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Mazda CX-5

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Mazda CX-5 Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Models & News

The Mazda CX-5 was a definite late-comer to the mid-size SUV party, not arriving until 2012, by which time it was almost beyond fashionably late.

Luckily for Mazda, it arrived wearing some seriously stylish looks, which have been refined in successive updates. Backed up by a pair of high-tech four-cylinder petrol engines (2.0- and 2.5-litre) and impressive road manners it's become an Aussie family favourite competing with the likes of the evergreen Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester.

The Mazda CX-5 is available in two- and all-wheel drive, across six model grades - Maxx, Maxx Sport, Touring, GT, GT SP, and the flagship Akera.

Prices start at $36,590 for the CX-5 G20 Maxx (fwd) and swell up to $55,000 for the CX-5 G35 Akera Turbo (awd).

Mazda CX-5 Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Mazda CX-5 varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $36,590 and going to $55,000 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2024 SUV 2.0L, —, 6 SP AUTO $36,590 $55,000
2023 SUV 2.0L, —, 6 SP AUTO $33,330 $59,950
2022 SUV 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $30,250 $58,410
2021 SUV 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $26,290 $55,110
2020 SUV 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $24,750 $51,700
See All Mazda CX-5 Pricing and Specs

Mazda CX-5 Colours

There are nine colours in the CX-5 range, including black, white, silver, red, sand, two greys and two blues.

  • Rhodium White Metallic
  • Sonic Silver Metallic
  • Machine Grey Metallic
  • Polymetal Grey Metallic
  • Jet Black Mica
  • Soul Red Crystal Metallic
  • Eternal Blue Mica
  • Deep Crystal Blue Mica
  • Zircon Sand Metallic
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website.

Mazda CX-5 Dimensions

The dimensions of the Mazda CX-5 SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2024 SUV 1675x1840x4550 mm 193 mm
2023 SUV 1675x1840x4550 mm 193 mm
2022 SUV 1675x1840x4550 mm 193 mm
2021 SUV 1675x1840x4550 mm 193 mm
2020 SUV 1675x1840x4550 mm 193 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mazda CX-5 Dimensions

Mazda CX-5 Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Mazda CX-5 here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • Does the Mazda CX-5 have a timing belt or chain?

    Looking at the popular CX-5 range from 2017 onwards, is the Mazda CX-5 timing belt or chain driven?

    There was a big range of engines used in this model CX-5, but the short answer is a very simple one. It doesn’t matter whether your CX-5 has the 2.0 or 2.5-litre (turbo or non-turbo) or even the turbo-diesel engine option, the engine uses a maintenance-free timing chain rather than a rubber toothed belt.

    That means, you don’t need to even think about the timing chain, because it should last the life of the engine. A timing belt, meanwhile, needs regular replacement to avoid doing expensive damage to the engine if it should break while the engine was running.

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  • Which mid-size, diesel SUV should I buy?

    Mazda’s SUV range (CX-5 and CX-8) are popular with their owners and have a good reputation in the trade. Crucially, they’re also available with a turbo-diesel engine, so they fit your criteria on that basis. We’d also suggest you take a good look at the South Korean brands’ offerings (Hyundai and Kia) as these are also highly rated by the trade and those companies have been involved with small-capacity diesel engines for decades, so the technology is pretty well sorted.

    It’s interesting that you’ve had a good run from your Holden Captiva as that is far from the experience of many owners and former owners of this particular vehicle. As the Captiva ages it is very likely to start giving trouble, so the best advice is to trade up to a newer vehicle sooner rather than later.

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  • Will the stop/start function damage the turbo in my Mazda CX-5?

    The advice to always idle a hot turbocharged engine down was based on a period in time when turbochargers didn’t have the water-cooled bearings they do now. With modern turbos such as the one in your Mazda, the bearing shouldn’t get hot enough to need idling down (cooling gradually while the engine idles, pumping oil through the turbo bearing).

    That said, I would imagine that the Mazda’s engine management software incorporates a line of code that will not allow the stop/start function to operate if the engine was at a high enough temperature that anything (turbo included) might be damaged by shutting the engine down suddenly. That same logic also ensures that the stop/start is disabled if the battery is low on charge, if the air-conditioner is running flat out or any other condition exists that requires the engine to be running. If you’re still concerned, you could always disable the stop/start function manually when you come to a stop after a drive and manually idle the engine for a minute or two before shutting it off. I appreciate mechanical sympathy, and so, obviously, do you, Steven.

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  • How can I replace a damaged compliance plate?

    Given that it’s just a small piece of stamped aluminium, a car’s compliance plate is a big deal as it confirms that the vehicle to which it’s attached meets all relevant rules and regulations to be used on the street. The laws vary from State to State, but in WA right now, it seems that replacing a damaged compliance plate with a new one is not permitted. Instead, what you may have to do is to apply for an exemption to have a compliance plate fitted to that particular vehicle.

    According to the WA authorities (who I contacted about this) “If a vehicle’s original compliance plate is destroyed or lost, it cannot be replaced, however the vehicle owner can apply…for an exemption from having to fit a compliance plate”. There’s a process to be followed including having the car inspected and, if the vehicle is deemed to qualify for the exemption, a note will be made on its registration record to reflect the fact that it doesn’t require a physical compliance plate. This inspection will confirm that the vehicle is legal and hasn’t been stolen or written-off.

    My concern is that it’s something you’re going to have to explain to a buyer when you sell the car on. Even though a car with this exemption is perfectly legal and shouldn’t present any insurance hassles, some buyers might be leery of a car without a compliance plate. For that reason, I’d be doing everything I could to preserve the original compliance plate. Unless there was a fire that melted it, even a bent and buckled compliance plate may be able to be straightened and left attached to the car. That would certainly be my preference.

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See All Mazda CX-5 Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Mazda CX-5 Accessories

At a minimum, the CX-5 comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch multimedia screen, a 7.0-inch digital instrument panel, cloth interior trim with manual adjust seats, dual-zone climate control, push-start ignition, and the full safety suite.

Mazda CX-5 Accessories

Mazda CX-5 Interior

The Mazda CX-5 has an upmarket-feeling interior for its price and class, with soft-touch materials throughout. The most recent update in 2022 brought with it a larger multimedia screen, while a digital instrument panel is now standard across the range.

Mazda CX-5 Interior

Mazda CX-5 Towing Capacity

The Mazda CX-5 has maximum towing capacity of 1800kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2024 SUV 1800kg 1800kg
2023 SUV 1800kg 1800kg
2022 SUV 1800kg 1800kg
2021 SUV 1800kg 1800kg
2020 SUV 1800kg 1800kg
See All Towing Capacity for Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5 Boot Space

The Mazda CX-5 has a 438-litre boot capacity regardless of variant.

Mazda CX-5 Boot space

Mazda CX-5 Fuel Consumption

The Mazda CX-5 is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by —, Diesel and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 6.9L/100km for SUV /— for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2024 SUV 6.9L/100km 2.0L 6 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 6L/100km 2.2L Diesel 6 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 6.9L/100km 2.0L 6 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 6.9L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 6L/100km 2.2L Diesel 6 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 6.9L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2022 SUV 7.5L/100km 2.5L 6 SP AUTO
2021 SUV 6L/100km 2.2L Diesel 6 SP AUTO
2021 SUV 6.9L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2020 SUV 6L/100km 2.2L Diesel 6 SP AUTO
2020 SUV 6.9L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Mazda CX-5 Pricing and Specs for 2024

Mazda CX-5 Engine

There are four variant-dependent engine choices in the CX-5 range, all of which are four cylinders. This includes a base 2.0-litre petrol engine (115kW/200Nm), a mid-grade 2.5-litre petrol engine (140kW/252Nm), a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel option (140kW/450Nm), and a top-spec 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol (170kW/420Nm). All are mated to a six-speed transmission.

Mazda CX-5 Engine

Mazda CX-5 Wheel Size

The Mazda CX-5 has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 225x65 R17 for SUV in 2024.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2024 SUV 225x65 R17 225x65 R17
2023 SUV 225x65 R17 225x65 R17
2022 SUV 225x65 R17 225x65 R17
2021 SUV 225x65 R17 225x65 R17
2020 SUV 225x65 R17 17x7 inches 225x65 R17 17x7 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mazda CX-5 Wheel Sizes

Mazda CX-5 Seats

Mazda's CX-5 range is five-seat only, with seats clad in either cloth, a combination of synthetic leather and suede, or Nappa leather, depending on grade.

Mazda CX-5 Seats

Mazda CX-5 Speed

The base G20 Maxx version of the CX-5 can sprint from 0-100km/h in 10.6 seconds, while G25 all-wheel drive versions reduce this to 9.7 seconds. The 2.2-litre diesel versions will complete the sprint in 8.8 seconds, and the fastest CX-5, the G35 2.5-litre turbo can sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds. Expect a top speed in the region of 200km/h.

Mazda CX-5 Range

Driving range will depend on variant. Base front-drive 2.0-litre equipped cars will travel an estimated 812km on a single tank of fuel, while mid-spec 2.5-litre AWD versions will travel less far, at an estimated 784km. Diesel versions can travel the furthest, at an estimated 1018km between fills, while the top-spec 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine can travel the least distance, at an estimated 707km.