The Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV produced by Mazda since 2012. A successor to both the Tribute and the slightly larger CX-7, it is Mazda's first model to feature the "Kodo" design language and the first model to be fully developed with a range of technologies branded as Skyactiv, including a rigid, lightweight platform combined with a series of engines and transmissions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

Since 2019, the CX-5 is positioned above the smaller CX-30. As of 2022, depending on the region, the CX-5 is positioned right below the larger CX-50, CX-60 or the CX-8 within Mazda's crossover SUV line-up.

The CX-5 has been the worldwide best-selling model offered by the brand every year since 2014, with record sales in 2019 when 444,262 units were sold globally. As of March 2022, cumulative sales of the CX-5 has reached around 3.5 million vehicles.

First generation (KE; 2012)

The Mazda MINAGI (Japanese: マツダ 勢) concept car, unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, was the first Mazda vehicle to combine the company's Kodo design language and Skyactiv technologies. Its design served as a preview of the CX-5.

In rapid development from 2009 to 2011 under Hideaki Tanaka and styled under Masashi Nakayama from 2009 to 2010, the CX-5 was first shown at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Japanese model was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, while a customized variant featuring a red exterior body colour, alloy wheels painted in matte black, and a slightly lower body height was unveiled in 2012 at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

It shares the platform used by the third-generation Mazda3 and the third-generation Mazda6.

The production model went on sale in February 2012, with initial choice of a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine or a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel engine matched to a Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission.

Japanese production of the CX-5 fitted began in January 2012 at the Ujina plant near Mazda's headquarters in Hiroshima. In July 2012, production of the model at Ujina was set to increase to 240,000 units per year by expanding production from Ujina Plant No.2 to Ujina Plant No.1.

At its introduction in 2012, it won the Car of the Year Japan award.

Engine and drivetrain

The CX-5 is available with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, powered by the PE-VPS 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engine capable of 162 bhp (121 kW; 164 PS) and 155 lb⋅ft (210 N⋅m) averaging an estimated 28 mpg_‑imp (10 L/100 km; 23 mpg_‑US) and emitting around 139 g/km of carbon dioxide.

It is also available with the debuting SH-VPTS 2.2-litre two-stage turbocharged diesel engine with either 147 bhp (110 kW; 149 PS) and 280 lb⋅ft (380 N⋅m) or 173 bhp (129 kW; 175 PS) or 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m), emitting an estimated 119 and 139 g/km of CO₂, respectively. Fuel consumption for the entry-level diesel engine with front-wheel drive is 63 mpg_‑imp (4.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg_‑US) on the European NEDC combined cycle.

Markets

Japan

The Japan domestic market CX-5 achieved monthly sales 8 times higher than forecast just after its launch in February 2012, with the Skyactiv-D 2.2 diesel engine marketed as a "clean diesel" accounting for 73 percent of the sales.

Malaysia

The first-generation CX-5 was launched in Malaysia in May 2012 as a fully imported model. At launch, only one trim level was offered, with the 2.0 L Skyactiv-G engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with a choice of FWD or AWD. In June 2013, locally assembled models became available. The fully imported trim was renamed to High Spec, and a new lower trim level, Mid Spec, was launched. The Mid Spec was only available with FWD, while the High Spec continued to be offered with both FWD and AWD. In April 2015, a new base variant, dubbed the GL, was launched.

The first-generation facelift was launched in Malaysia in May 2015. Initially, the facelift version was fully imported and only available with the 2.5 L engine, but again, consumers could choose between FWD or AWD. The locally assembled facelift version was made available in early 2016 with either a 2.0 L Skyactiv-G engine or a 2.5 L Skyactiv-G engine. The 2.0 L engine could be had with only FWD but two trim levels: Mid Spec and High Spec, with Mid Spec being the more affordable of the two. The 2.5 L engine was only available with one trim level, but with either FWD or AWD. In July 2016, a 2.2 L Skyactiv-D powered, FWD, locally assembled variant was launched in Malaysia. It was positioned in between the 2.5 L Skyactiv-G FWD and 2.5 L Skyactiv-G AWD variant.

Australia

The Australian version of the CX-5 was introduced in 2012 and was available in Maxx, Maxx Sport, Grand Touring and Akera trim levels. Initial models were available with either a 2.0 L petrol engine or a diesel engine, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive as options (FWD was only available with a 2.0-equipped CX-5). An automatic transmission was standard on all-wheel drive models, with manual available on the 2.0 Maxx FWD petrol).

Europe

Early European models included a choice of Skyactiv-G 2.0 and Skyactiv-D 2.2 engines.

North America

The CX-5 debuted in the U.S. at the November 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Initially, the only engine available was a direct-injected Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre inline-four petrol engine with 155 bhp (116 kW; 157 PS). It is rated at 26 and 32 mpg_‑US (9.0 and 7.4 L/100 km; 31 and 38 mpg_‑imp) in city and highway with the automatic transmission, which increases to 34 mpg_‑US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg_‑imp) with the manual transmission.

For the 2014 model year, an optional 2.5-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv petrol engine was introduced to address the main criticism of the CX-5, lack of power. It is rated at 184 hp (137 kW; 187 PS) and 185 lb⋅ft (251 N⋅m), with EPA MPG ratings of 25 and 32 mpg_‑US (9.4 and 7.4 L/100 km; 30 and 38 mpg_‑imp) for the front-wheel drive model, decreasing to 24 and 30 mpg_‑US (9.8 and 7.8 L/100 km; 29 and 36 mpg_‑imp) with all-wheel drive. Only the six-speed automatic transmission is available for this engine, which is standard on the Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. The base Sport trim level is still offered with the 2.0 L engine. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are offered for all trim levels.

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 was one of the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year awarded by the Green Car Journal at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

In 2022, Mazda CX-5 was ranked at third place on US News. It has sleek, quiet interior with thought-out details and high-quality materials.

Facelift

The facelifted Mazda CX-5 was unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2016 model. Notable changes include updates to exterior styling, reductions in road noise, an improved infotainment system, and a sport mode for the six-speed automatic transmission. LED headlights, LED fog lights and combination LED tail lights was also offered as for higher grade levels.

In the U.S. and Canada, the update was designated as a 2016.5 model year iteration. The Skyactiv-G 2.5 engine was made standard on all United States trim levels, except the base-level Sport equipped with the six-speed manual transmission and front wheel drive, which retained the 2.0-litre powerplant.

Safety

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2013 CX-5 achieved Good crash test ratings in the Moderate Overlap Front, Side, Roof Strength, and Head Restraint & Seats categories, while achieving only a Marginal rating in the Small Overlap Front crash test. Design changes were subsequently made that brought up the Small Overlap Front rating up to a Good rating.

The small overlap test, introduced in 2012 by the IIHS, simulates a frontal collision on 25 percent of the driver's side front corner. Since its adoption, the IIHS has noticed several automakers making non-symmetrical modifications to their vehicles to improve ratings. Another small overlap test was conducted on a number of vehicles, including a 2015 CX-5, but was conducted on the passenger side instead and earned an acceptable rating. Testing showed substantially more intrusion into the passenger side than into the driver's side of the CX-5.

Second generation (KF; 2017)

The second generation CX-5 was unveiled with an overhauled design and new technologies on November 15, 2016, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The model is available with 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol, 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol and 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel engines. New features include a new 'Soul Red Crystal' paint colour as well as a new remote-controlled powered tailgate.

In November 2018, Mazda added a new turbocharged petrol engine option from the CX-9 for the 2019 model year CX-5. It is a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G turbocharged four-cylinder unit which produces 250 horsepower (190 kW; 250 PS) at 5,000 rpm on 93 AKI octane fuel and 227 hp on 87 AKI. Under U.S. fuel economy standards, Mazda claims the new engine delivers 22, 27 and 24 mpg_‑US (10.7, 8.7 and 9.8 L/100 km; 26, 32 and 29 mpg_‑imp) in city, highway and combined, respectively with AWD, regardless of octane.

Markets

North America

In the U.S., the 2017 CX-5 was offered with front-wheel or all-wheel drive in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trims. The Sport and Touring models came with 17-inch wheels, while the GT had 19-inch wheels. The 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine with VVT was the only choice offered for the 2017 model year.

Mazda announced the availability of a diesel engine for 2017; however, that engine did not arrive in the US until the 2019 model year. However, the diesel engine was only sold for the 2019 model year and was only offered on the top-of-the-line Signature trim level. Mazda cited low consumer demand as well as emissions certification issues.

For the 2018 model year, Mazda added standard cylinder deactivation and made the i-ACTIVSENSE Package available on the Sport trim.

For the 2019 model year, Mazda made available a new turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine and added new Grand Touring Reserve and Signature range-topping trims. A torque vectoring system marketed as G-Vectoring Control Plus was also added on all models.

Changes for the 2020 model year include a new key fob design, an updated font used throughout the vehicle, a new Cylinder Deactivation System status display in the infotainment system. Mazda also made automatic headlights, i-Activsense safety features, and automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard and the Grand Touring trim received paddle shifters. Mazda claimed to have also improved road noise, vibration, and harshness across all trims. The Grand Touring Reserve trim received a new Engine Harmonics Enhancer to simulate engine noise, a new off-road traction assist system, and a new eight-inch infotainment system.

For the 2021 model year, Mazda introduced a new standard 10.25-inch infotainment system with new Mazda Connect Software. A new Touring Preferred SV Package was offered as well as a new Carbon Edition trim, which offered exclusive exterior and interior styling elements. Models equipped with the 2.5 Turbo engine received a new turbo badge. Signature trims received new safety features such as reverse automatic braking and driver attention alert as well as improved clarity for the 360-degree camera.

For 2022, Mazda introduced new 17-inch wheels for the S trim. All models became equipped with standard all-wheel drive and horsepower for the turbo engine was increased from 250 to 256 horsepower (186 to 191 kW; 253 to 260 PS) while using 93 octane fuel. Mazda also revised the naming of trims.

For 2023, Mazda has introduced a new color Rhodium White.

For 2024, the Carbon Edition trim is now available with the turbocharged engine. Models with the naturally aspirated 2.5L engine may lack cylinder deactivation and engine start/stop due to parts supply issues, and have EPA ratings of 23, 29 and 25 mpg_‑US (10.2, 8.1 and 9.4 L/100 km; 28, 35 and 30 mpg_‑imp) city, highway and combined respectively, instead of 26, 31 and 28 mpg_‑US (9.0, 7.6 and 8.4 L/100 km; 31, 37 and 34 mpg_‑imp), approximately a 12% increase in fuel usage.

Mexico

The second generation CX-5 was launched in Mexico in March 2017, with three grades: i, i Sport and Grand Touring. Two engine options were available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol.

In November 2018, the 2.5T Skyactiv-G petrol was introduced in Mexico in the Signature grade.

In January 2022, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in Mexico with variants remained unchanged.

Japan

The second generation CX-5 was released in Japan on 2 February 2017, with eight variants. Three engine options were available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol (20S), a 2.5 Skyactiv-G (25S) petrol and a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel (XD). An all-wheel-drive option was available for the 25S and XD engines.

In October 2018, the 2.5T Skyactiv-G petrol engine (25T) was introduced first in Japan.

In November 2021, the facelifted CX-5 was released in Japan, the facelift saw the (25T) engine discontinued and a few other changes to variants.

Oceania

Australia

The second generation CX-5 was launched in Australia on 31 March 2017, with five grades: Maxx, Maxx Sport, Touring, GT and Akera. Three engine options were available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol, a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel. All grades except the Maxx and Maxx Sport comes with all-wheel-drive as standard.

In November 2018, the 2.5T Skyactiv-G petrol engine was introduced to Australia in the GT and Akera grades.

In February 2021, a sportier GT SP grade was added.

In January 2022, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in Australia, with the number of variants trimmed from 16 to 12. The facelifted range saw the GT grade being discontinued and the addition of a new Active grade.

In October 2022, the manual gearbox option was dropped due to slow sales, that represented only 1% of CX-5 total sales in Australia in H1 2021.

In October 2023, the CX-5 range went petrol-only with diesel engines dropped due to slow sales.

New Zealand

The second generation CX-5 was launched in New Zealand in April 2017, with three grades: GLX, GSX and Limited. Three engine options are available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol, a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel.

In April 2022, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in New Zealand with the addition of a new Activ grade.

South East Asia

Philippines

The second generation CX-5 made its ASEAN debut in the Philippines at the 13th Manila International Auto Show on 30 March 2017, with three variants: 2.0 FWD Pro, 2.5 AWD Sport and 2.2D AWD Sport.

In October 2019, a 2.0 FWD Sport variant was added below the AWD variants.

In February 2020, the 2.2D AWD Signature variant was added as the flagship variant.

In June 2022, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in the Philippines, the facelifted range saw the two diesel variants replaced by the 2.5 AWD Turbo variant and the Pro variants dropped.

Singapore

The second generation CX-5 was launched on 13 July 2017, with four grades: Standard Plus, Premium, Luxury and Super Luxury. Two engine options were available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol.

In August 2022, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in Singapore, with three grades: Elegance, Luxury and Luxury Sports. Only one engine option is available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine.

Indonesia

The second generation CX-5 was launched at the 27th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show on 11 August 2017, with two grades: GT and Elite, it is powered by a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol engine.

In April 2022, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in Indonesia, with two grades: Elite and Kuro Edition.

In November 2023, the CX-5 range was updated which included the Kuro Edition grade received all-wheel-drive as standard.

Malaysia

The second generation Mazda CX-5 was launched in Malaysia in 11 October 2017, with five variants at launch: 2.0 2WD GL, 2.0 2WD GLS, 2.5 2WD GLS, 2.2D 2WD GLS and 2.2D AWD GLS. All CX-5 variants are locally assembled in Inokom plant in the [[Kulum District]], Kedah.

In October 2019, the Mazda CX-5 range was updated, with five variants available on sale. As part of the update, the variants have changed: 2.0 2WD Mid, 2.0 2WD High, 2.5 2WD High, 2.2D 2WD High, and 2.5 Turbo 4WD High.

In January 2024, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in Malaysia with variants remain unchanged.

Thailand

The second generation CX-5 was launched in Thailand on 13 November 2017, fully imported from Malaysia, with five variants at launch: 2.0 C, 2.0 S, 2.0 SP, 2.2 XD and 2.2 XDL. Two engine options are available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel.

In October 2019, a new 2.5 turbo petrol AWD High Plus (SP) variant was added.

In October 2021, the CX-5 range was updated in terms of equipment across all variants. The 2.0 S and 2.2 XD variants were discontinued.

Vietnam

The second generation CX-5 was launched in Vietnam on 18 November 2017 with three variants at launch: 2.0 2WD, 2.5 2WD and 2.5 AWD. Two engine options are available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol. All CX-5 variants are locally assembled at the THACO Auto plant.

In July 2019, the CX-5 range was updated and restructured into four variants: 2.0 Deluxe, 2.0 Luxury, 2.0 Premium and 2.5 Signature Premium.

In July 2023, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in Vietnam and the range was restructured into three grades: Deluxe, Luxury and Premium. The Premium can be specified with two packages: Sport and Exclusive. There was only one engine option: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine. The 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol engine option shortly return to the range in the Signature grade, which can be specified with two packages: Sport and Exclusive.

Europe

The second generation CX-5 made its European debut in May 2017. Two engine options were available at launch: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel. The latter option was available with an all-wheel-drive option.

In November 2022, the 2.0 e-Skyactiv G petrol and 2.2 e-Skyactiv D engines equipped with Mazda's M Hybrid mild hybrid technology was made available for the CX-5 primarily for the European market.

South Africa

The second generation CX-5 was launched in South Africa in 1 June 2017, with four grades: Active, Dynamic, Individual and Akera. Three engine options were available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol, a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel.

In January 2021, the Carbon Edition grade was added to the range powered by a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine.

In March 2022, the facelifted CX-5 debuted in South Africa, with Dynamic manual variant being dropped.

Facelift

In September 2021, Mazda revealed a facelift for the second-generation 2022 CX-5 with updated styling and kit. Highlights include restyled bumpers and tailgate with new headlights and tail lights, larger tailpipes, a new Mi-Drive drive selector control, updated seats, and wireless charging. It is also equipped with a revised suspension. The dampening control structure was improved and frame rigidity was increased, helping to reduce vibrations and road noise.

Sales and production

References

External links

• Official website