Written by Marco Carvajal
The New 2023 Mazda CX-5
The elegant compact crossover SUV Mazda CX-5 continues as a best seller within the Mazda brand, in a demanding compact SUV segment that becomes more competitive every day with the rapid and continues grow of SUVs versus sedans.
There are a lot of reasons why the CX-5 is the best-selling Mazda automobile in the U.S., let’s start with great value, low and flexible pricing through eight trim models, standard AWD, tons of standard features, and everything that goes into the eyes, this car is just beautiful with a killer look!
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is now more powerful with i-Active all-wheel drive standard, and the available turbo engine standard on the top trims Turbo and Turbo Signature that I am driving.
Not everyone wants a compact crossover SUV, however, there are a lot of pros that car drivers appreciate when buying in this segment, especially solo or small-group drivers. A small SUV is fast, easy to maneuver, and super easy to park in compact parking spaces. The CX-5 is faster with the help of aerodynamic design balancing with air forces and its powerful engine.
Car companies like Mazda must work hard with the challenge of producing the best cars for the best value price in order to attract new customers. Who wins? the end user! new car buyers can enjoy better cars with more features for a lower price.
The CX-5 has a lot of pros, it is beautiful with a signature modern design, it is not an expensive car and it is built with good quality and with the potential of having a long life. As opposed to certain luxury brands, a Mazda car will always be easy to repair with low-cost maintenance. The Mazda CX-5 will compete in looks and appeal with many luxury SUVs for half of the purchase price and with long-time peace of mind knowing that your bank account won’t be hurt when a major repair will come in the future.
Mazda is known for producing very attractive cars that look very expensive but actually have a lower purchase cost than many other automobiles, that is what I called value and smart production.
The unique front grill of the CX-5 is very attractive, and the 19-inch alloy wheels and the general exterior design make this SUV very appealing. The 2023 CX-5 brings joy to a driver looking for agility in a vehicle. It also offers a high-quality interior, precise handling, and a competitive price with eight trim models from $26K up to $39K. This little crossover gives you the same pleasure you might get from a small sporty sedan, with the added benefit of space to carry everything you need.
The CX-5 is a very interesting car model, it remains an excellent choice for a small SUV. It’s still one of the best you can find in its segment.
The Mazda CX5 was the first model from the Japanese brand, featuring the “Kodo” design language and the first model to be fully developed with a range of Skyactiv-branded technologies, including a rigid and lightweight platform combined with a series of engines. and transmissions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
CX-5 Trims and Pricing
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is a five-passenger CUV (crossover) produced in eight different and convenient trim models:
S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, Premium Plus, Turbo, and Turbo Signature, the one I am test driving.
The Turbo Signature model I am driving includes upgraded leather upholstery, wood trim, ambient interior lighting, a navigation system, a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors, and rear automatic braking.
Mazda’s pricing is smart, producing a car for almost every budget. You can buy the base CX-5 for only $26K but if you decide to have a high-end engine and premium features then the top of the line, Mazda CX-5 Turbo Engine Signature can be yours for $39K MSRP.
You can definitely find different levels of choices, options, and features on the CX-5 lineup with interesting models like the Carbon Edition, Turbo, or the CX-5 Turbo Signature model I am driving.
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S
$26,700 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Select
$28,500 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Preferred
$29,590 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Carbon Edition
$31,100 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium
$33,000 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
2.5 S Premium Plus
$35,500 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
Turbo
$36,850 Starting MSRP
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
Turbo Signature
$39,650 Starting MSRP
Performance
The standard powertrain engine produces 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo and Turbo Signature versions produce a higher 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque or 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on 93 octane fuel. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The turbocharged engine gets the CX-5 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, pretty fast for a small SUV.
The CX-5 ride quality is firm and comfortable with good suspension with good cushioning. Handling is one of the places where the CX-5 excels. You can corner at speeds faster than its rivals without screeching your tires or feeling like you’re out of control. The Mazda CX-5 is unfazed by fast left-right transitions with great handling onboard this small crossover.
Fuel Economy consumption: 22 MPG city and 27 MPG highway
Technology and Safety
When we look at a car, we usually pay more attention to the external bodywork, wheels, engine, and all of those elements that look sporty and big, but behind every good car there have to be good technology and safety systems, and those small chips and smart systems might cost more and be worth more when buying a new car.
Mazda offers good technology on the CX-5, it brings a mixture of value, beauty, and good quality, giving you all the most important technology you need.
The infotainment system is generally easy to use, and the 10.25-inch display screen is bright and attractive. The available integrated navigation system is also easy to understand. When the CX-5 is equipped with a head-up display can project turn instructions directly onto the windshield, an amazing feature.
Mazda’s voice control system is based on natural speech recognition, and it’s good at entering destinations, calling people, and tuning radio stations.
In addition to the airbags, this car comes with frontal collision mitigation, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. The ease of use of the CX-5’s advanced driver aids is mixed value.
The Lane Departure Warning System emits a unique, low-pitched buzzer that really gets your attention. But the blind spot monitor is too sensitive, even triggering when passing vehicles several cars behind.
Style and Design
The interior cab of this compact SUV is driver-oriented with all controls within easy reach, car makers are paying a lot of attention to giving easy access to the dashboard and controls to the driver, creating a center of control around the driver seat. The CX-5 manufacturer didn’t forget this trend and definitely focus on the driver being the center of the cabin.
The CX-5 is roomy in the front, and there’s enough headroom for tall people. The front seats are well-formed and comfortable. The rear seat bench is flat on the bottom, which can make long-distance driving uncomfortable for rear passengers but for regular or short trips should be fine. The back of the rear seat can be reclined for more comfort and space.
A raised driving position, tall windows, and narrow pillars make it easy to see from the outside. The rear windows are a bit smaller than the competition. The resolution of the rear camera is sharp and clear.
The CX-5 has a cargo area that’s a bit smaller than the competition, but a couple of suitcases can fit without a problem.
Starting with Mazda’s logo, car body, and interior tech, everything looks very attractive and modern, when you go inside a Mazda automobile like the CX-5 you can smell beauty and style everywhere, and not for an expensive cost.
