Our Rides: Experience Matters

When a vehicle remains in the market with minimal changes over time, one would assume that it may be aging gracefully and has been seasoned well to be strongly considered by consumers.

The current Mazda CX-5 was introduced for the 2017 model year. In 2022, Mazda did a mid-cycle refresh that only required a few changes. For 2025, the only changes in the CX-5 are some shuffling of trim levels.

The CX-5 has appeared on these pages before. The last one was for a trip up to Door County, Wisc. with my then-partner. At this point, I’ve lost count of how many CX-5s I reviewed throughout my automotive media career.

Why talk about the Mazda CX-5? For starters, a lot of the automotive press have praised it ad nauseam. Leading consumer testing publications call it a best-in-class vehicle. The reasons are many — practicality, proven reliability, high equipment levels, great build quality and a solid set of drivelines to choose from.

For those reasons, I happen to have one. The gray 2021 CX-5 Touring was purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. It came with an upgraded package that added a few more luxuries than expected in a low- to mid-grade model. So far, it has racked up beyond 33,000 miles on the odometer and has been just one solid machine.

When a 2025 CX-5 Turbo Signature arrived recently for its routine workflow, I attempted to compare this newer, more powerful and luxurious version with the older non-turbo one, it was a matter of noting how much this popular model has evolved over the years. By doing so, I used my CX-5 as a measurement to confirm the reasons why it still attracts customers today.

Looking at the basics, the 2025 CX-5 has not changed over the years. The design is contemporary with its tall profile, modern face, and wide-opening doors and liftgate. The LED lighting units — front and back — came about in the 2022 model year. As have different wheel designs. Still, the essence is there.

The Signature tester sits at the top of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 lineup. Aside from the badge on the liftgate and the brightwork on the grille, the only true distinction among all trim levels is its 19-inch alloy wheels. There is no air of pretension or snobbery when you approach this specific CX-5. Being low-key is a thing, right?

It is when you step inside the CX-5 Signature that you truly find what this SUV is all about. There are higher-quality materials all around. The soft leather seats are extremely comfortable while offering plenty of support and bolstering. The front seat space is exceptional. You will also love the rear seat room that the CX-5 offers. Four six-footers of various body types will enjoy the space inside without discomfort.

Before I go on, let me say that you cannot go wrong with any of the eight trim levels Mazda offers in its CX-5 lineup. Plus, these materials will hold up. A prime example is my 2021 CX-5, where the leather is aging nicely without any rips or cracks. Durable floor mats were added from the front seat wells to the cargo hold. Just a tip from me: Adding durable floor mats will help in dealing with winter and wet weather, as well as add resale value to your CX-5.

The driver also gets easy-to-read analog and digital instrumentation, a head-up display, the knob-based Mazda Connect infotainment system with a wide screen on top of the center stack, a great climate control system, and various other tactile and logical controls.

Cargo space is more generous than you think. It starts with 29.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats. This expands up to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats down — all accessible from a power-operated liftgate that opens wide and high.

Let me be honest here. I do not mind the performance of my 2021’s non-turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine. It does a fine job dealing with everything from crowded Minneapolis streets to long journeys at highway speeds for my annual work obligations. However, it is the turbocharged version of this same engine that I appreciate even more. This is what motivates this Signature tester — and it is a solid unit.

The turbocharged engine puts down up to 256 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on tap. It is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission and, in our tester, the all-wheel drive system. Performance is superb, making the turbocharged engine a perfect match for the CX-5. For fuel economy, I averaged 22.8 mpg. Mazda recommends that you use premium fuel to get the maximum performance from this engine.

Then ride quality was smooth, but it could tend towards the firm side on occasion. When the road gets rough, the CX-5 finds a way to manage it. It also handles quite well with very limited lean and roll through the corners. It is extremely competent when it comes to dealing with evasive maneuvers.

Turning the CX-5 is solid. On-center feel is quite good, as is the action and response from the steering wheel. You can add more weight to the steering system by switching the CX-5 into Sport mode. Plus, braking was quite good with solid stops in normal and panic situations. You will find the brake pedal feel is just right.

For 2025, Mazda offers eight trim levels for its CX-5, three of which are powered by the turbocharged engine. Pricing for the 2025 CX-5 lineup starts at $28,570. This Turbo Signature tester came with a sticker price of $42,155. 

No matter which trim level or engine you choose, know that the 2025 Mazda CX-5 is still considered the best vehicle in its class. You can throw arguments (and shade) my way, but there is a track record that backs it up — including my own.