OVERVIEW
MAZDA CX-5
Like its competitors in the small crossover SUV segment, the CX-5 offers plenty of versatility, high fuel economy and good value for money. But the CX-5 is also enjoyable to drive, displaying not just good handling but a level of engagement that many other automakers simply cannot achieve, no matter how hard they try. Most of the SUVs in this segment offer good utility, but the high fun-to-drive factor could well give the CX-5 an edge if you want something a little extra from your next small crossover. Discover the ins and outs on used Mazda CX-5s, available now in go buy used cars’s inventory.
NOTEWORTHY FEATURES
SHARP OVERALL STYLING
The CX-5 has been one of Mazda’s best selling vehicles over the years, as it has earned a reputation as very solid all-round crossover vehicle. Both inside and out, the CX-5 boasts impressive styling. The cabin area, in particular, stands out, as it is attractive and functional with a modern feel.
ENGAGING DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Compared to other vehicles in its segment, the CX-5 is an improvement when it comes to the driving experience it offers. The CX-5’s braking, suspension, and steering systems contribute to make it an enjoyable car to drive.
GREAT FUEL ECONOMY
The four-cylinder engine on the CX-5 isn’t a thirsty one, as the EPA estimated fuel economy is 29 mpg combined for both the front-wheel drive and manual transmission versions of the vehicle. With all-wheel drive, the estimate drops slightly to 28 mpg combined (25 mpg city/31 mpg highway).
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
STEREO QUALITY
Everyone loves a good car concert from time to time, but if you’re looking to rock out on your way to work or on a long road trip, there may be other options better suited for you than the CX-5. The stock stereo system that comes with the CX-5 is just OK, and has a touchscreen interface that won’t do much to excite.
ACCELERATION
On paper, the CX-5’s base engine is competitive in the acceleration category, but when it comes to testing it out in the real word, it’s a step behind rivals in its segment. While the power is there, the available 2.5-liter four cylinder engine is a superior choice.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Like the stock stereo that comes with the CX-5, the optional navigation system that’s available is similarly mediocre. When it comes to stacking up amongst its competitors, the CX-5’s interface is slower, less intuitive, and features less impressive graphics.
MAZDA CX-5
Top 10 Reasons to Get a MAZDA CX-5
10. Many Trim Options
With the CX-5, Mazda is giving its customers a choice of how many features they’d like to have included in their vehicles. The Sport is the base model, and it’s followed closely by the Touring in what it offers. The Grand Touring comes with a little more luxury. At the top end of the spectrum are the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims. These not only have many more amenities but also run on a different engine.
9. Plenty of Horsepower
The standard engine under the hood of a 2020 Mazda CX-5 is a 2.5-liter, SKYACTIV-G model. It has four cylinders and 16 valves. Since it’s capable of generating 187 horsepower, it has some zip, and torque is 186 pound-feet.
An enhanced engine is found on the Signature and Grand Touring Reserve Mazdas. This engine is the same size as the other one, with a displacement of around 2.5 liters, but it’s a turbo version that can output 250 horsepower. Torque is even higher, at 320 pound-feet.
8. Solid Fuel Efficiency
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 can achieve up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway. City mileage is pretty respectable as well, at an estimated 25 miles per gallon. These numbers are for the lower three trims with front-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive option drops each stat slightly by only about one mile per gallon. On the top two trims, estimated city/highway mileage is 22/27 miles per gallon.
7. Responsive Shifting
Mazda has paired both of its engines with a SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. Drivers can engage in Sport Mode when they want to have a quicker response. There is also a manual shift mode that can be fun to use when one prefers to have more control over shifting. Otherwise, things are smooth when letting the vehicle do all the work.
6. Many Standard Safety Features
What the company has done so well in recent years is to build its cars and SUVs with advanced safety mechanisms. Since the industry does have the capability to do this, it makes perfect sense as to why Mazda would want all of its customers to be protected by driver-assist technology.
Safety features include smart city brake support that can hit the brakes if it detects pedestrians or another car in its path as well as blind-spot monitoring. High beam control is automatic, so this eliminates the need to manually switch between high and low beams on a country road with minimal traffic. With the advanced cruise control system, drivers can set up their Mazdas to maintain a certain distance from the car in front of them. The cruise control system can even bring the car to a stop if traffic is very busy or something unexpected happens on the road.
5. Easy-to-Use Back Seat
In SUVs, the rear area is more than just a place to hold passengers. In the 2020 Mazda CX-5, the back seat is configured as a 40/20/40 bench so people can decide whether they want one, two, or all three seats up or folded down. The rear seatbacks can recline to make it more comfortable for passengers, and the seats can be folded down in a second with just one touch of a button.
4. High-End Touches
Little elements like leather-wrapped gear shifters and steering wheels add to the overall ambiance in the cabin. These leather elements are standard on the CX-5. For seating, leatherette is used on the Touring, and leather is used on the higher trims. The top two trims have heated and ventilated front seats in addition to heated rear seats and a steering wheel with a heating element. This makes it easy to set things up just right according to one’s preferences.
3. Convenient Access
The Sport trim of the CX-5 comes with a remote keyless entry system, along with push-button start. This means that people no longer have to dig around for their keys and pull them in and out of pockets and bags every time they start the engine. It only takes one jump up to the Touring level to start seeing Mazda’s Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System. With this system, the key fob just has to be within several feet of the vehicle in order for the doors to automatically unlock and lock when somebody touches the door handle. The system works similarly if the SUV is equipped with a power liftgate.
2. Large Touchscreen
For a vehicle that’s not technically a luxury model, it’s nice to have a sizable touchscreen included on all trims. The lower trims use a seven-inch touchscreen, which gets increased in size to eight inches on the pair of trims at the top end. The screens have bright and vivid colors and are easy to read, and Mazda has carefully calibrated the screens to have good sensitivity.
1. Available All-Wheel Drive
Mazda has made AWD available on all of its trims, which is a contrast to some other companies that have excluded base models from having this benefit. In case of difficult conditions, the CX-5s can come with Off-Road Traction Assist to boost each tire’s ability to effectively grip the terrain.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Mazda CX-5 – The Cons
1. Not That Much Cargo Space
When most people think of an SUV, they expect to have ample cargo space to fit all types of items. In the 2020 Mazda CX-5, it might be a tight fit. Behind the second row of seats is 30.9 cubic feet, and there is a maximum of 59.6 cubic feet of storage when the back seats are lowered. This is great compared to many sedans, but it does fall short when looking at SUVs as a whole.
2. Top Two Trims Limited to AWD
The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims only come with all-wheel drive. This is likely to be great news for some, but not all. There are many customers out there who just don’t need to have all-wheel drive. Those who live in warm climates and/or urban areas may not ever need to utilize all-wheel drive, but the way these trims are configured forces them to have it.
3. More Powerful Engine Costs More
As mentioned before, the top two trims of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 run on a more powerful 250-horsepower turbo engine. This enhanced capability comes with a significant price jump. There’s no way to detach the better engine from the other benefits that come with the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models; it’s a package deal.
4. Base Model Doesn’t Have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
A major detraction from the Sport CX-5 is that it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. One can still use a smartphone in the car through the Bluetooth connection, but it’s not quite the same as having that seamless integration that so many people have become accustomed to. Note that voice commands, HD Radio, and SMS text message support are standard across all trims.
How it Stacks Up to the Competition:
The compact SUV market is packed with options. For a vehicle like the 2020 Mazda CX-5, having competition is a good thing because it shows consumers just how smart of an option it is. The 2020 Mazda CX-5, even with the base engine, has more horsepower than the comparable Hyundai Tucson. In terms of stylings, the CX-5 feels more modern than a solid competitor – the Honda CR-V. This is thanks in part to its simple elegance inside the cabin and more curvy exterior.
Conclusion
If anyone is searching for a reliable SUV that’s not too big but still feels strong and capabl, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 should be something that he or she will want to consider. It has everything it takes to be a contender in the market: a reasonable starting price, an upscale interior, versatility with cargo space, and available all-wheel drive. Plus, its engine is powerful, and the company has given its customers two options to think about.