2021 Mazda CX-5 - Still One of the Best but Not Perfect

The new 2021 Mazda CX-5 is here and it's Still One of the Best Compact SUVs but it's Not Perfect. Check out the CX-5's exterior, interior, engine, features, and of course the drive.

[jamessamuelperry]

You overlooked reliability. I drive a 2015 and want a new one. The problem is after 6 years my CX-5 drives like the day I bought it. 6 years of trouble free driving!

[ravitandukar]

For a bigger space, you have CX-8 or CX-9, this is meant to be compact!

[ctconsulting]

Like most people, I’m not looking for maximum utility when considering a CUV. I’m looking for a blend with an emphasis on things that are important such as quality, handling, composure, safety, reliability and comfort. Maximum backseat space for grown adults and cargo is less important.

Otherwise, I’d be watching a video on Suburban or Tahoe.

This vehicle hits all the right notes on my priorities list. Well done, Mazda!

[rkalla]

Everyone always giving Mazda a hard.time.for the 6sp but you nailed it - it's always in the right gear and shifts well. Hard to drop that for 2more MPG on the highway.

[owensry]

14:45 I love how a CX5 just drove right by you hahaa

[eleanormassaro]

Who else noticed the other CX5 beside him at 14:46?😂😂. Beautiful car!

[owensry]

Mazda could fix row 2 space, if they made the 2nd row slide back when not much in cargo area and vice versa, like the new ford escape. when you need more passenger space let the 2nd row slide back into cargo area, when you need more cargo area, slide the 2nd row forward or fold down completely.

[NN-wbbz]

This is the most comprehensive and practical review for non-technical people like me. Thank you!

[jos]

Just bought a 2020 Touring with the Preferred Package. Best combination of price and options. I think this will be my favorite car, ever. That's saying a lot, as I bought my first in 1977.

[tacuazinful]

I own a CX5 2.0 L 2017 FWD. For me is perfect simply because is reliable and ZERO PROBLEMS en this 4 years 95k kms ownership

[cyrus]

Leased a 2021 CX-5 Grand Touring FWD w/ $1625, 00 premium package in Snowflake White Pearl, 10 days ago. I have 331 miles on her since I left this comment. MSRP is $33, 755 incl. destination. My main complaints are that the seats aren’t great, my butt hurts after 20 minutes but they do look nice. Also Mazda doesn’t offer the Rubber Floor & Cargo mats for any price. My 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan did and I like that. There are no hydraulic hood struts unlike my Tiguan. I wish this trim incl. the 360° around view camera. I wish the wiper/turn stalk script was illuminated at dark. Maybe Mazda will offer a panoramic sunroof on the next generation. There are plenty of nice little touches around the cabin like a felt-lined glove box, however it’s not lockable. I’d like a frameless rear view mirror and a Qi wireless phone charger but higher trims probably offer that. I will probably put stickier tires on her soon. It would be nice to have remote start on the key fob but I do have the Mazda Connect app on my phone which offers lots of useful options. This vehicle is smooth. The heated steering wheel and heated rear seats and ventilated front seats are nice. The space for me is not an issue as I’m a single male. The parchment leather looks great but I have installed seat covers. I feel the breaks are much softer than my 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The power fold mirrors and auto door locking when I walk away is great! Gas mileage has matched or exceeded the EPA rating. The LED headlights and fog lights work great and the auto high beam is terrific. I’m still pretty happy with this Japanese manufactured crossover. There is a learning curve to the infotainment system but it works great and I don’t miss the touch screen at all, the commander knob works great! Lastly I wish Mazda would cover the dead pedal with quality plastic cover because it’s simply carpeted and is prone to get dirty and display wear & tear. As George says, the steering, handling, and quietness are all above average. I drove the competition and only the Hyundai Tucson would make the cut if I didn’t get Mazda but only with their more powerful engine option. I did come extremely close to buying a Toyota Venza and was at the table negotiating with a manager, but an elderly couple came in with a bank draft offering sticker price at 9am, 25 minutes after I arrived to make a deal. The seats in the Venza would be better for me but the styling is too soft for a young guy in my opinion. It wasn’t the car for me.

[EthanWhateley]

excellent overview of the CX5, best I've seen thus far. I have spent time driving the 2021 CX5 GTR. I mostly agree with each point made here, both pros and cons. I would have to say I'd also like to see perhaps an inch wider wheel base. I agree the cabin space is also a point to consider. I'm a medium size guy with perhaps wider than average shoulders. I don't usually drive with a large person in passenger front seat, but when I do it does feel a bit tight on the width. The cabin overall is very comfortable, others have complained about the seats being too stiff, but I think they're ok, not too soft and cushiony. The back is definitely not for large people, not an issue for everyone. Engine? My advice, DEFINITELY spend the extra for the turbo 2.5. Coming from a V6 before the non-turbo feels like it's constantly trying to rev up to speed. As mentioned here- the 6 speed transmission in this works quite well, almost always finds the right gear . Tires that come stock could be better. Toyo A36 just ok. Non- touch screen is a non-issue for me also, wheel control works great, and probably safer.

[olivia]

To turn off the display, hold down the volume knob.

[stephenhendricks]

Want an SUV but don't need room in the back seat or cargo capacity? The CX-5 is the vehicle for you. Unfortunately for Mazda it's those weaknesses that put a ceiling on CX-5 sales.

[dianerisley]

I really wish Mazda, Honda or Toyota would go back and modernize the 2003-2005 Toyota Highlander. It had the perfect interior size for 4-5 adults. Front and rear seats were extremely comfortable. Excellent head, shoulders & foot room. Plus it had excellent rear cargo area behind the second row seats. Its was only like a 184-185 overall length. Mazda make it a hybrid and you could not make enough of them. Make reliable 3.0-3.5 v6 to round out the equation.
Why isn’t anyone addressing this !??

[gilmacababbad]

Mazda should bring back the cx 7 here in North America as an option midsize five seater alternative..

[bobmarley]

Fantastic they should add sweeping indicator lights to the front and the mirrors.... Especially the top of the range....

[mackymode]

I owned a 2016 CX-5 for 4 years, while I liked the car in general, one thing I really didn't like was the transmission, not that it was bad, but that it didn't have more gears, because on a downhill it was constantly hung-up on one gear too high. Mazda cars are very technologically advanced but their 6-speed automatic transmission needs an update to an 8~10 speed automatic desperately.
I wish I owned the current CX-5, because it has the turbo engine option, and memory seat, and power liftgate which last generation CX-5 didn't have. I've moved onto a 2020 Mercedes GLC300 4matic now, and while it's definitely an upgrade over the CX-5, I still kind of miss driving my old CX-5. If Mazda brings in an inline-6 engine into the mix for future models, I'll take a good hard look at it.

[johnedieter]

i have to think that the stop start feature is not healthy for engines. the constant starting is something that makes me cringe.

[kumarhemant]

❤️❤️❤️ from india, you do have good content👍