Mazda CX-5 KF (2017-2026)
Also referred to as: Mazda CX-5 KF 2025 and Mazda CX-5 KF 2027.106 reviews
Reviewed posted End Oct 2025 This might seem a bit lengthy, but if you are thinking of buying a CX5 it’s the kind of thing you want to know. Compromises often have to made when buying a car, so knowing which ones you are willing to make helps in the decision making process. I’m sure I’ve missed something; hopefully it’s not too important to you.… Read more
Bought a new Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sports produced Dec 2024 (have been driving for a few months)
What I like:
I enjoy driving it (we’re off to a good start) I find the seats are comfortable The vision is good The brakes work well I find steering wheel is pleasing to hold and turn The tyres are great (costly to replace but still good) The acceleration is ok (not amazing) but ok, and Sports mode is a bit better. The rear seats are comfortable (so I have been told by passengers) The interior is nicely appointed I like the ‘Heads up display’. I get that it tends to be a ‘love it or hate it thing’ but it can be turned off. I found the cruise control easy to use (which I didn’t find on a Rav4 I hired). I find the dash display quite good. The hands free telephone is great, easy to use and very clear. The sound system is good (not that I’m much of an expert, but son (who always plays music in his car) thinks so too Paint work is beautiful (at the moment) I find the boot space (and the adjustable floor) adequate for me (it’s an individual thing) Goes up hills no problem Ok with turn signal sound (can be adjusted a bit) The cross traffic alert when reversing works well and gives confidence The reversing camera produces a high quality picture. Ok with the glove box size (not huge but not small) The wireless Bluetooth system works There are cable ports for charging you phone in the console Getting in and out of the car is easy due to the elevated height of the car (fantastic if you have knee or back problems) Has a sunglasses holder (I was going to buy a Corolla Cross before the Mazda but it didn’t have a sunglasses holder) and in the end that was the deal breaker for me. Door parking positions (great for getting out of the car when parked next to another one).
Not so keen on:
I really feel that the console should be sliding. I am used to resting my arm on them whilst still holding the steering wheel on a long drive (which I can’t do now). Unable to find a ‘retrofit sliding armrest’ on the internet. There should be an auto wing mirror closure option. It’s sort of annoying to remember when you park. Whilst I don’t really have a problem with the system control dial, I think a touch screen option would be better. The engine is a bit ‘whinny’ when getting up to speed, and then it’s fine (not so noticeable if the radio is on). Not exactly economical with petrol, but I knew that prior to purchasing. I really wish car companies stopped with the forward pointing head rests that only touch the top of your head (my wife has to lean her head forward giving her neck pain). At least make them with an adjustable tilt. I think the tailgate lift arms could have been a bit stronger (basically self lifting). I would like to be able to turn off the cruise control auto distance from the next car. I have had more than one instance where I went to change lanes and it braked (a car moved into my lane and the auto distance decided it was too close and then self braked) which gave the potential for an accident (it can be a bit of an OMG moment). I would like to be able to turn off the auto engine turn off/turn on permanently (current you have to do this every time you restart). You can buy a kit from the internet which can do this for about $80 so why don’t Mazda just give us the option. If you reduce the air con to ‘’Lo’’ this will stop the stop/start (ok in summer, not so much in winter). The keyless entry is ok but had to replace the fob battery after a few months. I would prefer it if the wings mirrors were both ‘as it is’ size instead of the driver’s side only, and the passenger side a reduced size, as it makes it look as if you have more room to change lanes than you actually have.
What I really don’t like
I have found the information display system non intuitive, and have had to spend a lot of time on the internet to figure it out. Mazda should in my view make videos (doesn’t need to be professional quality) on how to use all its functions for each model, and place them on its website. When driving using Google maps, I want to move the map so I can see where I am going, and because it is not a touch screen I can’t. There has been a number of times I have had near accidents because there is no touch screen, and my moving the dial all over the place to find what I want takes my attention away from the road. In my view the display operating system is the single biggest failure in the car: No touch screen and no user friendly interface. I really don’t like the fact that what the petrol usage display states I am using, is in conflict with my own maths (which states less usage). I would I record the Km since last fill up against petrol used to fill the tank to the click to work out how many litres per 100kms. Did this several times when I first had the car and it always differed a lot, so which do I believe? This makes the feature unhelpful.
My son bought a Mazda cx5, 2017 model. Engine smoke, lost power. Go to Mazda rockdale service. Must replace Engine. Cost 8700. He can't afford it. Go to other mechanic. No one want to repair it. At last find one, charge 7800, but couldn't do the job. I advise all my friends, relatives: never buy mazda, terrible car. I will say this all my life. Never mazda. Show details
So very disappointed. Traded my previous model CX-5 (which I loved) for the newer model and even upgraded. This vehicle is so inferior to the old model it's a joke. The "upgraded" screen malfunctions and the reception for radio (and CarPlay) is terrible. Excuses from the dealership are arrogant and dismissive, rather than trying to fix the issues.… Read more
Head office won't even respond to emails about it. I honestly regret buying this car - the older model was a dream. This is just not good. Other features just seem lacking. The display is all over the shop and confusing - they've tried to cram too much onto the dashboard. It drives okay but lacks any oomph. You'd think an upgraded new model would be better than an 8 year old car - but boy was I wrong. This is the biggest downgrade ever. Mazda used to be the best. Now they're lazy and arrogant.
Reviews with attachments
- +8
As far as small SUVs go, it's hard to beat the CX-5 for power, features and space – Mazda’s build quality is certainly above par. Mazda’s solid construction helps make it feel more luxurious than the likes of Subaru and Toyota, especially when it comes to the materials and finishes used in the CX-5. Our ‘Akera’ model of the CX-5 had some additional flair in the form of Nappa leather seats. However, the door handles, climate… Read more
controls and volume buttons all added to a higher sense of build quality. The way these elements felt weighty, crisp and slick to engage with were the reasons why the CX-5 felt like it had a superior quality to its construction.
Compared to a Subaru, the Mazda oozes attention to detail making it more appealing to those who would appreciate that. The small interactions with this car scratch a certain itch in my mind, like adjusting the temperature with high quality metal dials that turn with a satisfying ‘click’.
The AWD Akera trim of the CX-5 starts from $55,842 drive away.
To be honest, that’s a fair price for the features you’re getting and the amount of car you’re receiving. I appreciate Mazda restraining from heading north of the $60,000 range.
You can start the range for $45,190 drive-away with the entry-level Maxx Sport trim, but I’d recommend getting the most out of your CX-5 with something like the GT SP or the Akera.
Mazda offers a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty with the CX-5, and 5 capped price services.
Servicing intervals are 10,000km apart, which can seem a little short compared to the likes of Subaru.
Despite featuring twin tail pipes and a turbocharged motor, this is just as quiet as you’d expect a family SUV to be.
I absolutely adored the sound isolation provided by the CX-5. It was levels above its competition, preventing outside noise from bleeding into the cabin.
The upgraded speakers inside were a delight to listen to, but I’m not sure that should be the sole reason why you’d spend more money on going up the CX-5 range.
It was clear the CX-5 was trying to emulate the buttery braking experience found in the CX-8 and MX-30 Electric. It didn’t quite achieve that same status.
Rather, pushing the brake pedal felt predictable and perfectly responsive to your inputs, but there was a bit more pitch in the body when decelerating.
This CX-5 was fitted with the most powerful engine option you can get: a 2.5L turbocharged petrol four-cylinder.
Producing 170kW and 420Nm, with power being sent through all four wheels, this is one of the faster SUVs in its class. VW and Cupra take the crown when it comes to the quickest SUV options at this price point.
With more power than cars like the Subaru Outback and the RAV 4, you can ride the wave of torque without having to dig deep into the accelerator pedal.
The 6-speed automatic transmission provides smooth and seamless shifts, but is lacking a few gears that are usually found in other SUVs.
A 6-speed seems a little lacking on paper, but I never found the CX-5 to be high in the rev range at highway speeds. The ratios are clearly tuned for optimal efficiency and power delivery, seeing as it’s not ultra exciting to engage with.
Riding on larger 19-inch alloy wheels, the road can be felt just that little bit more through the cabin. It’s a lot better than some other SUVs that opt for 20-inch wheels, but it’s going to feel a little more stiff than 18-inch wheel options.
The CX-5 feels more sporty and engaging than other SUVs in this category thanks to the suspension and steering. It’s clear why most people consider Mazda more fun to drive.
Corners can be a bit of entertainment too. However, I can’t help but feel there’s just a little lacking in the driving experience from the engine and gearbox.
There’s enough ground clearance to confidently head into Off-Road mode too. It’s not enough to traverse over really deep mud ruts or get lost on the beach, but is rather a handy mode to head to a farm house or your favourite campground.
This SkyActiv motor returned figures around the 10L per 100km mark. That’s a fine and respectable figure for an SUV of this size and power.
The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t have an interior as visually striking as Kia’s new cars, but it has a restrained and minimalist finish that hones in on the right things.
There are three displays, a drivers display (flanked by analogue dials) and a central 10.12-inch infotainment non-touch screen.
The interior is simple, but effective. The controls are easy to navigate and understand, and there’s little to no learning curve to using them.
I love the clean, parallel lines and the back to basics approach of the interior. More impressive though is the use of materials; rich Nappa leather, stitching, and high quality switchgear elevate the interior design, pushing it above the likes of Toyota.
The Subaru Forester has the upper hand when it comes to interior storage, but the CX-5 isn’t too far behind.
An automatic tailgate reveals a boxy, flat load area. That’s good enough for 438L of cargo. Fold the seats down in a 40:20:40 configuration, and you’ll see just over 1,340L of cargo space. It’s not the biggest SUV, but at least you can make the most of the internal space by folding just that middle seat down.
However, there’s a slight problem by just folding that middle seat, or having someone sit in it, as the controls for the rear heated seats and USB port are found in the centre arm rest. It’s a strange oversight from the company that pays great attention to the small details in their cars.
Certainly consider it against the likes of the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV 4 and VW Tiguan, as the CX-5 might not appeal to all. You might need more boot space (Forester), prefer more power (Tiguan) or want a hybrid drivetrain (RAV 4). But for the best blend of all of the above, the CX-5 is the ideal ‘just right’ option for many.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
Nice vehicle, great quality control, good features and enjoyable to drive. The 2.5L is powerful but fuel economy could be better, maybe with better gearing to improve economy when driving on highways and there are some features that I am not a fan of. It is great however that the driving sensors are not too sensitive, in other cars they can be annoying. Competent vehicle for towing too. Show details
Magnificent Mazda - Zoom Zoom! – Absolutely love our CX5 touring! The car drives beautifully, very low cabin noise (Oct 2021 model). The colour is Soul Crystal Red that looks spectacular! (its the vibrant red you can't miss when driving around (i've always wanted this colour). We have just had a week of rain and the car looks like its been freshly polished (does not show the… Read more · 2
dirt!).
We chose the CX5 touring AWD 2.5 petrol as we do a mix of city and country driving and wanted the extra mumbo of the 2.5 on the open road. Also the touring has the 17" wheels that provide a comfortable ride when compared to the 19" wheels on the other models.
I love the way the car is so zippy and fun to drive around, but still has plenty of room for 4-5 people and the boot is a nice generous size. The rear seats can be folded flat, via a small lever on the side of the boot (its works well) which provides loads of room for bikes etc. The rear seat folds 3 ways (there is a centre part that folds flat for long items like skiis which is really handy if you have 2 people in the back). My kids also love the rear a/c vents and usb ports (note: on my touring, the USB ports are on the small fold down centre part, drink holder inside the seat, if you're looking for them).
Fuel economy is remarkable, I just did a run at around 80km/h and achieved 5.9l/100km (see photo attached). Adding in a few traffic lights, it went up to 6.5l/100km. There is no need to buy a $60k hybrid! The car gets along very well, accelerates quickly to 100km/h. The motor is super quiet and refined and the 6 speed gearbox changes quickly and smoothly. Open road driving is also a pleasure with plenty of go go, even with 4 people on board. Mazda motors are happy to rev and it provides a sporty and confident drive.
The interior is of high quality, nice seats and all the buttons have a nice "feel" of luxury (almost BMW quality).
We looked into Hybrids and electric cars but they are very expensive and don't save you anything. For example, we paid $30k for the CX5 (21 model), but to buy a hybrid at $60,000 you would need to keep the car for 80 years to pay back the minis cure fuel saving. Hybrids are very complex and will need a new battery after 8 years at $10,000 (ouch!!). Better to invest your money into a 12% return ETF rather than blowing your money on a car that will be worthless in 10 years, or better still, put down a deposit on an investment unit.
Electric cars are also $60K+ and even after paying petrol for the CX5 i'm miles ahead. EV's will need a new $25k battery in 8 years, but the CX5 will easily get 20+ years and 300,000km of driving. Also, there are many reports of Telsas only getting 220km of range, when they should get 455km (spec sheet) when open road driving and drivers selling them to go back to petrol (I couldn't even drive to Sydney without hunting around for a charger).
The CX5 uses a simple 4 cylinder 2.5l motor with maintenance free timing chain. The motor is so smooth and refined you can hardly hear it running. The transmission is a conventional 6 speed (not CVTs or DSGs like most manufacturers that are cheap and use a belt to push you along. I prefer gears any day). My friend at work has 420,000 Km on his Mazda and still buzzing along.
I would avoid the diesel in this model (many reports of issues, see reviews below) - the small fuel saving is quickly lost by repair costs. Most negative reviews relate to the diesel so just buy the petrol.
The entertainment system works well, with Navigation, USB Ipod, Bluetooth, Apple carplay and android auto. You can use the touch screen, or there is an nice button selector near the gearshift that is easy to access while driving.
The car has flappy paddle gear shifters. I liking being able to just click the paddle down a gear when travelling downhill, then the system reverts to auto mode again. Its very nice and works well.
This is my 3rd Mazda and they are all been very good. My last Mazda went for 220,000km and still going strong (only sold it for a new one, not because of any issues).
Servicing every 10,000km or 1 yearly.
We compared the CX3 and CX5 in the car yard, and the CX3 roof line is substantially lower, shorter and is very small. You would fill up the CX3 boot with a week of groceries. I would recommend the CX5 for most people, it provides a practical car that can easily do short town runs, but large enough for touring/day trips/camping etc.
My only hesitation (at first) with this vehicle was the engine stop/start Istop (this basically stops the engine at traffic lights). I feel that starting/stopping motors generates the most wear on cam shafts/bearings etc to save 2 drops of fuel. However, the engine only stops when you press the brake pedal "hard" whilst stopped, so if you are gentle on the brake pedal, the motor will stay running. There is also a button you can press, to keep the engine running, but not sure why the car does not hold this setting for the next startup (the button needs to be pressed on the next start). In summary, I'm happy with the Istop and has not been an issue at all (with light brake press the motor stays running, and no need to press the button).
Mazdas have always been a high quantity, reliable, and great value Japanese made cars, without paying $20k more for a Toyota.
Awful – All of the Mazda CX5 have a bowed dashboard. It has a large gap where it it not joined properly. It is an obvious ugly fault and gives me anxiety every single time I get in it to drive it. Mazda have refused to fix it stating it is a mass produced car and nothing can be done. 58k for a terrible interior finish. It looks awful and broken. Not happy. Would not recommend. Show details
Overrated – 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 Show details
In-depth reviews
Mazda, No Zoom, Zoom, No Care – This is about Mazda appalling customer care and even worse dealership service. I like the car, second one I have owned, it will be the last because of this. The Mazda is two years old, 5 year warranty, low mileage. The rear wheel trim came loose, flapping around in the wind. I secured it with duct tape, and replaced a screw fitting that had come… Read more
out in order to eliminate further damage and the whole trim ripping off. I went to Mazda dealership at South Nowra, asked for it to be repaired under warranty. We will take a look, take some photos and forward to Mazda for approval the dealership said. Should be ok as it doesn’t indicate any wilful damage. We will repair it next service. 2 months later I have received no call back, service is due so I phoned up. We haven’t heard back from Mazda was the reply. Bring in the car for service, we’ll fix it. I turn up, there’s a new Service Manager. No we cannot fix it I will have to refer it to Mazda I’m advised abruptly. Service carried out, no we haven’t submitted the claim you will have to come back. We can replace it for around $500. But it’s clearly a warranty issue I say. No we cannot fix it unless approved by Mazda. We will send the photos again showing there is no obvious wilful damage. I follow up again 2 months on, still no reply. It’s now 12 months and 4 follow ups since I reported the fault. I have no resolution, never received a call except those I made and the Nowra dealership refuses to address it. Very, very sad Mazda. I shall continue to relate this lack of customer care and warranty failure until I receive at least a call why this is not being addressed.
Superb. Fit for purpose. Excellent touring – We live in the bush on the far South Coast of NSW. We really like our Mazda BT50 GT. Purchased 2021. Excellent. However this is our only vehicle. Front and rear bull bar, all terrain tyres, canopy etc. A serious off road bush vehicle. We regularly get flooded in. However we also have a small apartment in Melbourne. We thought it was smart to get… Read more
a medium SUV for running into town and driving to Melbourne. Our closest town is Ron Doyle Motors in Eden NSW. They are Mazda, Nissan, Isuzu dealer. Excellent service 5 stars. Thank you Troy. So my new SUV had to be one of these. Isuzu MUX too big and almost identical to my BT-50. So Mazda or Nissan. I needed a medium SUV, excellent reliability, low running costs and good fuel economy while still having all the latest heads up display, adaptive cruise control etc etc. It was also essential that I could get 17 inch rims for the bush. This was a deal breaker. Upmarket models 19 in rims out of the question. I also wanted a diesel so there was no confusion filling up the car - and it does happen putting petrol into a diesel! Not good and expensive.
There was only one option and that was the CX-5 Touring Active 2.2 litre twin turbo diesel. And what an amazing car it is. Smooth, fun to drive and really sporty. Almost too much power and torque. Wow. Superb cruising and overtaking. And very reasonably priced. There are always a few available for $45,000 drive away at dealers.
Anyway I purchased a 2022 demo in early 2023 with 5,000kms from the dealer at a very good price. 5 year warranty unlimited. I have now done about 15,000kms and could not be happier. Superb built quality. Mazda are also excellent with warranty issues but I don’t anticipate any.
Great cruising. On many drives to Melbourne regularly get 6.2litres/100kms like clockwork. It is my daily drive. Surprising amount of storage space.
I am glad I did not get a petrol or the more up market models since they have 19in wheels. Not as comfortable and not as good in bush. This 4WD model also has a button to effectively give a rear differential lock for off road use. I also looked at the new CX-60 that just came out. A similar spec to my CX-5 was $20,000 more expensive and gave me no effective improvement in fitness for use.
The CX-5 twin turbo diesel is definitely the sweet spot in the line up for us. My wife also likes driving it! It is also very reassuring to have an excellent local MAZDA dealer to look after it. Thank you Ron Doyle Motors.
Japanese precision engineering – 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… Read more
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. Bad points: 1. The car has a lack of power for overtaking. 2. Fuel economy is not that great 3. It looks a bit ugly to me - not the most stylish SUV like a Porsche Macan...
Overall a great car - no wonder they sell so well
UPDATE 3/4/24 Car is now 4 years old. Only issue to date is that both side mirrors have had motors fail which needed replacing, and replaced battery. Otherwise goes like clockwork.
Positive reviews
Love it – Traded in a car we were having ongoing issues with. We've never owned a brand new car, but had heard good things about the Mazda CX-5, and the price seemed good, so we went for it. So glad we did! It feels great to drive. Low noise and handles like a dream. The touch screen takes a little getting used to (as you can't use it while the car is in… Read more
motion) - and we're not great at reading the big manual that comes with things - so we worked it out ourselves. It's great.
It’s easy to see why these cars are so popular. Roomy inside, nice finishes throughout, easy to drive and just reliable as all heck.
Amazing suv – 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. Show details
Find out how Mazda CX-5 KF compares to other Midsize / Medium SUVs
Know better, choose better.
Practical SUV while still being fun to drive – 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… Read more
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.
Negative reviews
All ok until it is not. Common Seatbelt Fault – It has a very common seatbelt fault issue. My 6 year CX-5 is minimally used, and the rear seatbelt won’t retract now. Found out it is a very wide spread issue and if you try to get it fix, the dealer will slug u with a hefty non-refundable diagnostic fee and u are basically trying your lucky to get replacement covered. The HQ hotline is… Read more
condescending and gave only roundabout answers to nowhere. Now I can understand why ACCC/Federal Court handed down a $11.5 millions penalty to Mazda! I will stay away as compromised seatbelt is the least you want when you have kids in the car!
Engine Oil Bad Issue – If you use your car on 15 min trip, don’t buy it!! Mazda technicians say it is normal for Mazda have a high oil level if you don’t do long trips everyday. I see as a very bad issue, but they say it’s the way it is. So think twice before taking your car to service every 4 months to fix what they call normal! It’s very annoying, frustrating and a complete waste of time, once your warranty runs off, you’ll be paying it from your own pocket! Show details
Bramd new car navigation failed in 2 weeks – Recently purchased brand new Mazda 5 for my mother and navigation system wad not functioning perhaps broken. She is nearly 70 years old and she is very stressed about it. Never buy Mazda again in my life. Show details
Recent reviews
Overall pretty good – I loved this car but it’s time to move on Show details
Good quality vehicle, terrible infotainment system – Disappointed with terrible infotainment system, old school not touch screen Show details
Excellent car – 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... Show details
Love it – 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… Read more
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
Average – 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. Show details
Find out how Mazda CX-5 KF compares to other Midsize / Medium SUVs
Know better, choose better.
Not as promised! – 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… Read more
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 disputed 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!
Superb car – 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… Read more
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. 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.
Incredible Luxury without breaking the bank – 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… Read more
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, ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, etc 3. Seeing in believing. One has to be inside a Mazda to see how brilliant is the design and interiors compared to other Japanese brands like Honda and Toyota.
What could be better - 1. Fuel economy. But this is true for all fuel-hungry SUVs. I get around 11L/100Km in everyday use. Highways 8L/100km
Almost perfect – 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… Read more
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 had 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!
Stylish, luxurious and all-rounder good vehicle – I upgrade from a 2010 Mazda 2 to a top of the range CX-5 Akera in 2018 - a big jump overall in engine, size and standard features and I have almost no regrets. The servicing price is always going to be pricey with a Mazda and would be great if they brought in capped price servicing like other car makers. Now that I have had this vehicle for 4… Read more
years I can give a decent review. The upgrade from a small hatch to a "medium" suv was very easy. The engine size is perfect for the vehicle and has no trouble getting to speed. It is designed incredibly well and you can tell considering how popular the vehicles are when you see them around. One minor concern is the back aircon isn't very forceful so even though I do not currently have children I would be concerned about the force of airflow in the back. Good room for 3 adults in the back regardless. Great boot space.
Overall this is a vehicle I plan on having for another 8-10 years. The servicing costs are roughly between $300-$500 dependent on type on service. I waited for Mazda to upgrade their design from the hideous infotainment system that was ingrained in the dash to be the top of the dash and when they finally did that was one of the deciding points on the purchase. The only other issue is that alot of the range in 2018 had apple car play as standard yet the cx-5 did not - and low and behold the year after purchase it was brought in as standard which is frustrating - now if I want to upgrade it is $500 - a significant price which makes you think before upgrading. Overall I will eventually upgrade to this (maybe in another year or two) but I think if you have purchased a vehicle that then has that standard like apple car play brought in a year later it should be a discounted price to upgrade - $250 would be adequate.
Mid 2021 Akera 140Kw/450Nm AWD 6 speed auto – My work car doing over 20k a year. Always perfect no matter the road conditions (80% bitumen/20% outback dirt). Never short on power whatever the circumstances. Highway under 5l/100km, average since bought spot on the 5.7l/100 indicated. Larger alloys on the Akera can be a bit harsh on rougher roads but certainly no worse than my previous Lexus NX… Read more · 1
(Mazda has all the same nice touches without the higher purchase cost or service fees - besides the NX still rides on the Rav4 platform). Auto braking can be a pain in the neck though as I've had a few false calls... however the auto cruise control matching the car in front and keeping distance is awesome. Will buy again.
Mazda will not honour warranty – We bought a brand new 2020 CX-5 GT, and this clear plastic started cracking almost immediately. The dealership says you won’t cover it on warranty. Was told by mechanic at dealership that it had been happening to cars often. Show details
Never again – I have owned this 2019 CX-5 from new, a few months into owning it the drivers side door armrest cracked and caved in where I rest my arm, I waited for weeks for a new one to arrive and it was replaced under warranty, have hardly driven the car in the last 2 years and recently the arm rest cracked and caved in again, contacted the dealer was told… Read more
they need too take photos and videos to send to Mazda Australia for permission to replace the faulty armrest. The dealer told me they would contact me once they got an answer from Mazda, weeks went by no one contacted me.. I contacted the dealer and was told Mazda had refused to replace the armrest under warranty, the dealer said it cracked because I put my arm on it this vehicle still has 2 years warranty left) I contact Mazda Australia who said they don't deal with their customers and that I had to contact the dealer again to ask for a review on the decision.This CX-5 l bought new is the top of the range, they charge top dollar and use cheap plastic all over the car, this is my first and last Mazda, The warranty they offer is worthless ...beware.
Buyer Beware! – Beware Mazda do not honor the warranty you receive when you buy a new vehicle from them, they pick and choose what they want to cover note: don't rest your arm on the arm rest because if it cracks and caves in they will not replace it under warranty, truly poor quality cheap plastics used. High priced vehicle with sub standard quality in various… Read more
areas of this vehicle, they ignore you hoping you and the problem go away. Well I will be going away....I won't buy another Mazda ever !
Very good vehicle but…… – My CX 5 was sold to me as a 2020 model but the salesman at Ringwood did not let me know that a slightly updated model was due not long after my purchase - no doubt an honest mistake. The finish both inside and out is excellent. However the dashboard is poorly designed with controls for the heating/cooling very low and poorly arranged. The … Read more · 1
mapping display console juts out of the dash and looks like an after thought. While the car has many worthwhile safety features, I find visibility is poor, the rear windows, side and rear to be quite small, especially compared to the Subaru Forester or Rav 4. Like many cars the claimed economy is nowhere near actual usage, and poorer than a Forester. However, with all the built in safety features, plus a very good finish, it was a a pretty satisfactory purchase. UPDATE - OCTOBER 2022 I have now owned the Mazda for around two and a half years but due to Covid lockdowns and very wet weather it has only covered 10,000 km. It’s worth noting that to keep the warranty running, within a few months it will be due for it’s third service at around $380 a service - approximately $100 per 100 km. Although I am assured that some lubricants do need changing yearly, I asked the service department at the dealer whether the service cost could be reduced as it was obvious that some items such as brake wear, wheel rotation etc were hardly needed. However a discount was simply not possible ie. Flexibility not in their manual! However warranties are still covered as long as a qualified mechanic uses the correct servicing materials so……… OTHER THOUGHTS. Runs well but fuel economy is woeful, particularly compared with my Forester - same size motor, same drivers so?
Stylish car with all safety features – Purchased the KF 2.0 Petrol 2020 Maxx Sport for $34k brand new. Love the style and had a baby on the way and need to fit a pram and groceries and needed it to be auto for city driving. Tight streets were no issues for turning radius and loved all the push button start. Inbuilt reverse camera was helpful when reversing into shopping centers. … Read more
This car came with a full size spare tyre in the boot and traditional 6 speed auto gearbox. I did my research on comparative cars on the same price but they all had CVT which I avoided. This car is used on a daily basis, I was not sure of the 2.0L aspirated engine but it kept up with all the cars on the road after a few test drive at the dealers and was sold on it. Only downside is the inbuilt map sat nav is lacking in refinement better to use your mobile phone for navigation around town and connect that to the inbuilt carplay. Also sometimes if the front camera picks up something funny on the screen the car will AUTO brake for you which is sometimes annoying or if you carry a bike rack at the back and you are reversing the bike will be in the way of the auto sensor and the car will again auto brake stopping you from reversing. Fuel usage is what I expected nothing great but I get around 8.8L / 100km on the auto car around town full take gets me 550km to the tank. I love the auto brake hold which I use alot around town as you don't have to keep pressure on the brakes waiting at the lights but make sure you turn off your Auto / START / STOP as I heard it doesn't do your alternator any good for long term but the trade off is a little bit of fuel and keeps your aircon running during hot summer days. Normally the compressor turns off and the fan still running when you use that feature
Perfect sml-med Diesel SUV. Heaps of power, very economical – This is my daily drive, 100km each way mostly freeway. This car is not too small when travelling around Semis, has heaps of power, economical, fully optioned and no issues. Show details
What a Great SUV – I’m retired so I travel less than 10,000 km per annum. I particularly like that the cargo area easily accommodates my golf clubs and buggy. No problems experienced to date. Economy is quite good even though most of my driving is stop/start and short distances - currently 9.8 litres per 100 kms but a recent country drive returned a very good 6.3… Read more
litres per 100 kms. The vehicle is very well put together and finished. The seating is very comfortable and provides good support.
Extra Information
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.