The Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV. Since 2014, the CX-5 has been Mazda’s best-selling model globally. I had the opportunity to drive the 2025 Mazda CX-5 Sport Design for a week. The price as tested, is $46,795.
Exterior:
The exterior of the CX-5 Sport Design is in Mazda’s signature soul red crystal metallic. This colour is eye catching and captivates onlookers. The CX-5 is on 19-inch black metallic alloy wheels which enhances its bold and aggressive side. It is paired with LED exterior lighting, along with Signature lighting on front and rear lights. I am impressed how well the exterior is put together. The exterior mirrors, front and rear lower bumper, wheel arch and rocker trim are finished in brilliant black. The Signature Wing grille surround is completed in a black finish.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance:
The 2025 Cx-5 Sport Design features a Skyactiv-G 2.5 T Dynamic Pressure Turbo 4-cylinder inline engine. It produces a peak 256 horsepower and peak 320 lb-ft torque. However, this is achieved with 93 octane fuel. Whereas, with 87 octane fuel, the peak horsepower is 227 and peak 310 lb-ft torque. The engine is paired with Mazda’s SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission. I find the CX-5 provides adequate power with regular unleaded fuel. All of Mazda’s CX-5 trims come equipped with i-Activ All-wheel drive. The distinct sound of the turbocharger spooling creates a sports performance vibe. The paddle shifters provide greater control over the gear shifting as it enhances the responsiveness of the engine. Mazda added the Mi-Drive (Mazda Intelligent Drive Select) button that allows the driver to tailor the drive dynamics to match the environment. It features three driving modes, normal, sport, and off-road. Switching between each mode is easily achievable. Driving within the city and freeway is smooth. The engine responds without any lag and the turbo purrs at high speeds. This adds excitement and tests the limits of this well-produced engine. Mazda has designed a “Quiet Cabin” which features sound insulating glass and noise cancelling materials. This minimizes the transmission of external noise from wind, tire and road friction. Overall, I am amazed the CX-5 delivered power and performance without compromising any details.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The CX-5’s cabin is exceptionally laid out with amazing details for a compact SUV. It provides seating for five passengers. The black leather seats with the red stitching is attention seeking along with the leather wrapped steering wheel. The steering wheel has audio and Bluetooth controls. Another bonus, the steering wheel is heated. The front and rear seats are heated but only the front ones are ventilated. Moreover, the driver’s seat is power adjustable 10-way with memory settings and the passenger seat is power adjustable 6-way. The front and rear seats are comfortable with a black luxurious leather finish. The red interior stitching accents are a great sight along with the decorative dash panel trimmed in black with hexagonal patterns. Overall, the cabin provides a welcoming atmosphere with a smart layout. The rear has enough space for three passengers. The power glass moon roof is a nice added feature as one can look at the day skies or night stars. The automatic dual-zone climate controls is one of my favorites as the driver and passenger can set their desired temperature. The climate control system is simple to use and is comprised of two knobs. The front and second row seating has generous size cup holders for your favorite beverages. The Cx-5 provides ample cargo space. It is well equipped for the typical grocery runs or a weekend getaway.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The infotainment system features a 10.25 inch color display with Mazda Connect. It is equipped with Bose premium audio system with 10-speakers. The Bose audio system flawlessly plays music without any sound distortion. The infotainment system is user friendly for Android and Apple users. It has physical controls which are less distracting than the touch screen. The wireless charger is a great added feature. The navigation system is easy to use and the maps load quickly without any hiccups. The Bluetooth connectivity is simple to sync and connect to mobile phones for hands free talking. The front and rear seats are equipped with USB Type C ports. Overall, the infotainment system is simple to use and understand.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Cx-5 Sport Design is well equipped with safety features. To name a few, it has blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian detection (forward sensing), and lane keep assist. One of my favorites is the windshield projected full color active driving display. This feature is amazing as it projects key driving information like speed and navigation on the windshield in the driver’s line of sight. As a result, it allows the driver to stay focused without any distractions. Overall, the CX-5 Sport Design is well designed with the latest safety features.
Verdict
I would recommend this compact crossover SUV as it comes with all the latest bells and whistles. The CX-5 sport Design offers an upscale design when compared with its rivals Toyota Rav4 and Honda CR-V, which prioritize practicality and simplified interiors. All in all, the Cx-5 Sport Design is designed for every journey as it combines style, power, and luxury effortlessly.
