Used Mazda CX-5 for sale: everything you need to know

The Mazda CX-5 is the brand’s core SUV model of the range, competing against big-sellers like the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, and Ford Kuga. Yet despite being an excellent example of the breed, the Mazda CX-5 has never quite found the same popularity as these other mainstream brands - and we think that’s a shame.

It’s a shame because the Mazda CX-5 is actually a very good car. It’s more stylish than almost all of its rivals, has a more elegant interior design (and is practical too, albeit missing out on a seven-seat version), and comfortable to drive but also among the more engaging SUVs to steer.

So why doesn’t it sell better? Mazda is a relative minnow in the UK market so perhaps a lot of people simply haven’t heard about it, though with no full hybrids (just mild hybrids) and EVs and no turbocharged engines, the Mazda CX-5’s on-paper stats don’t quite match up to some rivals either. Those rivals include the aforementioned Qashqai, Sportage, and Kuga, as well as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, and even some premium models like the BMW X3.

Should you buy a Mazda CX-5?

It’s almost become a cliché that Mazda injects a little of its MX-5 sports car into every model it makes, in much the same way that every Porsche ultimately owes something to the 911. However true that is, you can at least see and feel some resemblance between the MX-5 and the Mazda CX-5, despite the former being a two-seat roadster and the latter a practical family SUV - and that’s a string to its bow that not many rivals can offer.

The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t sell in the same kind of numbers as cars like the Nissan Qashqai, but it probably should on merit. It’s one of the most stylish cars in its class both inside and out, is as practical as most (though doesn’t offer a seven-seat option, which may deter some), is better to drive than all but a few, and if Mazda’s on-paper fuel efficiency numbers won’t wow you, the brand’s models tend to at least match them in the real world - a rare thing in today’s car market.

At first glance the range does seem a little restricted, with just a couple of petrol models, a single diesel with manual, automatic, front-drive and AWD options, and no full hybrids or EVs - though the petrol models now have mild hybrid tech. Conversely, the current Mazda CX-5 trim levels are a bit of a confusing jumble. But all are equally practical, with a big boot, and even the most basic models have a useful level of equipment, and have done so since the current model’s 2017 launch.

All Mazda CX-5s feel great from behind the wheel, too - the CX-5’s cabin is definitely one of its highlights, with a quality feel and a logical layout, and since 2019 at least, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration for its relatively low-tech but intuitive touchscreen. It’s even better on the move, where the CX-5 steers and handles well, and smooths away most bumps - though cars on 19-inch wheels do feel a little firmer.

Ultimately, most customers will settle for the more familiar option of a Nissan Qashqai or Ford Kuga, while at the more expensive end of the range, an Audi Q5 or BMW X3 may tempt people away. But the CX-5 is stylish and offers a lot for your money, especially as a used car - and it’s worth noting that Mazda has a very good reliability record, too.

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What’s the best used Mazda CX-5 model to buy?

The Mazda CX-5 is a car where you don’t need to look too high up the range to benefit from a desirable list of equipment. Among earlier models, SE-L trim is more than up to the task, with a good standard level of equipment but also 17-inch wheels that really help the ride quality compared to larger options. Centre Line trim is the equivalent model in the current range.

Engine-wise, our pick is the diesel. The older 150PS model feels peppier than the equivalent 2.0-litre petrol, while the current 2.2 Skyactiv-D with 184PS is brisk too. The diesel also happens to offer a wider range of drivetrain options - it’s available in both front wheel drive and AWD, and with manual and automatic gearboxes, so there should be a combination to suit most drivers.

Used Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and performance

• Mazda CX-5 2.0 e-Skyactiv G: Mazda’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine doesn’t use a turbo like many equivalents, but makes 165PS and is available with either a manual or automatic gearbox, and powers the front wheels. The manual gets from 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds and the auto in 10.2sec, with 43.5mpg and 40.9mpg economy respectively.
• Mazda CX-5 2.5 e-Skyactiv G AWD: Also non-turbo, the 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder is automatic and all-wheel drive only, and makes 194PS. 0-62mph takes 9.5 seconds, and economy is 37.2mpg combined.
• Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D: Mazda’s four-cylinder diesel is available in both front wheel drive and AWD forms, with manual and automatic options for each. Power is 184PS for all, and 0-62mph acceleration ranges from 9.2 seconds for the manual front-driver, to 9.6sec for the automatic AWD. These two also bookend the economy figures - 50.4mpg for the manual FWD, 42.8mpg for the automatic AWD.

What used Mazda CX-5 trim levels are available?

The current Mazda CX-5 trim level lineup is a slightly confusing affair; without seeing it in a brochure, you’d struggle to know where the range started and where it finished from the names alone. It’s a little easier to tell in the metal though, thanks to larger alloy wheels as the range progresses upwards, and more upmarket trim details inside.

Older trim levels were actually a little simpler, with SE-L and Sport models, and ‘Nav’ versions of each. But below we’ve broken down the main differences in equipment in the current range.

• The Mazda CX-5 Centre Line starts off with 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, a 10.25-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and fabric trim.
• The Mazda CX-5 Newground steps right up to 19-inch alloys, and is denoted by black mirror caps, lime green accents at the front, artificial leather and suede seats (with six-way power adjustment for the driver, and heating for those in the front), and a reversible boot floor.
• The Mazda CX-5 Exclusive Line builds on Centre Line trim with 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, reversing camera, power tailgate, leather trim, TFT instruments, a heated steering wheel, 10-speaker Bose audio, and in automatic models, gearshift paddles.
• The Mazda CX-5 Homura has all the Exclusive Line kit, plus gloss black exterior detailing, red accents at the front, and red stitching for the black leather trim.
• The Mazda CX-5 Takumi is another model following on from Exclusive Line trim. It’s the only one in the range with body-colour wheel arches and lower bumper mouldings, while it also gets a 360-degree camera for parking, adaptive LED headlights, and inside, wood trim, brown Nappa leather upholstery, with front seat ventilation and heated rear seats.

Used Mazda CX-5 dimensions and boot size

The Mazda CX-5’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4575mm
• Width: 1845mm (without mirrors), 2115mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1675-1680mm
• Ground clearance: 192-200mm

The Mazda CX-5’s boot size is:

• 522 litres
• 1638 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)

Used Mazda CX-5 road tax

The Mazda CX-5 isn’t expensive enough to trip over the government’s VED or ‘road tax’ surcharge for vehicles over £40,000, which is one fewer cost to worry about when it comes time to tax your car. The current e-Skyactiv G models will cost £170 per year to tax from the second year onwards, and the non-hybrid Skyactiv-D diesels will be £180 per year, along with all other non-hybrids of the current generation model. First-year tax is based on CO2 output, so this varies between individual models.

How much is it to insure a Mazda CX-5?

Of the earlier Mazda CX-5s, a Skyactiv-G petrol in SE-L trim has the lowest insurance group rating in the range, in group 14. Higher-spec models rise to group 15 and 16, while the diesels range from groups 19-23. In the current range, a e-Skyactiv G Centre Line starts in group 17, rising to group 27 for a Skyactiv-D AWD automatic in Takumi trim.

Read our full Mazda CX-5 review