-5 trims
Carbon Edition Turbo:
- No significant upgrades found on the Carbon Edition Turbo
- View our Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo inventory
Carbon Edition:
- Includes all features available on the Carbon Edition Turbo
- 187-hp, 186-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
- Overhead Airbags
- Sunroofs
- Side Airbags
- Automated Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leather Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- View our Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition inventory
2.5 S:
- Includes all features available on the Carbon Edition
- Cloth Seats
- Rear Defroster
- View our Mazda CX-5 2.5 S inventory
2.5 S Select Package:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5 S
- Power Seats
- Leatherette & Cloth
- View our Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Select Package inventory
2.5 S Preferred Package:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5 S Select Package
- Memory Seats
- View our Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Preferred Package inventory
2.5 S Premium Package:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5 S Preferred Package
- Satellite Radio Ready
- BOSE Sound System
- View our Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Package inventory
2.5 S Premium Plus Package:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5 S Premium Package
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Head Up Display
- Rear Seat Heaters
- A/C Seats
- Tow Hitch
- View our Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus Package inventory
Turbo:
- Includes all features available on the 2.5 S Premium Plus Package
- 227-hp, 310-lb-ft of torque 2.5L
- Turbo Charged Engine
- View our Mazda CX-5 Turbo inventory
2.5 Turbo Signature:
- Includes all features available on the Turbo
- Parking Sensors
- Navigation System
- View our Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature inventory
Mazda CX-5 photos
5 reasons to buy the 2022 Mazda CX-5
What We Like
Powerful turbo engine and sharp handling: With up to 256 horsepower from the available turbocharged engine, the CX-5 is one of the more powerful SUVs in its class. It reaches 60 mph in a quick 6.6 seconds, while the base engine trails by about 2 seconds, according to Edmunds' testing. The CX-5 also handles turns and curves with more sporting verve than other compact SUVs, so if you’re bored with the status quo, this Mazda could be the sporty alternative you’ve been looking for.
Refined and luxurious interior: Despite being priced similarly to other SUVs in the class, the Mazda CX-5 delivers a surprising level of luxury. The interior is attractively styled, with a simple and more conventional dashboard than some rivals offer. The quality of materials is also noticeably better than what you’d get from the competition and can even be compared to some entry-level luxury brands.
Sporty and elegant exterior styling: The Mazda CX-5 expertly blends understated elegance with extroverted attractiveness, resulting in an SUV that is simply gorgeous. The sculpted bodywork has sinuous curves that all work in harmony, and the front is accentuated by a distinctive grille and well-integrated headlights. As beautiful as its appearance is, its longevity is equally impressive. The styling has aged quite well and we expect it to remain a standout for many years to come.
What Needs Improvement
Limited space for passengers and cargo: The CX-5 may have performance and style in the bag, but as with any vehicle, it’s not perfect. It’s not as practical as some rivals, with slightly less rear passenger space and a rather limited cargo capacity. You can only fit 30.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats. That’s about 20% less capacity than the Toyota RAV4 and almost 30% less than the Honda CR-V.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Mazda CX-5 an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Mazda CX-5 4th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Mazda CX-5Mazda CX-5 features and specs
Carbon Edition 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Traction Control
- BOSE Sound System
- Navigation System
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.5L
Horsepower
187
Torque (ft-lbs)
186
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
15.3
Wheelbase
106.2"
Overall length
180.1"
Width
72.6"
Height
65.3"
Leg room
F 41"/R 39.6"
Head room
F 39.3"/R 39"
Front tires
P225/55VR19
Rear tires
P225/55VR19
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
200/2000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2022 Mazda CX-5 FAQ
The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Carbon Edition : 24 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- 2.5 S Preferred Package : 24 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- 2.5 S Premium Plus Package : 24 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- Turbo : 22 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- 2.5 S Select Package : 24 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- 2.5 S : 24 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- 2.5 S Premium Package : 24 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- 2.5 Turbo Signature : 22 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
The Mazda CX-5 received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Mazda CX-5 as 3 out of 32 among Midsize SUV
The 2022 Mazda CX-5 has received an average 4.3 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2022 Mazda CX-5, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2022 Mazda CX-5 Reviews.
The 2022 Mazda CX-5 has a maximum towing capacity of 2000 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2022 Mazda CX-5:
- 2.5 S
- 2.5 S Preferred Package
- 2.5 S Premium Package
- 2.5 S Premium Plus Package
- 2.5 S Select Package
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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