2025 Mazda CX-5 Review: The Sporting Choice
Mazda’s built a reputation on fun-to-drive vehicles, and the 2025 CX-5 compact SUV upholds it. With the optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the CX-5 makes ridiculous power relative to its competition — up to 250 horsepower and 320 pounds-feet of torque with premium gas — and it has the steering and handling to back it up.
But there are several flaws in the CX-5 formula that might make it less appealing to shoppers. For starters, driving fun is not a typical top priority for those considering a compact SUV. Even if it is, however, the CX-5 is smaller than many of its competitors with a hard-to-use backseat. On top of that, the confusing touchscreen/not-a-touchscreen display operation is deeply frustrating to use, with a poor user interface and inconsistent functionality.
You can see how the 2025 Mazda CX-5 performed in a full comparison test of seven compact SUVs, but if you’re focusing on just the CX-5, skip to the point and just check out this video.
0:00 Intro
0:10 Fun to drive? In this economy?
0:52 User experience: bad
2:37 At least the interior feels nice
3:02 Itsy bitsy backseat
3:53 Conclusion
Read the latest car news, videos and expert reviews, from Cars.com’s independent automotive journalists: https://www.cars.com/news/
Find a new or used car near you: https://www.cars.com/shopping/
Follow us on social media!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carsdotcom/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CarsDotCom/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@carsdotcom/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/carsdotcom/
Editorial mission:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.