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Mazda CX-5 Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Models & News

Mazda CX-5 Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Models & News

FROM
$36,740

The Mazda CX-5 was a definite late-comer to the mid-size SUV party, not arriving until 2012, by which time it was almost beyond fashionably late.

Luckily for Mazda, it arrived wearing some seriously stylish looks, which have been refined in successive updates. Backed up by a pair of high-tech four-cylinder petrol engines (2.0- and 2.5-litre) and impressive road manners it's become an Aussie family favourite competing with the likes of the evergreen Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester.

The Mazda CX-5 is available in two- and all-wheel drive, across six model grades - Maxx, Maxx Sport, Touring, GT, GT SP, and the flagship Akera.

Prices start at $36,740 for the CX-5 G20 Maxx (fwd) and swell up to $55,150 for the CX-5 G35 Akera Turbo (awd).

6.9L/100km (combined)
SUV
6 Speed Automatic
Unleaded Petrol
Rating Summary
Price and features
8
Practicality
7
Driving
8
Safety
8
Overview
Likes
Pleasant and accessible cabin
Good power and handling
Well equipped
Dislikes
Feels compact inside
Individual storage on the thin side
Thirsty engine

Mazda CX-5 News

TRENDING
This is our first look at the 2026 Mazda CX-5 which is the Japanese brand's new-generation Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage family SUV rival
2 Jul 2025
SPECULATION
Door opens for electric Mazda CX-5 and CX-60 sibling as Japanese brand trademarks series of electric car names in Australia
19 Jun 2025
SPECULATION
New Mazda CX-5 hybrid takes shape: New digital renders show bitter rival to the 2026 Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson hybrids, as it prepares to be revealed this year
19 Jun 2025
UPCOMING MODELS
Is this the 2026 Mazda CX-5 hybrid before you're supposed to see it? Much-anticipated mid-size Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage rival allegedly leaked ahead of its global reveal
18 Jun 2025
UPCOMING MODELS
Price push: Why the cheaper 2026 Mazda CX-60 is brilliant news for Mazda CX-5 Hybrid shoppers
31 May 2025
OPINION
Trade in the SUV, it's people mover time! How the Kia Carnival made the people mover cool and why Chinese brands BYD, XPeng and Zeekr will take it further | Opinion
27 Apr 2025
UPCOMING MODELS
Bigger, boxier, better? 2026 Subaru Outback revealed with SUV design, hybrid powertrain, but can it compete with Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger?
17 Apr 2025
SALES
Mazda is back! Can the brand keep Ford off its back this year with updated 2025 Mazda CX-60, updated BT-50 ute and strong sales of the Mazda CX-3 small SUV?
15 Apr 2025
UPCOMING MODELS
Electric CX-5 sibling arrives to take aim at the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5: 2025 Mazda EZ-60 finally revealed ahead of Shanghai motor show
10 Apr 2025
See all Mazda CX-5 News

Mazda CX-5 Colours

There are four colours available at no extra cost for the 2024 Mazda CX-5 - 'Platinum Quartz Metallic', 'Eternal Blue Mica', 'Deep Crystal Blue Mica' and 'Jet Black Mica'.

The other at cost colour options are 'Rhodium White Metallic', 'Zircon Sand Metallic', 'Soul Red Crystal Metallic', 'Polymetal Grey Metallic' and 'Machine Grey Metallic'.

Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Eternal Blue Mica
Jet Black Mica
Machine Grey Metallic
Platinum Quartz Metallic
Polymetal Grey Metallic
Rhodium White Metallic
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Zircon Sand Metallic

Mazda CX-5 Accessories

Every 2024 Mazda CX-5 is equipped with a wide range of standard accessories including auto LED headlights, keyless start, power-folding side mirrors, a reversing camera, a 10.25-inch multimedia system, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Higher grades also enjoy upgrades like dual-zone air-conditioning, built-in satellite navigation, traffic sign recognition, keyless entry and a wireless charging pad.

On the GT SP and Akera grades you also get a hands-free powered tailgate, tilt and slide sunroof and a Bose sound system with 10-speakers. A 360-degree view camera system is exclusive to the Akera grade.

Mazda CX-5 Interior

The interior of the 2024 Mazda CX-5 looks well-made with a chunky dashboard styling that includes lots of soft touchpoints throughout.

The mix of high-end materials enhance a premium feel, even in the base model.

The headliner on all models, except the GT SP and Akera grades, is a light grey cloth. The GT SP and Akera sport black headliners and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.

Every CX-5 enjoys a dashboard headlined by 10.25-inch multimedia screen. The accent trims are a mix of brushed metal panel inserts, synthetic leather and matt black plastic inserts. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift come standard on every model.

Mazda CX-5 FAQs

My 2015 Mazda CX-5 Diesel broke down at 148,000km and needs a new engine, will Mazda Australia help me?

The problem of the sump filling with diesel was not unknown on early CX-5 diesels. A leaking injector is possible, but the main cause of this was believed to be the car’s DPF regeneration process dumping large amounts of fuel into the engine, some of which finds its way past the piston rings and into the sump. Either way, a new engine is a large expense.

There’s every chance that Mazda won’t offer any help given the age of the vehicle, nor is this type of engine damage usually a cause for an insurance claim. It would definitely be worth contacting Mazda Australia’s customer service division, but don’t hold your breath.

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Is a 2021 Mazda CX-5 a good used buy?

Proper maintenance is overlooked by many car owners, and it’s a real problem. Modern engines work very hard and have lots of intricate oilways and mechanical clearances that simply won’t tolerate dirty oil. On paper, the car you’re looking at hasn’t had clean oil or a filter change in 20,000km and that’s an awfully long time between drinks. In fact, it’s enough to perhaps give Mazda cause to void any new-car warranty remaining on it, should something mechanical go wrong.

Your best option would be to find another CX-5 with the options and in the colour you want, but with an up to date and complete service record. That’s the best way to prevent any major disasters down the track. The good news is the CX-5 was a popular model, so there should be lots to choose from.

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Engine oil pressure in my 2014 Mazda CX-5 diesel is low

A second-hand engine from a wreck is often a good an option, but only if you can find one that has been tested and comes with a warranty, otherwise you could be replacing your worn engine with an even more worn one. But with a diagnosis estimate of $5000 (and any actual repairs on top of that) I reckon a different workshop would be your best option. Frankly that seems (on the surface) a ridiculous figure and suggests that the workshop in question either doesn’t want your business or is assuming you’re a sucker.

Low oil pressure can be caused by various problems, and a good workshop should be able to check it out and give you a definitive answer on whether it could be fixed or the whole engine replaced. The good news is that the CX-5 is a popular model, so a replacement engine shouldn’t be too hard to track down.

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See all Mazda CX-5 FAQs
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. CarsGuide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Mazda CX-5 Boot Space

The boot space for all CX-5 variants is 438L (VDA) when all five seats are in use. That jumps up to 1340L (VDA) when the rear seats are folded.

The boot features a level loading space but the floor can be readjusted to sit lower. The boot has manual levers to fold the rear row, and a retractable cargo cover that clips onto the boot lid – lifting out of the way when storing gear.

Mazda CX-5 boot space

Mazda CX-5 Engine

There are three engines available but they are variant-specific and all have six-speed automatic transmissions.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Maxx has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces a maximum power output of 115kW/200Nm. This grade is only available as a front-wheel-drive.

The CX-5 Maxx Sport has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces maximum outputs of 239kW/605Nm. This powertrain is available as either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in this grade.

The CX-5 Touring, GT SP and flagship Akera grade share the Maxx Sports AWD powertrain specifications.

The GT SP and Akera grades can upgrade to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a combined power output of 170kW/420Nm.

Mazda CX-5 Seats

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 has five seats in a 2/3 configuration. The rear row features a 40/20/40 split and from the Maxx Sport model onwards it also features two USB-A ports and a fold-down armrest with two cupholders.

On the base Maxx and Maxx Sport models, front seats feature manual adjustments for height and can slide forward/backward via a lever underneath the seat. Black cloth is the only available upholstery.

On the mid-spec Touring model, upholstery is upgraded to black 'Maztex', a synthetic leather-looking material.

In the GT SP model the front passenger seat gets powered six-way adjustments while the drivers’ side is 10-way powered with two-position memory function. Both front seats have heat functionality. Upholstery is a mix between black synthetic- and genuine leather with contrasting red stitching.

The flagship Akera grade features the same powered front seats as the GT SP model but its upholstery is a brown Nappa leather with contrasting grey stitching. A ventilation function is also included for the front seats. Rear outboard seats get an upgrade with heat functionality.

Mazda CX-5 Speed

None of the CX-5 models have official 0-100km/h sprint times but expect sprints between 7.7-seconds for the turbo-petrol variants and 10-seconds for the base model Maxx. Top speed sits around 180km/h.

Mazda CX-5 Range

The range and combined fuel consumption varies between the engines/drivetrains for the 2024 Mazda CX-5 models but all can use a minimum 91 RON unleaded petrol.

The base model Maxx has a combined fuel cycle consumption of 6.9L/100km and a fuel tank size of 56L. The maximum driving range is up to 812km.

Models with the 2.5-litre FWD engine have a combined fuel cycle consumption of 7.2L/100km and a fuel tank size of 56L. The maximum driving range is up to 778km.

Models with the 2.5-litre AWD engine have a combined fuel cycle consumption of 7.4L/100km and a fuel tank size of 58L. The maximum driving range is up to 784km.

Models with the 2.5-litre turbo AWD engine have a combined fuel cycle consumption of 8.2L/100km and a fuel tank size of 58L. The maximum driving range is up to 707km.