Which year to buy
Best bet2022Fewest serious problems: 0.6× usual
Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy
AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad
Be careful2013–2014, 2019More problems; check the recalls were done
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year. first year of a new design.
2014CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly power train and engine
168 serious complaints of 377, the most about power train (50) and engine (39); per car on the road, 1.6× this model's usual year. 4 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2014 mazda cx-5. While attempting to turn the vehicle off, the shifter would not immediately change into the park position and the vehicle would not completely shut off. On several occasions, the battery drained due to the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Oct 2019
“When attempting to turn engine off, a warning light appears that shifter must be placed in "park" before turning off engine. Repeated attempts do not work. Many owners having similar problem.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jul 2018
377 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 26–29 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2014 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2014
- Starting prices: +$475 to +$620 (2 trims; hover for each)
- Engine: SKYACTIV-G 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT → SKYACTIV-G 2.5L (Touring, Grand Touring)
- Horsepower: 155 hp → 184 hp (Touring, Grand Touring)
- Torque: 150 lb-ft → 185 lb-ft (Touring, Grand Touring)
- Curb weight: 3,426 lb → 3,532 lb (Touring, Grand Touring)
- Engine: SKYACTIV-G 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT → SKYACTIV-G 2.0L (Sport)
2014 CX-5 trims
| Grand Touring | Sport | Touring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Starting MSRP | $29,070 | — | $26,065 |
| Powertrain | |||
| Engine | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L | SKYACTIV-G 2.0L | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 155 hp | 184 hp |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft | 150 lb-ft | 185 lb-ft |
| Transmission | SKYACTIV-Drive | Automatic AWD: SKYACTIV-Drive Manual FWD: SKYACTIV-MT | SKYACTIV-Drive |
| Gears | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Drivetrain | AWD / FWD | Automatic AWD / Automatic FWD / Manual FWD | AWD / FWD |
| Size and capability | |||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Max towing | 2,000 lb | 2,000 lb | 2,000 lb |
| Cargo behind last row | 34.1 cu ft | 34.1 cu ft | 34.1 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 65.4 cu ft | 64.8 cu ft | 65.4 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 8.5 in | 8.5 in | 8.5 in |
| Length | 179.3 in | 179.3 in | 179.3 in |
| Curb weight | AWD: 3,532 lb FWD: 3,375 lb | Automatic AWD: 3,415 lb Automatic FWD: 3,263 lb Manual FWD: 3,194 lb | AWD: 3,532 lb FWD: 3,375 lb |
| Tech | |||
| Touchscreen | 5.8 in | Optional | 5.8 in |
| Apple CarPlay | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Android Auto | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Audio | Bose | — | Optional |
| Speakers | 9 | 4 | 6 + option |
| Driver assistance | |||
| Blind-spot monitoring | Blind Spot Alert | — | Blind Spot Alert |
| Automatic emergency braking | Optional | — | Optional |
| Parking sensors | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Comfort | |||
| Seats | Leather + option | Cloth + option | Cloth + option |
| Heated seats | Front | — | — |
| Climate zones | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Second row | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench |
| Exterior | |||
| Sunroof | Tilt/Slide Moonroof | — | Optional |
| Wheels | 19 in | 17 in | 17 in |
| Headlights | Halogen + option | Halogen | Halogen + option |
Packages and options (55)
| Grand Touring | Sport | Touring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Audio Package $400 | — | Optional | — |
| Grand Touring Technology Package $1,625 | Optional | — | — |
| Moonroof and Bose Audio Package | — | — | Optional |
| Touring Technology Package $1,485 | — | — | Optional |
| Trailer Hitch with Harness and Cover | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack Bike Carrier | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Bike Carrier, Trailer Hitch Mount | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Class I Hitch Receiver and Ball Mount | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Clear Film, Front Paint Protection | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Clear Film, Rear Paint Protection | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Door Edge Paint Protection | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Fog Lights $350 | Standard | Optional | Standard |
| Front Mask | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Front Splash Guards | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Hitch Receiver Cover | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Hood Edge Protector | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| License-Plate Frames | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Moonroof Wind Deflector | Optional | — | Optional |
| Rear Bumper Guard | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Rear Splash Guards | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack Cargo Box | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack Kayak Carrier | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack Luggage Basket | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack Ski/Snowboard Carrier | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack Surfboard Carrier | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Side Window Deflectors | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Touch-Up Paint | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Trailer Light Adapter | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Wheel Locks | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| All-Weather Floor Mats | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and HomeLink | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Liner | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Mat | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Net | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Tray | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cigarette Lighter | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Door Sill Trim Plates $125 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| First Aid Kit | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Remote Engine Start | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Retractable Cargo Cover | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roadside Assistance Kit | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Windshield Sunscreen | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| 3.5 mm Audio Cable | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Mazda Navigation System | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| SiriusXM Satellite Radio | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Crystal White Pearl | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Soul Red | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Black Cloth | — | Optional | — |
| Black Leather | Optional | — | — |
| Black Premium Cloth | — | — | Optional |
| Sand Cloth | — | Optional | — |
| Sand Leather | Optional | — | — |
| Sand Premium Cloth | — | — | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: chassis, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp | 4WD | 26 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 14 | Unknown or other (6) | — |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 27 | Service brakes (9) | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 187 hp | 4WD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 44 | Unknown or other (10) | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 24–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 63 | Service brakes (11) | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 24–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 63 | Exterior lighting (23) | Yes |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD, FWD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 147 | Engine (80) | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 187–227 hp 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 187–227 hp | 4WD, FWD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 107 | Electrical system (30) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel, 168 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 187–227 hp 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 187–227 hp | 4WD, FWD | 24–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 270 | Engine (131) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel, 168 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp | 4WD, FWD | 26–29 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 3 | 119 | Engine (96) | No |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp | 4WD, FWD | 26–27 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 148 | Electrical system (44) | No |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available | 4WD, FWD | 26–29 mpg | 4 of 5 | 5 | 510 | Exterior lighting (161) | No |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available | 4WD, FWD | 26–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 133 | Structure (27) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available | 4WD, FWD | 26–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 377 | Electrical system (132) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl manual available | 4WD, FWD | 27–29 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 194 | Electrical system (58) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Wireless Apple CarPlayWireless Android AutoApple CarPlay (wired or wireless)Wireless phone chargingHead-up displayAWD or 4WDPower liftgateAdaptive cruise with stop and goLane centeringBlind-spot monitoring360-degree cameraHeated front seatsHeated second-row seatsVentilated (cooled) seatsHeated steering wheelLeather seatsRemote startSunroof or moonroofPanoramic roof
Apple lists CarPlay for: CX-5 2019–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | MAZDA CX-5 SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 27 |
| 2024 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 44 |
| 2023 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 63 |
| 2022 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 63 |
| 2022 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 63 |
| 2021 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 147 |
| 2021 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 147 |
| 2020 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 107 |
| 2020 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 107 |
| 2019 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 270 |
| 2019 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 270 |
| 2018 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Later Release | 5 | Optional | No | 0 | 119 |
| 2018 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Later Release | 5 | Optional | No | 0 | 119 |
| 2018 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Early Release | 4 | Optional | No | 3 | 231 |
| 2018 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Early Release | 4 | Optional | No | 3 | 231 |
| 2017 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 148 |
| 2017 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 148 |
| 2016 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 5 | 510 |
| 2016 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 4 | Optional | No | 5 | 510 |
| 2015 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 133 |
| 2015 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 133 |
| 2014 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 377 |
| 2014 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 377 |
| 2013 | Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 194 |
| 2013 | Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 194 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2025 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with cylinder deactivation Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI |
24–28 |
| 2024 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI |
24–28 |
| 2023 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2022 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2021 | CX-5 2WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo |
25–28 |
| 2021 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2020 | CX-5 2WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 28 |
| 2020 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2019 | CX-5 2WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo |
25–29 |
| 2019 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo |
24–28 |
| 2018 | CX-5 2WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
28–29 |
| 2018 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.2 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–28 |
| 2017 | CX-5 2WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 27 |
| 2017 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2016 | CX-5 2WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
29 |
| 2016 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 26 |
| 2015 | CX-5 2WD | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
27–29 |
| 2015 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–27 |
| 2014 | CX-5 2WD | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
27–29 |
| 2014 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–27 |
| 2013 | CX-5 2WD | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
28–29 |
| 2013 | CX-5 4WD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 27 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.