In this video, I talk about the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and cover what’s new for 2021, pros and cons, reliability, resale value, and price and trim.

Basics
Exterior Styling
Interior
Size
Pros
Cons
Reliability
Resale Value
Price & Trim
Conclusion

Basics - The CX-5 is the best selling vehicle in Mazda’s lineup. It’s a compact SUV that is in the same class as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and the Nissan Rogue.

The 2021 CX-5 brings about a new 10.25” infotainment system replacing the 2020 model’s 7” display. For 2021, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in every trim.

2021 CX-5 also introduces a new trim called the Carbon Edition. It features an exclusive Polymetal Gray paint color and 19” black alloy wheels. The interior is outfitted with red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trimming on the dash and door panels. The Carbon Edition is great because it’s the least expensive way to get the more powerful turbo engine that was previously available only on the top two trims.

The Mazda CX-5 offers two engine options. The standard powertrain is the 2.5L normally aspirated 4 cylinder with 187 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque. The up level engine is Mazda’s torquey 2.5L turbocharged 4 cylinder producing 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque.

Both engines can be had with front wheel drive or all wheel drive. The only transmission is a 6 speed automatic.

Fuel economy is 25 city, 31 highway and 28 combined for the front wheel drive base engine and 24 city, 30 highway, and 26 combined for the all wheel drive base engine.

If you go up to the Turbo, you will get 23 city, 28 highway and 25 combined for the front wheel drive and lose one MPG with all wheel drive.

Interior - The upscale look and material quality is again not the usual traditional automaker but more luxury nameplate. Just look at the interior and if you compared it to the CR-V or the RAV-4, the CX-5 stands out. Mazda’s been really going upscale and you can tell as soon as you open the door that the feel is a class above the usual suspects. The big improvement for 2021 is that 10.25” center screen. It is no longer a touchscreen like the previous version but uses the rotary dial to control the interface.


Size - The CX-5’s interior dimensions are on the smaller side for this compact SUV segment. There’s 39.7” of headroom in the front and 39 inches in the rear. Legroom is 41” in the front and 39.6” in the rear.
Those numbers are average for the segment. The Subaru Forester will have significantly more room than the CX-5.

As for cargo space, the CX-5 is below average for the segment. Behind the rear seats, there’s 30.9 cubic feet of space and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. If you want a lot of cargo space, you’ll find 10 to 15 more cubic feet more in the competition.

Pros - There are several reasons why you may want to pick the CX-5 over the competition. First, it’s one of the best looking SUVs inside and out. Second, the CX-5 is universally praised for its superior driving dynamics. If steering feel and handling is important in your crossover, the CX-5 should be at the top of your list.



Cons - The CX-5 packaging is not as efficient as the competition. The exterior size is about the same as the CR-V or the Forester but the CS-5’s interior space is significantly smaller. Another con for the CX-5 is the fuel economy is so-so. The all wheel drive base engine gets 26 mpg versus the RAV4’s 30 mpg or the Forester’s 29 mpg.

Reliability - The CX-5 has an expected reliability of much better than average according to CR. It has held that mark for several years which is impressive.

Resale Value - The CX-5 has good expected resale value after 3 years of ownership at 67.3% retained value. After 5 years, it dips to 48.5% which is average. After 7 years, it’s at 38.3% retained value which is average. The RAV4 and CR-V will be worth significantly more if you tend to hang on to your vehicle longer.


Price and Trim - The CX-5 Sport is the base model and it starts at $25,270. Add $1,400 for all wheel drive. What’s nice for 2021 is this base Sport model includes the same 10.25” large center screen with AppleCarPlay and Android Auto.

The Sport trim has a lot of standard features including Mazda’s radar cruise control with stop and go function, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian

The next trim is the CX-5 Touring which starts at $27,010 and adds
The new for 2021 CX-5 Carbon Edition adds that special gray paint, red
The Grand Touring starts at $30,460 and adds a 10 speaker Bose audio system, leather seats, moonroof, power liftgate, LED tail lights, fog lights, heated mirror, and 19” silver wheels.

The Grand Touring Reserve starts at $35,285 and it adds the Turbo engine as well as all wheel drive.

The top of the line CX-5 Signature comes in at $37,405 and adds driver attention alert.
#cx5 #2021cx5 #mazdacx5

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