2025 Mazda CX-5 Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 represents the ninth model year for the crossover’s second generation. It’s sold alongside the slightly bigger Mazda CX-50 in the compact crossover segment.

Since it was introduced for the 2017 model, the current CX-5 has received numerous updates and improvements over time, and it’s become the brand’s best-selling vehicle in Canada.

2025 Mazda CX-5 Changes and Updates

After benefitting from a bunch of changes for the 2024 model year, the CX-5 is untouched for 2025. Last year, Mazda tweaked the crossover’s suspension, added a touchscreen display to facilitate the use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims as well as wireless phone projection on upper trims, and revised the exterior appearance of the GT and Signature, among other things.

Although a next-generation Mazda CX-5 is in preparation for other markets, it’s unclear if it will be available in North America.

2025 Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels and Pricing

In Canada, the CX-5 is available in GX, GS, Kuro, GT, Design Sportif, Suna Edition and Signature.

The Kuro includes the equipment list of the GS with the Comfort Package, while adding a blacked-out appearance. The Sport Design builds on the GT with a more powerful engine, additional black exterior trim and red interior stitching. The Suna Edition also picks up the GT’s feature list, but gets the more powerful engine in addition to exclusive Zircon Sand paint and Terracotta leather with black suede-like accenting. The range-topping Signature benefits from Nappa leather upholstery and Abachi wood trim.

A naturally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder engine is found in the GX and GS, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the Kuro and GT feature the same engine, but with cylinder deactivation and automatic stop/start to lower fuel consumption. The Sport Design, Suna Edition and Signature variants get a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine generating 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque when fed with regular fuel, or 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet with premium 93-octane gasoline. A six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drivetrain are standard across all trim levels in Canada.

2025 Mazda CX-5 Specifications

2025 Mazda CX-5 Warranty Coverage

In Canada, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 is covered by a 3-year/unlimited km Comprehensive Limited Warranty and a 5-year/unlimited km Powertrain Limited Warranty. In addition, the CX-5 is backed by a 7-year/unlimited km Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.

24-hour roadside assistance is offered on the CX-5 for 3 years and unlimited km in Canada.

What the 2025 Mazda CX-5 Does Well

• The CX-5 is fun to drive. It feels nimble on the road and its handling abilities make it stand out in the compact crossover segment. The turbocharged engine adds a layer of straight-line performance to the mix as well.
• Despite its age, we think the CX-5 still looks good. The exterior design distinguishes itself from the competition, yet its styling will age well over time. The crossover’s interior design and quality finish could arguably be transposed into luxury-branded vehicles. There’s definitely a premium look and feel here.
• It may be a reactive system, but the CX-5’s i-Activ all-wheel drivetrain adeptly handles winter driving situations. It can shift available torque from the front wheels to the rear ones as needed, in a matter of milliseconds, while the system scans for wheel slippage 200 times per second.
• The IIHS gave the CX-5 a Top Safety Pick+ rating, its highest possible recognition, for the crossover’s occupant protection in the event of a crash. Recently, stricter crash test procedures stripped the CX-5 of its award, but it remains a very safe vehicle.

What the 2025 Mazda CX-5 Doesn’t Do Well

• If passenger room is what we’re looking for, the Mazda won’t be our saviour. The CX-5 is among the smallest in the compact crossover category, with tight rear-seat legroom as the most obvious shortcoming.
• The CX-5 also isn’t a cargo carrying champ. Only the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and, ironically, the Mazda CX-50, have lower maximum cargo volume ratings.
• Our real-world testing resulted in better averages than advertised, but fuel economy isn’t the CX-5’s forte. The GT and Kuro are the most frugal because they include cylinder deactivation and automatic stop/start. The turbo engine burns more fuel than the Ford Escape’s turbo 2.0L engine, at least on paper, and in normal driving situations, it doesn’t feel all that much more powerful than the base powerplant. Simply put, unless we’re always in a hurry and driving accordingly, the turbo engine isn’t necessary.
• The raked windshield and wide front pillars reduce frontward visibility, especially when turning on street corners and negotiating intersections.

2025 Mazda CX-5 Competition

The CX-5 competes with the Buick Envision, the Chevrolet Equinox, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Ford Bronco Sport, the Ford Escape, the GMC Terrain, the Honda CR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, the Jeep Compass, the Kia Sportage, the Mazda CX-50, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Nissan Rogue, the Subaru Forester, the Toyota RAV4 and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

2025 Mazda CX-5

1 of 13