Driven: 2024 Mazda CX-5 – Is It Still Relevant?

The second-generation Mazda CX-5 has been a darling of automotive journalists since it arrived in late 2016 due to it being a small crossover with great style, an above-average interior, and being way more fun to drive than it should be. However, that second-gen CX-5 is now in its eighth year of production, and the competition has mostly caught up. A 2021 facelift introduced updated styling, a new trim, and a standard 10.25-inch infotainment trim, which helped keep it at the top of the pack. A four-cylinder engine is still standard with 187 horsepower, and a turbocharged four-cylinder, making up to 256 hp, is available.

Not much has changed for the CX-5 in 2024, but it gains the Carbon Turbo trim level sent to us for review. It’s easy to spot with its glossy Zircon Sand paint, black exterior accents, and black wheels. As the name suggests, the Carbon Turbo trims come with the turbocharged engine. The CX-5 has held its own for many years now, but the CX-50 exists with its soft-roading chops and very similar pricing – so one has to wonder whether the CX-5 is still relevant.

2024 Mazda CX-5

All-Rounder

Base MSRP

$29,300

Engine

2.5L Inline-4 Gas | 2.5L Turbo Inline-4

Horsepower

187 hp (base) | Up to 256 hp (Turbo)

Torque

185 lb-ft (base) | up to 320 lb-ft (Turbo)

Fuel Economy

26/31/28 mpg (base) | 22/27/24 mpg (Turbo)

Exterior Design

9 / 10

Performance

9 / 10

Fuel Efficiency

7 / 10

Infotainment & Features

8 / 10

Reliability

8 / 10

Safety

10 / 10

Value For Money

10 / 10

Top Speed

129 mph (base) | 143 mph (Turbo)

Transmission

6-speed auto

Drivetrain

AWD

Towing Capacity

2,000 lbs

Curb Weight

3,710 – 3,856 lbs
2024 Mazda CX-50

Soft-Roader

Base MSRP

$30,300

Engine

2.5L Inline-4 Gas | 2.5L Turbo Inline-4

Horsepower

187 hp (base) | Up to 256 hp (Turbo)

Torque

185 lb-ft (base) | Up to 320 lb-ft (Turbo)

Fuel Economy

24/30/27 mpg (base) | 23/29/25 mpg (Turbo)

Exterior Design

9 / 10

Performance

9 / 10

Fuel Efficiency

8 / 10

Infotainment & Features

8 / 10

Reliability

8 / 10

Safety

9 / 10

Value For Money

10 / 10

Top Speed

127 mph (base) | 143 mph (Turbo)

Transmission

6-speed auto

Drivetrain

AWD

Towing Capacity

up to 3,500 lbs

Curb Weight

3,706 – 3,913 lbs

Style: How Does It Still Look So Good?

Eight years have passed since the introduction of the second generation, and that’s a long time in terms of styling, what’s in fashion, and ‘contemporary’ design. Yet, with just one gentle facelift, the CX-5 seemingly hasn’t aged at all. The CX-50 doesn’t outclass the CX-5 in terms of looks, and that’s mainly down to Mazda’s commitment and subtle evolution of its ‘KODO: Soul of Motion‘ design language that arrived with the first CX-5 in 2010. Yes, a Mazda 3 passing you at a certain angle can look like someone has driven into the side of it, but that convex shape across the door gives Mazda cars – the crossovers in particular – the automotive equivalent of cheekbones.

The Carbon trim adds a set of gloss black 19-inch wheels, which we appreciate over other automakers insisting on sticking 21-inch rims with their associated tire costs on top trim models. As well as the obvious black trim, Carbon models also come with a power moonroof and power lift gate.

Interior: Setting The Standard

Until recently, if you wanted an interior that excelled in terms of affordable functionality, you would go with Mazda. The brand pushed others to think more about its interior design and materials, but while Hyundai gets into the same ballpark, Mazda sets the standard with simple elegance that punches above its weight. Inside, there’s good space up front so elbows aren’t bumping, and room for a couple of tall teenagers in the back. However, other compact crossovers have grown, and if space is a key ingredient to the perfect daily driver, the Honda CR-V has more to offer.

However, if you’re looking at top trims, the CX-5 Carbon’s Terracotta leather seats with synthetic suede inserts are a visual treat and physically exceptionally comfortable. Ergonomically, the CX-5 has advanced a little bit with ease of use for the controls, particularly with climate adjustment, but the difference isn’t enough to complain about.

Infotainment: Justification

The CX-5 uses a 10.25-inch landscape-oriented display pushed forward near the windscreen, and it isn’t a touchscreen. The justification is a good one – touchscreens can be distracting to use, and the screen being placed there means you don’t have to drop your eyes as far from the road as a typical touch display demands. To interact with the infotainment system, you use a control wheel cleverly located on the center console, which works great – most of the time. If you want to pause the song or podcast you’re listening to, that would normally be a single-touch operation on a touchscreen, but here, unless the controller is already hovering on that selection, you have to wheel around and look at the screen for longer.

Generally, though, we like the system. Its lack of depth is good for those who don’t want to get into the minutiae of settings. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, so it covers the basics nicely and is easy to use.

Under The Hood: Happiness

The standard non-turbocharged 187-hp four-cylinder engine is enough for the Mazda CX-5, and with its throttle response, it feels quicker than it is. However, the turbocharged version does add a bit of spice and more confidence when it comes to overtaking slow traffic. As standard, it makes 227 hp but you can bump that up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft when you fill up with premium 93 octane fuel.

Mazda CX-5 Specs At A Glance
	2.5L NA 4-Cylinder	2.5L Turbo 4-Cylinder
Horsepower	187 hp	227 hp – 87 octane 256 hp – 93 octane
Torque	185 lb-ft	310 lb-ft – 87 octane 320 lb-ft – 93 octane
Transmission	6-speed Auto	6-speed Auto
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Top Speed	129 mph	142 mph
Gas Mileage	26/31/28 mpg	22/27/24 mpg

Either way, the CX-5 comes with all-wheel-drive and Mazda’s quick-shifting six-speed transmission. We enjoy the throaty air induction growl from the engine when under hard acceleration, but when you want it to be, the engine is quiet and smooth.

On The Road

At the risk of repetition, the CX-5 is still one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers on the market – particularly with the turbocharged engine’s added alacrity. It’s not just on a back road where it shines, though, with its smooth and responsive engine and transmission combo and steering that feels like it’s reading your mind. It’s excellent for hustling through the town or city with its minimal size and suspension that’s up to the challenge of rough roads and awkwardly placed speed bumps. Cruising is just as comfortable and fuss-free.

Related Test Drive

Driven: 2024 Mazda CX-50 Balances Adventure And Comfort Perfectly

Prefer off-roading? The CX-50 out-Subarus the Subaru Outback!

Sport mode amps up throttle response to give the transmission a more aggressive shift pattern, but it doesn’t overdo the added weight on the steering. It’s almost hilarious how much fun tossing the CX-5 around is on a back road. The balance and turn in are joyful and there’s plenty of warning before a loss of grip from the tires occurs; the all-wheel-drive system wants to help you, not take over.

Conclusion: Choose Your Own Adventure

The beauty of the CX-5 is in its duality; it suits those who enjoy picking up the pace just as well as it suits those who just want to relax while moving the family around or sitting in traffic. It’s easy to drive, easy to live with, and relatively easy to afford: base models are priced under $30k (excluding destination), while Turbo trims with the more potent engine will cost you at least $37,800. This is just a few hundred bucks down on the CX-50, but given the interior and cargo space, the best reason we can come up with to go for the CX-50 instead is if you want to go a little further off the beaten track.

So, is the Mazda CX-5 still relevant in 2024? Yes, yes, it is. Other automakers have raised their interior and comfort games in the same space, but Mazda still has the fun-to-drive part nailed down. Of course, not everyone wants that in a crossover, so something else may suit them better. However, if you’re in the market, you should test drive the CX-5 and see how it delights: in our opinion, it’s better to drive a fun car sedately than to try to coax excitement from a boring one.