Mazda CX-5
14 model years from 2013 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2013–2026
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Latest engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 26–29 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 8 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2016 (511)
- Fewest problems
- 2022
- Interest
- 21,393 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 CX-5 in brief
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,852 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (24 city / 30 highway), 0% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Mazda CX-5 has 14 model years in our data, from 2013 to 2026, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD.
Its most efficient year was 2019 at 29 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 26 to 29 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (583), electrical system (434), unknown or other (388).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2016 has the most recalls (4); all years together count 8 campaigns and 2,333 owner complaints.
How the 2013 CX-5 compares
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,536 lb (4dr SUV Gs/GT AWD).
About the Mazda CX-5
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.
From the Wikipedia article "Mazda CX-5", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 CX-5 pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 CX-5
46 owner complaints · 0 recalls · 1 fire report · 4 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2016 CX-5
511 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 10 fire reports · 31 crash reports
Most reported: Exterior Lighting
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
CX-5 changes by model year
- 2026
- New body dimensions: 4.7 in longer, wheelbase +4.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 28 to 26
- 2024
- Best combined MPG up from 26 to 28
- 2023
- Lightest version 236 lb heavier
- 2022
- Best combined MPG down from 28 to 26
- 2020
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 2.2L 4-cyl turbo
- 2019
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- 2018
- New diesel version
- Engine added: 2.2L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 27 to 29
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2017
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 29 to 27
- 2014
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 14 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 26 MPG | 184.6 in | 3,852 lb | Not rated | 0 | 17 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 179.9 in | 3,673 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 29 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 179.9 in | 3,673 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 46 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 179.9 in | 3,673 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 67 |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,594 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 65 |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,594 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 148 |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,594 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 108 |
| 2019 | 2.2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 29 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,532 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 272 |
| 2018 | 2.2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,318 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 352 |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 27 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,437 lb | Not rated | 1 | 150 |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,437 lb | Not rated | 4 | 511 |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,536 lb | Not rated | 3 | 123 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,536 lb | Not rated | 3 | 306 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 179.1 in | 3,536 lb | Not rated | 1 | 139 |
Alternatives to the 2026 CX-5
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →



