The Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV produced by Mazda since 2012, a successor to both the Tribute and the slightly larger CX-7. It is Mazda's first model to feature the "Kodo" design language and the first model to be fully developed with a range of technologies branded as Skyactiv, including a rigid, lightweight platform combined with a series of engines and transmissions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. It debuted in 2011.MAZDA: Mazda Design , 2011
Since 2019, the CX-5 has been positioned above the smaller CX-30. , depending on the region, the CX-5 is positioned right below the larger CX-50, CX-60 or CX-8 within Mazda's crossover SUV line-up.
Since 2014, the CX-5 has consistently been Mazda’s best-selling model globally. It achieved record sales in 2019, with 444,262 units sold worldwide. As of March 2022, cumulative sales of the CX-5 reached around 3.5 million units.
First generation (KE; 2012)
The concept car, unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, was the first Mazda vehicle to combine the company's Kodo design language and Skyactiv technologies. Its design served as a preview of the CX-5.
In rapid development from 2009 to 2011 under Hideaki Tanaka, and styled under Masashi Nakayama from 2009 to 2010, the CX-5 was first shown at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Japanese model was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, while a customized variant featuring a red exterior body colour, alloy wheels painted in matte black, and a slightly lower body height was unveiled in 2012 at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
It shares the platform used by the third-generation Mazda3 and the third-generation Mazda6.
The production model went on sale in February 2012, with initial choice of a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine or a 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel engine matched to a Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission.
Japanese production of the CX-5 began in January 2012 at the Ujina plant near Mazda's headquarters in Hiroshima. In July 2012, production of the model at Ujina was set to increase to 240,000 units per year by expanding production from Ujina Plant No.2 to Ujina Plant No.1.
During its introduction in February 2012, the CX-5 won the 2012-2013 Car of the Year Japan award.
Facelift The facelifted Mazda CX-5 was unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2016 model. Notable changes include updates to exterior styling, reductions in road noise, improvements made to the infotainment system, and a sport mode for the six-speed automatic transmission. LED headlights, LED fog lights and combination LED tail lights were also offered as for higher trim levels.
In the U.S. and Canada, the update was designated as a 2016.5 model year iteration. The Skyactiv-G 2.5 engine was made standard on all United States trim levels, except the base-level Sport equipped with the six-speed manual transmission and front wheel drive, which retained the 2.0-litre powerplant.
Engine and drivetrain The CX-5 is available with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, powered by the PE-VPS 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engine capable of and averaging an estimated and emitting around 139 g/km of carbon dioxide.
It is also available with the debuting SH-VPTS 2.2-litre two-stage turbocharged diesel engine with either and , or and , emitting an estimated 119 or 139 g/km of CO2, respectively. Fuel consumption for the entry-level diesel engine with front-wheel drive is on the European NEDC combined cycle.
Markets Australia The Australian version of the CX-5 was introduced in 2012 and was available in Maxx, Maxx Sport, Grand Touring and Akera trim levels. Initial models were available with either a 2.0 L petrol engine or a diesel engine, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive as options (FWD was only available with a 2.0-equipped CX-5). An automatic transmission was standard on all-wheel drive models, with manual available on the 2.0 Maxx FWD petrol).
Europe Early European models included a choice of Skyactiv-G 2.0 and Skyactiv-D 2.2 engines.
Japan The Japan domestic market CX-5 achieved monthly sales eight times higher than forecast just after its launch in February 2012, with the Skyactiv-D 2.2 diesel engine marketed as a "clean diesel" accounted for 73 percent of the sales.
Malaysia The first-generation CX-5 was launched in Malaysia in May 2012 as a fully imported model. At launch, only one trim level was offered, with the 2.0 L Skyactiv-G engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with a choice of FWD or AWD. In June 2013, locally assembled models became available. The fully imported trim was renamed to High Spec, and a new lower trim level, Mid Spec, was launched. The Mid Spec was only available with FWD, while the High Spec continued to be offered with both FWD and AWD. In April 2015, a new base variant, dubbed the GL, was launched.
The first-generation facelift was launched in Malaysia in May 2015. Initially, the facelift version was fully imported and only available with the 2.5 L engine, but again, consumers could choose between FWD or AWD. The locally assembled facelift version was made available in early 2016 with either a 2.0 L Skyactiv-G engine or a 2.5 L Skyactiv-G engine. The 2.0 L engine could be had with only FWD but two trim levels: Mid Spec and High Spec, with Mid Spec being the more affordable of the two. The 2.5 L engine was only available with one trim level, but with either FWD or AWD. In July 2016, a 2.2 L Skyactiv-D powered, FWD, locally assembled variant was launched in Malaysia. It was positioned in between the 2.5 L Skyactiv-G FWD and 2.5 L Skyactiv-G AWD variant.
North America The CX-5 debuted in the U.S. in November 2011 at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. Initially, the only engine available was a direct-injected Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre inline-four petrol engine with . It is rated at in city and highway with the automatic transmission, which increases to with the manual transmission.
For the 2014 model year, an optional 2.5-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv petrol engine was introduced to address the main criticism of the CX-5, lack of power. It is rated at and , with EPA MPG ratings of for the front-wheel drive model, decreasing to with all-wheel drive. Only the six-speed automatic transmission is available for this engine, which is standard on the Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. The base Sport trim level is still offered with the 2.0 L engine. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are offered for all trim levels.
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 was one of the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year awarded by the Green Car Journal at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Safety
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2013 CX-5 achieved Good crash test ratings in the Moderate Overlap Front, Side, Roof Strength, and Head Restraint & Seats categories, while achieving only a Marginal rating in the Small Overlap Front crash test. Design changes were subsequently made that brought up the Small Overlap Front rating up to a Good rating.
The small overlap test, introduced in 2012 by the IIHS, simulates a frontal collision on 25 percent of the driver's side front corner. Since its adoption, the IIHS has noticed several automakers making non-symmetrical modifications to their vehicles to improve ratings. Another small overlap test was conducted on a number of vehicles, including a 2015 CX-5, but was conducted on the passenger side instead and earned an acceptable rating. Testing showed substantially more intrusion into the passenger side than into the driver's side of the CX-5.
Second generation (KF; 2016)
The second-generation CX-5 was unveiled with an overhauled design and new technologies on 15 November 2016, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The model is available with 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol, 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol and 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel engines. New features include a new 'Soul Red Crystal' paint colour as well as a new remote-controlled powered tailgate.
In November 2018, Mazda added a new turbocharged petrol engine option from the CX-9 for the 2019 model year CX-5. It is a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G turbocharged four-cylinder unit which produces at 5,000 rpm on 93 AKI octane fuel and 227 hp on 87 AKI. Under U.S. fuel economy standards, Mazda claims the new engine delivers in city, highway and combined, respectively with AWD, regardless of octane.
Facelift In September 2021, Mazda revealed a facelift for the second-generation CX-5 with updated styling and kit. Highlights include restyled bumpers and tailgate with new headlights and tail lights, larger tailpipes, a new Mi-Drive drive selector control, updated seats, and wireless charging. It is also equipped with revised suspension. The dampening control structure was improved and frame rigidity was increased, helping to reduce vibrations and road noise.
Markets
Americas
Mexico The second-generation CX-5 was launched in Mexico in March 2017, with three trim levels: i, i Sport and Grand Touring. Two engine options were available: a 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol and a 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol. In November 2018, the 2.5T Skyactiv-G petrol was introduced in Mexico for the Signature trim.
The facelifted CX-5 debuted in Mexico on 13 January 2022 with variants remained unchanged from the pre-facelift model.
North America In the U.S., the 2017 CX-5 was offered with front-wheel or all-wheel drive in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trims. The Sport and Touring models came with 17-inch wheels, while the GT had 19-inch wheels. The 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine with VVT was the only choice offered for the 2017 model year.
Mazda announced the availability of a diesel engine for 2017; however, that engine did not arrive in the US until the 2019 model year. The diesel engine was only sold for the 2019 model year and was only offered on the Signature trim level. Mazda cited low consumer demand as well as emissions certification issues.
In 2017, for the 2018 model year, Mazda added standard cylinder deactivation and made the i-Activsense Package available on the Sport trim.
In 2018, for the 2019 model year, Mazda made available a new turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine and added new Grand Touring Reserve and Signature range-topping trims. A torque vectoring system marketed as G-Vectoring Control Plus was also added on all models.
Changes in 2019 for the 2020 model year included a new key fob design, an updated font used throughout the vehicle, a new Cylinder Deactivation System status display in the infotainment system. Mazda also made automatic headlights, i-Activsense safety features, and automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard and the Grand Touring trim received paddle shifters. Mazda claimed to have also improved road noise, vibration, and harshness across all trims. The Grand Touring Reserve trim received a new Engine Harmonics Enhancer to simulate engine noise, a new off-road traction assist system, and a new eight-inch infotainment system.
In 2020 for the 2021 model year, Mazda introduced a new standard 10.25-inch infotainment system with new Mazda Connect Software. A new Touring Preferred SV Package was offered as well as a new Carbon Edition trim, which offered exclusive exterior and interior styling elements. Models equipped with the 2.5 Turbo engine received a new turbo badge. Signature trims received new safety features such as reverse automatic braking and driver attention alert as well as improved clarity for the 360-degree camera.
In 2021 for the 2022 model year, Mazda introduced new 17-inch wheels for the S trim. All models became equipped with standard all-wheel drive and horsepower for the turbo engine was increased from while using 93 octane fuel. Mazda also revised the naming of trims.
In 2022 for the 2023 model year, Mazda has introduced a new colour Rhodium White.