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2021 Mazda CX-5 pricing and specs detailed: Sporty update arrives for Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Hyundai Tucson rival

The GT SP grade is the latest member of the Mazda CX-5 range.

Mazda Australia has released the CX-5’s MY21 update, with the mid-size SUV introducing a sporty new grade but missing out on a more powerful diesel engine.

Following in the tyre tracks of the Mazda6 mid-size car and CX-9 large SUV, the more athletic-looking GT SP grade has joined the CX-5 range, slotting in between the mid-range GT and flagship Akera grades.

As its name suggests, the GT SP builds upon the GT’s specification, adding black 19-inch alloy wheels and side-mirror caps as well as black interior trim and synthetic Maztex leather/Grand Luxe suede upholstery with red stitching for an extra $500.

Meanwhile, the entry-level Maxx grade now features 17-inch alloy wheels, instead of the previous steel items. Of note, it and the next-up Maxx Sport and mid-range Touring grades still have an 8.0-inch central display running Mazda’s previous MZD multimedia system.

Why is that worth noting? Well, a larger, 10.25-inch central display powered by the brand’s latest Connect multimedia system has made its debut in the GT, GT SP and Akera. Either way, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support remains standard.

  • 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP
  • 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP

These updates don’t come for free, though, with the Maxx (+$210), Maxx Sport (+$200), Touring (+$300), GT (+$900) and Akera (+$1050) grades all increasing in price.

The Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Hyundai Tucson rival’s range therefore now starts from $31,190 plus on-road costs and reaches $52,380 (see full pricing table below).

As before, every CX-5 is motivated by a four-cylinder engine, with the Maxx available with a 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated unit with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or torque-converter automatic.

The Maxx can also be had with a 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit with all-wheel drive and a six-speed torque-converter automatic.

Meanwhile, the automatic-only Maxx Sport can be optioned with either of the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol units, or a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel unit with all-wheel drive and a six-speed torque-converter.

In Japan, the MY21 update actually boosted the oil-burner’s maximum power output to 147kW, with it delivered 500rpm earlier, at 4000rpm, but Australia misses out for now.

The Touring is offered with the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel units, while the GT and Akera also have the option of a 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit with all-wheel drive and a six-speed torque-converter automatic.

And finally, the new GT SP is limited to the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol units.

2021 Mazda CX-5 pricing before on-road costs

VariantTransmissionCost
Maxx 2.0-litre petrol FWDmanual$31,190 (+$210)
Maxx 2.0-litre petrol FWDautomatic$33,190 (+$210)
Maxx 2.5-litre petrol AWDautomatic$36,190 (+$210)
Maxx Sport 2.0-litre petrol FWDautomatic$36,490 (+$200)
Maxx Sport 2.5-litre petrol AWDautomatic$39,490 (+$200)
Maxx Sport 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWDautomatic$42,490 (+$200)
Touring 2.5-litre petrol AWDautomatic$41,280 (+$300)
Touring 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWDautomatic$44,280 (+$300)
GT 2.5-litre petrol AWDautomatic$46,990 (+$900)
GT 2.5-litre turbo-petrol AWDautomatic$49,490 (+$900)
GT 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWDautomatic$49,990 (+$900)
GT SP 2.5-litre petrol AWDautomatic$47,490 (NEW)
GT SP 2.5-litre turbo-petrol AWDautomatic$49,990 (NEW)
Akera 2.5-litre petrol AWDautomatic$49,380 (+$1050)
Akera 2.5-litre turbo-petrol AWDautomatic$51,880 (+$1050)
Akera 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWDautomatic$52,380 (+$1050)