For The engine is spectacular, thanks to its mix of perky power delivery, excellent refinement and super-low running costs.
Against Like all CX-5s, this version doesn’t ride or handle particularly well, and refinement (engine aside) is disappointing.
What Car? says
If you want a CX-5, this is the one to go for. It has a brilliant engine, it’s reasonably affordable and it’s well-equipped.
What Car? readers say
4
View the whole Mazda CX-5 Crossover range
Cheaper
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 SE-L 5dr - £21,395
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 SE-L Nav 5dr - £21,995
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L 5dr - £22,995
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 Sport 5dr - £23,595
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L Nav 5dr - £23,595
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 Sport Nav 5dr - £24,195
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L AWD 5dr - £24,695
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 Sport 5dr - £25,195
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L Nav AWD 5dr - £25,295
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 Sport Nav 5dr - £25,795
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 175 Sport AWD 5dr - £27,195
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 175 Sport Nav AWD 5dr - £27,795
More expensive
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 SE-L 5dr - £21,395
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 SE-L Nav 5dr - £21,995
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L 5dr - £22,995
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 Sport 5dr - £23,595
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L Nav 5dr - £23,595
- Crossover 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 Sport Nav 5dr - £24,195
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L AWD 5dr - £24,695
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 Sport 5dr - £25,195
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L Nav AWD 5dr - £25,295
- Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 Sport Nav 5dr - £25,795
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 175 Sport AWD 5dr - £27,195
- Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 175 Sport Nav AWD 5dr - £27,795
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
With three engines to choose from, two gearboxes, four trims and front- or four-wheel drive, there are many different ways your Mazda CX-5 could turn out. However, there are one or two versions that really stand out.
The first selection to make is the lower-powered of the two diesel engines. It’s affordable to buy and run, has excellent performance and is more refined than its higher-powered counterpart. You also want to stick with the standard six-speed manual transmission. Most buyers won’t be taking their CX-5 anywhere near the countryside, either, so we’d advise opting for front-wheel drive rather than four-wheel drive.
Lastly, stick with SE-L trim. It keeps purchase prices reasonable, and comes with luxuries like alloy wheels, Bluetooth, cruise control and dual-zone climate control. Sport trim adds a few more desirable goodies including leather seats, but it ups the price substantially.
Reader test team says:
Mazda CX-5 Crossover 2.0 FWD Skyactiv-G SE-L 5dr
After spending a month driving several different crossovers , the Mazda CX5 was a clear winner . As I don't do enough miles to warrant a Diesel I…
5
out of 5 stars
Mazda CX-5 Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L Nav AWD 5dr
Having read many reports and reviews, I appear to be one of the few people who finds the CX-5 to be a disappointment. I took delivery of my CX-5 two…
2
out of 5 stars
Mazda CX-5 Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L Nav 5dr
This is a great car. It's comfy, spacious and quick. I would admit the only big down fall is the road noise and wind noise! Why they didn't fit…
5
out of 5 stars
Mazda CX-5 Crossover 2.2D Sky-D 175 Sport Nav AWD 5dr
This car is in the 5th month of ownership after 3500 miles. It has had 3 motorway journeys of over 200 miles and otherwise has been commuting 28 miles…
3
out of 5 stars
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Our pick of the range
Mazda CX-5 Crossover 2.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L 5dr
If you want a CX-5, this is the one to go for. It has a brilliant engine, it’s reasonably affordable and it’s well-equipped.
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