The Mazda CX-5: A Brand's Biggest Seller Takes a Genuine Risk
All three reviews land on the same uncomfortable truth: the car that couldn't afford to disappoint longtime buyers has made exactly the kind of change those buyers were least likely to want.
Illustration for editorial purposes
Five Million Sold, and Still a Gamble
Redesigning a manufacturer's best-selling model anywhere in the world is rarely a low-stakes decision. Reviewers keep circling back to how much this generation stood to lose if it got the changes wrong.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Mid-size SUV |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L mild-hybrid petrol (139bhp) |
| Transmission | Automatic, FWD or AWD |
| 0–62mph | 10.5 sec |
| Warranty | 6 years / 100,000 miles |
| Boot space | Increased over the outgoing generation |
Full Review Summary
Autocar
Autocar found the mild-hybrid engine's modest output means the car is at its best driven smoothly, with strong low-to-mid-range torque letting the transmission shift up early for serene, low-drama progress. They noted the new central touchscreen has absorbed almost every physical control except a handful of buttons for the rear demister and hazards, a change they found works well enough in practice but sacrifices the tactile ease of the old car's knurled metal knobs. Interior space grew meaningfully thanks to a longer wheelbase, addressing a genuine limitation of the outgoing model.
What Car?
What Car? rated interior space a clear strength over rivals like the Qashqai, with noticeably more rear head and legroom plus a larger boot. They flagged the removal of physical controls as a controversial choice likely to divide existing owners, and rated the previous generation's strong reliability survey placement as a promising sign, though noted this new version was too recent to have its own data yet. The six-year warranty was seen as generous, if still short of Kia and Toyota's longer offerings.
Top Gear
Top Gear was the most critical of the three, describing the chassis as surprisingly unengaging and undermining Mazda's own efforts to improve ride comfort, with the mild-hybrid engine specifically criticised as sluggish and noisy under load. They called the switch to touchscreen-only controls a genuine misstep for a brand whose appeal has traditionally rested on simplicity, and suggested existing owners hold off upgrading until a promised full-hybrid version arrives.
🎬 Watch: MotorWeek's Mazda CX-5 review (same video, watch above ↗)
Trims & Engines at a Glance
Unlike hybrid-offering rivals from Nissan, Citroen, Vauxhall, Kia and Hyundai, the new CX-5 comes with just one engine — the choice is trim and drivetrain, not powertrain.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 Prime-Line / Centre-Line (FWD) | 2.5L 4-cyl mild-hybrid petrol, FWD | 139bhp | 6-speed automatic | SUV | 10.5s |
| CX-5 Exclusive-Line / Homura (FWD or AWD) | 2.5L 4-cyl mild-hybrid petrol, FWD or AWD | 139bhp | 6-speed automatic | SUV | 10.5s (FWD) |
All-wheel drive is a £200–£2,000 option limited to Exclusive-Line and Homura trims. Every version sits in the top 37% Benefit-in-Kind band, with no hybrid, PHEV or EV option offered. A broad exterior colour range is offered. Check Mazda's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Meaningfully more interior space than the outgoing generation
- Smooth, low-drama driving character when not pushed hard
- Strong reliability reputation for the outgoing model
- Generous six-year warranty
Weak points
- Removal of physical controls in favour of touchscreen-only
- Modest engine feels strained under harder acceleration
- Chassis less engaging than the outgoing model, per some reviewers
- No hybrid option available yet
Who It Actually Suits
Existing CX-5 owners considering an upgrade should weigh the control layout change carefully before committing, and drivers who valued the old car's chassis feel specifically should test drive before assuming this generation improves on it. Buyers prioritising interior space and a smooth, easy driving style will find plenty to like.
Common Mazda CX-5 Parts & Costs
- Mazda CX-5 Alternator
- Mazda CX-5 Battery
- Mazda CX-5 Brake Discs
- Mazda CX-5 Brake Pads
- Mazda CX-5 Cabin Air Filter
- Mazda CX-5 Clutch Kit
- Mazda CX-5 Engine Mount
- Mazda CX-5 Exhaust System
- Mazda CX-5 Fog Lights
- Mazda CX-5 Front Bumper
- Mazda CX-5 Front Suspension
- Mazda CX-5 Fuel Pump
- Mazda CX-5 Grille
- Mazda CX-5 Headlights
- Mazda CX-5 Master Clutch Cylinder
- Mazda CX-5 Radiator
- Mazda CX-5 Rear Bumper
- Mazda CX-5 Rear Shock Absorber
- Mazda CX-5 Rear Springs
- Mazda CX-5 Slave Clutch Cylinder
- Mazda CX-5 Spark Plugs
- Mazda CX-5 Starter Motor
- Mazda CX-5 Tail Lights
- Mazda CX-5 Timing Belt
- Mazda CX-5 Wing Mirror
More Mazda Reviews
Watch the Reviews
Mazda CX-5 review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)