The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is the best CX-5 model year, with the 2024 at #2 and the 2022 2.5 Turbo Signature at #3. The 2025 has standard all-wheel drive, the 187-horsepower 2.5-liter engine and 28 combined mpg, and NHTSA lists just 28 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns for it.
Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four, 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft (2.0-liter on the Sport manual)
The refreshed first-generation look with standard backup camera on automatic models (2016.5)
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2025 Mazda CX-5 (KF)
Best runner-up
2024 Mazda CX-5 (KF)
Best turbo
2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature (KF)
Best value
2021 Mazda CX-5 (KF)
Best diesel
2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Skyactiv-D (KF)
Best first generation
2015 Mazda CX-5 (KE)
The ranking
1
2025 Mazda CX-5 (KF)
Answrs VerdictThe best CX-5 year.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four with cylinder deactivation, 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft; 2.5 Turbo with 256 horsepower on 93 octaneWhen new: $29,050 starting MSRP; the entry 2.5 S returned, all-wheel drive standard, dual front USB-C ports and Rear Seat Alert standardEPA fuel economy: 26 city / 30 highway / 28 combined mpg (2.5 S AWD with cylinder deactivation)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed for the 2025 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 28 owner complaints listed for the 2025 CX-5
The 2025 CX-5 started at $29,050 with the return of the entry 2.5 S. Every 2025 CX-5 has all-wheel drive and the 187-horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter with cylinder deactivation, rated 28 combined mpg, plus dual front USB-C ports and Rear Seat Alert. It is the last year of the second generation (KF).
Go ifThe fewest NHTSA owner complaints of any CX-5 year ranked here, and the last second-generation (KF) year
Skip ifYou want the lowest price for the same facelifted design (2024)
Why #1 over #2: NHTSA lists 28 owner complaints for the 2025 versus 44 for the 2024, with 0 recall campaigns for both.
2
2024 Mazda CX-5 (KF)
Answrs VerdictThe runner-up.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four, 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft, with i-Stop new for 2024When new: $29,300 starting MSRP; standard i-Activ all-wheel drive; i-Stop new for 2024EPA fuel economy: 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined mpg (2.5 S AWD)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed for the 2024 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 44 owner complaints listed for the 2024 CX-5
For 2024 Mazda added i-Stop to the 2.5-liter, raising it to 28 combined mpg, and kept standard i-Activ all-wheel drive. It started at $29,300, and the 2023-2024 CX-5 earned a good rating in the updated IIHS moderate front overlap test.
Go ifStandard AWD, standard i-Activsense and a good rating in the updated IIHS moderate overlap test
Skip ifYou want the fewest owner complaints (2025 lists 28)
Why #2 over #3: NHTSA lists 44 owner complaints for the 2024 versus 64 for the 2022, and it rates 28 combined mpg versus 24 for the 2.5 Turbo.
3
2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature (KF)
Answrs VerdictThe luxury pick.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo: 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane, 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on 87 octaneWhen new: $38,650 MSRP; first facelift year, with Caturra Brown Nappa leather, genuine woodgrain and bright silver 19-inch wheelsEPA fuel economy: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg (2.5 Turbo AWD)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed for the 2022 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 64 owner complaints listed for the 2022 CX-5
The 2.5 Turbo Signature topped the facelifted 2022 line at $38,650. Its Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo makes 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane, and the cabin gets Caturra Brown Nappa leather, genuine woodgrain and bright silver 19-inch wheels.
Go ifThe 256-horsepower turbo with the top-trim Nappa leather cabin
Skip ifYou want 28 combined mpg (2024 onward)
Why #3 over #4: Its 256 horsepower beats the 2021’s 187, and NHTSA lists 64 owner complaints versus 148.
4
2021 Mazda CX-5 (KF)
Answrs VerdictThe value pick.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four, 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ftWhen new: $25,270 starting MSRP; new standard 10.25-inch center display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; i-Activsense safety features standardEPA fuel economy: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg (2.5L AWD)NHTSA recalls: 0 recall campaigns listed for the 2021 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 148 owner complaints listed for the 2021 CX-5
The 2021 CX-5 started at $25,270 and brought a new standard 10.25-inch center display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 187-horsepower 2.5-liter is standard, along with i-Activsense safety features such as radar cruise control and Blind Spot Monitoring.
Go ifThe 10.25-inch display and standard i-Activsense from $25,270
Skip ifYou want the facelifted design and standard AWD (2022 onward)
Why #4 over #5: NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2021 versus 3 for the 2018, and it adds the standard 10.25-inch display.
5
2018 Mazda CX-5 (KF)
Answrs VerdictThe budget KF.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four with new cylinder deactivationWhen new: $24,150 starting MSRP; Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert standard on every modelEPA fuel economy: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg (2.5L AWD)NHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listed for the 2018 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 120 owner complaints listed for the 2018 CX-5
The 2018 CX-5 started at $24,150 and added cylinder deactivation to the 2.5-liter engine. Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert became standard on every model, and the 2018 CX-5 with the Adaptive Front-lighting System built after March 2018 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifStandard blind-spot monitoring and cylinder deactivation from $24,150
Skip ifYou want the 10.25-inch display (2021 onward)
Why #5 over #6: NHTSA lists 120 owner complaints for the 2018 versus 270 for the 2019, and it started at $24,150 versus $41,000 for the diesel Signature.
6
2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Skyactiv-D (KF)
Answrs VerdictThe diesel rarity.
Engine: Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter twin-turbo diesel, 168 horsepower and 290 lb-ft at 2,000 rpmWhen new: $41,000 MSRP; offered only as the CX-5 Signature AWDEPA fuel economy: 27 city / 30 highway / 28 combined mpg (Skyactiv-D AWD)NHTSA recalls: 2 recall campaigns listed for the 2019 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 270 owner complaints listed for the 2019 CX-5
Mazda brought the Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel to the U.S. in the 2019 CX-5 Signature AWD, with 168 horsepower and 290 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. It cost $41,000, rated 28 combined mpg, and was sold for the 2019 model year only.
Go ifThe only diesel CX-5 sold in the U.S., with 290 lb-ft of torque
Why #6 over #7: It rates 28 combined mpg versus 26 for the 2015, and NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns versus 4.
7
2015 Mazda CX-5 (KE)
Answrs VerdictThe best KE.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four with 6-speed automatic (AWD)When new: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (the CX-5 earned it every year from 2014 to 2019); starting price not published in Mazda’s U.S. newsroomEPA fuel economy: 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg (2.5L AWD)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed for the 2015 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 133 owner complaints listed for the 2015 CX-5
The 2015 is the last first-generation (KE) CX-5 before the 2016 refresh, offered here with the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four. The 2.5-liter AWD rates 26 combined mpg, and the CX-5 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ from 2014 to 2019.
Go ifThe best-rated first-generation CX-5 on NHTSA owner complaints
Skip ifYou want the refreshed 2016 styling
Why #7 over #8: NHTSA lists 133 owner complaints for the 2015 versus 194 for the 2013, and it offers the 2.5-liter engine.
8
2013 Mazda CX-5 (KE)
Answrs VerdictThe bargain.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four, 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ftWhen new: $20,695 starting MSRP; all-new first CX-5, rated 35 mpg highway (FWD manual)EPA fuel economy: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg (2.0L AWD)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaigns listed for the 2013 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 194 owner complaints listed for the 2013 CX-5
The all-new 2013 CX-5 started at $20,695 with a 155-horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter and rated 35 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and the manual. It was an IIHS Top Safety Pick in its debut year.
Go ifA $20,695 starting price and just 1 NHTSA recall campaign
Skip ifYou want the 2.5-liter engine (2014 onward)
Why #8 over #9: NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 194 owner complaints for the 2013 versus 4 and 377 for the 2014.
9
2014 Mazda CX-5 (KE)
Answrs VerdictThe first 2.5.
Engine: New Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four on Touring and Grand Touring, 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft; 2.0-liter on SportWhen new: Starting price not published in Mazda’s 2014 CX-5 release; all-new Smart City Brake Support and Pandora addedEPA fuel economy: 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg (2.5L AWD)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed for the 2014 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 377 owner complaints listed for the 2014 CX-5
For 2014 Mazda added a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter with 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft on Touring and Grand Touring models, plus all-new Smart City Brake Support and Pandora. The Sport kept the 2.0-liter.
Go ifThe first CX-5 year with the 184-horsepower 2.5-liter engine
Why #9 over #10: NHTSA lists 377 owner complaints for the 2014 versus 510 for the 2016, and 4 recall campaigns versus 5.
10
2016 Mazda CX-5 (KE)
Answrs VerdictThe refreshed KE.
Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four, 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft (2.0-liter on the Sport manual)When new: $21,795 starting MSRP; refreshed with grille updates, a new standard electronic parking brake and a quieter cabinEPA fuel economy: 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg (2.5L AWD)NHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listed for the 2016 CX-5NHTSA complaints: 510 owner complaints listed for the 2016 CX-5
The refreshed 2016 CX-5 started at $21,795 with grille updates, a new standard electronic parking brake and a quieter cabin, and the Sport automatic got the 184-horsepower 2.5-liter. It was an IIHS 2016 Top Safety Pick+, and the 2016.5 update made a backup camera standard on automatic models.
Go ifThe refreshed first-generation look with standard backup camera on automatic models (2016.5)
We ranked each Mazda CX-5 model year on what it gives a used buyer today: engine, standard equipment, EPA fuel economy, and the number of NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints listed, using Mazda North American Operations press releases, Wikipedia, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA. The facelifted second-generation (KF) 2025, 2024 and 2022 rank first, then the earlier KF years, then the first generation (KE). The old 2020 diesel pick was replaced with the 2019, the only U.S. diesel year. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Mazda CX-5 year?
The 2025 CX-5. It has standard all-wheel drive, the 187-horsepower 2.5-liter engine with cylinder deactivation and 28 combined mpg, and NHTSA lists just 28 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns for it.
Which Mazda CX-5 years have the most complaints?
Among the years ranked here, NHTSA lists 510 owner complaints for the 2016 CX-5 and 377 for the 2014, versus 28 for the 2025. Check any used CX-5 by VIN for open recalls.
Did Mazda sell a diesel CX-5 in the U.S.?
Yes, for the 2019 model year only. The diesel was offered only on the Signature trim, and Mazda cited low consumer demand and emissions certification issues.
Which years are each Mazda CX-5 generation?
The first generation (KE) covers the 2013 to 2016 model years, the second generation (KF) covers 2017 to 2025, and the third generation started with the 2026 model year.
EPA combined fuel economy (AWD) at a glance
2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature (KF)24 mpg
2021 Mazda CX-5 (KF)26 mpg
2018 Mazda CX-5 (KF)26 mpg
2016 Mazda CX-5 (KE)26 mpg
2015 Mazda CX-5 (KE)26 mpg
2014 Mazda CX-5 (KE)26 mpg
2013 Mazda CX-5 (KE)27 mpg
2025 Mazda CX-5 (KF)28 mpg
2024 Mazda CX-5 (KF)28 mpg
2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Skyactiv-D (KF)28 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy (AWD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
