2023 Mazda CX-5 review: G25 Touring Active | Buy this family SUV over Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage?

Family buyers in the market for a mid-size SUV are spoilt for choice, with the mainstream segment led by two big-name models, one of which being the 2023 Mazda CX-5. Yep, its popularity is enduring - but the same can be said of the best-selling Toyota RAV4.

As is the case these days, Mazda updates its models from year to year and the CX-5 is no exception, with it attempting to stay ahead of the RAV4 curve. Model year 2023 is no less important, with it ushering in a number of improvements to the ageing series.

So, in this expert review, CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Emily Agar spends a week with the updated CX-5's mid-range G25 Touring Active variant to see if the Mazda should still be on the shortlist for families.

#Mazda #CX5 #Review

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Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:29 Pricing and features

01:54 Design

03:10 Practicality

05:25 Under the bonnet

05:59 Driving

07:18 Efficiency

07:53 Safety

08:28 Ownership

08:54 Verdict

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CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

#Mazda #CX-5 #review

[xadventure_pl]

I'm in awe of how the Mazda CX-5 effortlessly combines elegance, technology, and performance. Truly a standout!

[yassoo]

one week of ownership here: my 4 gripes with the CX 5 are:

1- no touch screen centre console
2- fuel consumption for me is around the 10L
3- the right side mirror is magnified and it's doing my head in every time i look at it!!
4- I wish there was a full digital driving cluster

for reference, I test drove all of the competition and nothing beats its interior quality and driving experience!

[JJ-wiuw]

Low tech engine means less to go wrong.

[JJ-wiuw]

Nothing wrong with 17 inch wheels. Bigger wheels might look nicer, but it means that tyres are more expensive and ride tends to be harsher.

[johnnumbat]

Thanks CG - I’ve recently travelled with a friend’s 2022 CX5 on regional roads and found the ride quite harsh, bumpy and quite noisy which I expect is due to the ‘sport’ suspension for better road manners 9:47 - to be fair I’ve owned several Subarus that have a much nicer ride overall and quieter with standard AWD - the fuel consumption is almost the same as my normally aspirated Forester - I’d still happily own one despite the higher than average servicing costs (like VW/Skoda/Audi) and the build quality is excellent with very good long-term reliability - I’ve found the steering and brakes for the Korean brands to be vague with noticeable break fade - so I’d go 1. Subaru 2.Toyota 3.Mazda and nothing else.

[wayneyoung]

Both my wife and I really enjoy our Akera
Diesel is beautiful and grunt
Turbo petrol goes very very nice
2022 models.
The best thing is Mazda has keep refining the 2.5 engine

[darcywoodbridge]

It’s all good to compare to the rav4 gx hybrid but no dealer is selling them new for under 56k before on road costs, not even counting whether or not you can find one in stock. Bit of a false equivalence in this market.

[sreerajkdy]

My cx5 2023 gives 8.2 l/100km…which is good enough for me..I wish if it is a mild hybrid set up, could have increased initial response and fuel efficiency

[JonnoHR]

For anyone considering a turbo petrol CX-5 be aware the advertised fuel consumption is complete BS, expect 8-9L/100km for mostly highway driving and 11-12L/100km for mostly short local trips (most common in a family SUV).

[pauld]

The lime green interior accents on the Touring Active are yuck.

[joepowell]

It’s powerful enough to blow off most of its rivals most times 😊

[markscott]

The room for rear passengers and boot capacity means the cx-5 does not genuinely compete with its mid-size suv rivals. It’s half a size smaller so shouldn’t be compared to them in any review. Lovely thing to drive but just too small for a lot of families.

[wenbinzhou]

surprisingly， no power seats. how about touring？

[GlowingTube]

It’s old, getting expensive, has poor packaging. The good points are a conventional drivetrain and proven reliability.

[narvinderkaur]

You get a lot more features with better AWD system in the Subaru Forester in the same price segment.

[mvnorsel]

Much better to replace that old, reliable engine with a 1 litre turbo, 3 cylinder motor. Due to fashion.

[SD-gwvm]

If Mazda really wants to up the stakes it should start putting the CX 60 luxuries into the CX5. Then they will really sell

[phugemawl]

Another new model which still has a stick supporting the open bonnet !

[needleontherecord]

No. RAV4 hybrid leads this segment market for good reason.

[RafLurv]

it's not "mass-deh". its ""must-duh"