Mazda CX-5
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Expert Review
CX-5 Akera
It's one of Australia's most popular small SUVs. It's also one of the most powerful cars in its class. Cameron tests to see if the refreshed 2022 version of the CX-5 is still deserving of its popularity.
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Great car but not perfect
CX-5 KE.I (2012-2014)Our Mazda CX-5 is a GT, top of the line when we purchased it in 2012. It is used for everyday commuting to and from work or shops. It has also done lots of long distance driving between Southeast Queensland, Sydney and Southern NSW. Overall, the CX-5 drives really well, is really fuel efficient and comfortable. The CX-5 is designed really well, thought was given to the rear cargo cover being retractable and being easily removed. The seating position is great, which makes it comfortable for long drives, and heated seats which is nice for the low
... Read moreer back. Servicing has been reasonable throughout the 11 years of ownership and Mazda has always let us know of any mechanical concerns that we might want attended to, without being overly pushy. The only negative feedback I have is that there were a couple of parts that failed outside of manufacturer warranty that Mazda were aware could fail, and we had to pay for those replacements. Some of the plastic trimming in the CX-5 has warped over time, despite the car being garaged and us always using a sun shield when parked, and the car just was not designed with thought of a child seat in mind as the front passenger has to have their knee just about touching the dashboard to ensure the baby/child seat fits correctly and with enough room. Otherwise, the Mazda CX-5 is a great vehicle that serves its purpose very well.Purchased in at Mazda Dealers for $60,000.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2012
Overrated
CX-5 KF Maxx FWD, 2.0L Petrol, Automatic (2017-2023)Ride is harsh my Bt 50 is better. sat nav is complex to be kind takes to long to put in can't beat a touch screen
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2023
Close to Perfect
CX-5 KE.II (2015-2016)2.0 litre 6 speed manual has done over 130,000 kms with little to no issues at all, very reliable, power is not a problem driving around the city and the 6 speed gearbox is great on the country roads, mechanic loves my petrol power car and after each service there are no problems.
Purchased in for $30,000.
- Transmission: Manual
- Bought: New
- Year: 2015
this is a crap car
CX-5 KE.I (2012-2014)this car is full of crap never buy Mazda one of the worst buy ever in my life always breakdown in 100 km such is piece of crap hit
Purchased in for $15,000.
- Transmission: Semi-Automatic
- Bought: Used
- Year: 2014
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Amazing suv
CX-5 KF Akera AWD, 2.5L Turbo Petrol (2018-2023)Have a 2023 model, the build is very good, interior feel moat premium than other japanese make. Good power from 2.5T but it’s a drinker, suspension tune is so impressive.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
Practical SUV while still being fun to drive
CX-5 KF Maxx Sport FWD, 2.0L Petrol (2015-2023)Recently purchased my CX-5 Maxx Sport, after test driving 3 other popular medium SUVS. I found the CX-5 to have the best designed interior, best build quality, and to be the nicest to drive. My commute to work is 85kms each way and the CX-5 eats up the hwy and is nice to drive around town, I’m getting great fuel economy, it varies between 6.4-7l/100kms, while being comfortable, quiet and refined on the hwy. The thing I preferred most with the CX-5 over the competition is that it has a 6 speed auto rather than a CVT. I much prefer a regular auto transmission. I’m very impressed with it so far.
Purchased in .
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: Used
- Year: 2021
Good quality vehicle, terrible infotainment system
CX-5 KF Akera AWD, 2.5L Petrol (2017-2023)Disappointed with terrible infotainment system, old school not touch screen
- Bought: New
Excellent car
CX-5 KF Akera AWD, 2.5L Turbo Petrol (2018-2023)Cornering is so direct....the turbo has that extra uuump for country roads..thevAWD has dragged us out of a ditch a 2 wd would fail...quiet little vibration except rough bitumen...you get used to know for tech,.though with andriod auto plug and talk...it is a lutttoo thirsty in city driving notbso country cruising...comfortable seats...
Purchased in for $45,000.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2022
Japanese precision engineering
CX-5 KF Touring AWD, 2.5L Petrol (2017-2023)Have had the car since January 2020 (just before COVID struck)
The CX-5 has performed exceptionally well with no issues at all in the 3 years of ownership
Good points:
1 Rdes quite well on 17" wheels which are happy to bump into kerbs with no scrapes!
2 It is quiet (with no rattles or squeaks)
3 It has really good build quality
4. The interior feels quite upmarket
5. It handles very well considering the high centre of gravity
6. Car is good for towing a trailer, if a bit slow - reverse camera is great to line the trailer up.
7. We have been on a few long trips in the car and find it is great for long trips as the adaptive cruise control works very well.
Purchased in for $39,000.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2019
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Love it
CX-5 KF Akera AWD, 2.5L Turbo Petrol (2018-2023)We bought August 2022 cx5 petrol turbo akera. Bought to have the safety of surround cameras, have the open road truck passing go of a turbo ( last car 2.5l mazda6), have the awd to go off on dirt roads, under clearance to use dirt roads. 3 weeks into ownership reversed into ditch outside Jindabyne, left front wheel basically off the dirt...selected off road and the traction control on 3 wheels drove dar out of ditch ( in mazda6 a tow job). Turbo has good power. Akera is very quiet abd smooth. City fuel economy about 15l a 100k, whereas open road about 7l a 100klm
Purchased in at Forty Winks NSW, Hornsby for $56,000.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2022
Average
CX-5 KF Akera AWD, 2.5L Petrol (2017-2023)We got the bottom of the range model, and it's a bit average. The engine is the smaller option and sounds like a sewing machine when revved up, and is very weak; very poor option. We are in Cairns and so appreciate the air-con; no vents in the back. The rest of it is fine.
Purchased in .
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
Not as promised!
CX-5 KF GT AWD, 2.5L Petrol (2017-2023)Mazda promised 5 years free service but this is not true. It was actually 5 times free service. In fact, for one of my brake problem they did it as part of the service where I lost one of the service privilege. Further they would send emails or texts every six months saying your service is due but that was not the case. If you do it every six months then your 5 services will end in 2 and half years. I had to pay for my fifth one ($350+) because, as I said above, they have used one service for a brake service which is a warranty problem. When I
... Read moredisputed about this, the receptionist at the Liverpool NSW car service was rude and nonchalant. I stopped sending my car to them. They did not specific it was five free service when I bought the car but said it was 5 years free service. This is unfair!Purchased in at Liverpool for $35,500.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2021
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Superb car.
CX-5 KF Akera AWD, 2.5L Petrol (2017-2023)On a whim, I took a 2020 Akera for a test drive and was so impressed, I bought it then and there on the spot. The car is so nice to drive. It is smooth and handles really well. It has enough zoom-zoom to get around town and also out on the highway. It does have a bit of body roll going around corners but I think that's to be expected with an SUV which has a higher centre of gravity.
The ventilated seats were a very welcome addition when we moved to the top-end of Western Australia where the temperatures barely drop below 30 degrees year round.
... Read more The sound system is great but using the knob to control the head unit took a bit of getting used to and it can be a bit fiddly at times. My only complaint is that I found the drivers seat to be supremely uncomfortable. I have managed to find a position which isn't so bad but I can't drive the car for long periods of time as the bolster digs into the side of my leg and becomes very uncomfortable after a while. My husband has no problems with the seat though.Purchased in at Albany City Motors for $49,000.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: Used
- Year: 2020
Incredible Luxury without breaking the bank
CX-5 KF Akera AWD, 2.5L Turbo Petrol (2018-2023)Been using this car for 2 years now.
Had always been with Honda cars before. But the first time got into a Mazda, it was a pleasant surprise to see so many luxurious features at this price.
It beats all other Japanese brands with amazing features and the big German brands in value for money.
What I love -
1. It's such fun to drive compared to my previous Hondas and Suzukis. Found my lost love for driving again.
Especially the Turbo charged engine model is superb.
2. Incredible features like the Bose music system, the Nappa interiors, HUD, ven
Purchased in at Mazda Dealers for $49,500.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2020
Almost perfect
CX-5 KF GT AWD, 2.5L Petrol (2017-2023)This car is excellent. I purchased a Mazda CX5 Grand Touring in 2018 and have no regrets. The car is low mileage but still drives like new. The build quality has been great and the service pricing is reasonable.
I would have given 5 stars apart from poor post-sales service. Mazda really needs to invest in its customer experience. If you contact Mazda via email don't expect a response. If you phone them you'll get routed to someone who'll take your message and tell you they'll get someone to call you back. Don't expect a response!
I recently h
... Read moread to pay $220 for a replacement battery that was covered under warranty (a common fault on the CX5) as the earliest date any dealer within 50Km could give me was 2-3 months away. I was planning on upgrading to a CX9 this year but will probably now hold off and buy an electric vehicle next year. To summarize, If you're looking for a great family SUV that is reasonably priced, reliable and of good build quality you won't go wrong with a Mazda CX5. However, in the unlikely instance, you need to contact Mazda (or a dealer) for help Good luck!Purchased in at Mazda Dealers for $47,000.
- Transmission: Automatic
- Bought: New
- Year: 2018
Questions & Answers
The Akera model, which front Brake calipers does it have, Sumitomo Calipers or Akebono Calipers?
Front seat headrests are not adjustable except for up and down. This means my wife who is smaller than I has her head uncomfortably pushed forward or just can't use the head rest. A very poor design. The rest of the car is fantastic itself tho.
I own a 2023 CX5 and from day one I have problems with the navigation direction(s) not showing in HUD or only part of the time. I have been back to the dealer 3 times and they have updated the maps but that did not fix the problem. Has any of you the same problem? This is my 4th CX5 but have this problem only in this model
Thanks, Hans
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Details
| Category | Midsize / Medium SUVs | Midsize / Medium SUVs | Midsize / Medium SUVs | Midsize / Medium SUVs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $37,240 | $46,540 | ||
| Transmission | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Drive Type | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | All Wheel Drive (AWD) | All Wheel Drive (AWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Alloy | 19" Alloy | 17" Steel |
| ANCAP Safety Rating | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Fuel Consumption | 6.9 L/100km | 7.4 L/100km | 7.4 L/100km | 6.9 L/100km |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 56 L | 58 L | 58 L | 56 L |
| Engine | 4 Cylinder 2.0L | 4 Cylinder 2.5 L | 4 Cylinder 2.5 L | 4 Cylinder 2.0L |
| Max Power | 115kW @ 6000rpm | 140kW @ 6000rpm | 140kW @ 6000rpm | 115kW @ 6000rpm |
| Max Torque | 200Nm @ 4000rpm | 252Nm @ 4000rpm | 252Nm @ 4000rpm | 200Nm @ 4000rpm |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Maximum Towing Capacity (braked) | 1,800 kg | 1,800 kg | 1,800 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Maximum Towing Capacity (unbraked) | 750 kg | 750 kg | 750 kg | 750 kg |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 5 year(s) | 5 year(s) | 5 year(s) | 5 year(s) |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Kerb Weight | 1,565 kg | 1,490 kg | ||
| Ground Clearance | 193 mm | 200 mm | 200 mm | 193 mm |
| Release date | ||||
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