Mazda CX-5 2024 review
Photo: Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Mazda CX-5 has quietly been one of the smartest buys in the family SUV class for years, and the current model remains a favourite among UK drivers who actually enjoy driving. Where rivals chase touchscreen gimmicks, Mazda focuses on the fundamentals: a lovely chassis, a beautifully built cabin and engines without turbos or hybrid complexity.
The 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol is the engine to have — smooth, rev-happy and honest, paired with a conventional automatic that suits the car's relaxed character. It will not win drag races, but the CX-5 steers with a precision no rival matches and rides with a polish that shames cars costing far more. Inside, the design feels almost premium, with soft-touch materials and physical controls that work with gloves on.
Downsides are modest: the infotainment screen is small by modern standards, rear space is merely adequate, and fuel economy trails the best hybrids. But the CX-5 counters with keen pricing, generous standard equipment and a superb reliability record. For private buyers keeping a car long-term, it is one of the safest bets in the class.
UK price from: £28,500
Specifications
| Engine | 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol |
| Power | 165 PS |
| 0-60 mph | 10.5 seconds |
| Top speed | 121 mph |
| Fuel economy | 40.4 mpg (WLTP combined) |
| CO2 | 158 g/km |
| Boot space | 522 litres |
| Length | 4,575 mm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
Features
- 10.25-inch Mazda Connect display with rotary controller
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Radar cruise control with stop-and-go function
- Heated front seats and heated steering wheel
- Powered tailgate
- Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired)
- Lane-keep assist and blind spot monitoring
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £49.99 | Quality pattern parts widely available from about £30 |
| Oil filter | £9.99 | Change with 5W-30 oil every 12,500 miles or annually |
| Air filter | £18.99 | Easy DIY job taking under ten minutes |
| Spark plugs (set of 4) | £39.99 | Due roughly every 75,000 miles on the Skyactiv-G |
| Wiper blades (pair) | £24.99 | Standard fitment, cheap and easy to replace |
| Tyre (225/65 R17) | £119.99 | Common size, so plenty of keenly priced options |
Pros
- Best handling and steering feel of any mainstream family SUV
- Near-premium cabin quality at mainstream prices
- Excellent long-term reliability record in UK owner surveys
- Simple, proven petrol engine with no hybrid complexity to worry about
Cons
- Infotainment feels a generation behind rivals
- Fuel economy cannot match hybrid competitors
- Rear legroom is only average for the class
- No seven-seat option and no plug-in hybrid in the UK range
