Mazda CX-5: Which Should You Buy, 2021 or 2022?

Most significant changes: Lineup renamed and expanded to eight trims from the previous seven; standard all-wheel-drive on all trims; revised styling and tweaks to the seats, suspension, steering and transmission; slight power increase for turbo models when using premium fuel

Pricing: $27,125 to start for the base 2.5 S trim on up to $39,875 for top Turbo Signature trim; increases of $530 for base models to $1,145 for Turbo Signature; destination increase from $1,175 to $1,225

On sale: Now

Which should you buy, 2021 or 2022? Significant upgrades might make a 2022 worth the extra cost — particularly on less expensive trims, where the increase is less than the cost of then-optional AWD in 2021.

For the 2022 model year, Mazda has expanded the lineup for its CX-5 SUV to eight trims from the previous seven, with new names and tweaked features. All now come with standard all-wheel-drive. Other changes include revised front and rear styling and tweaks to the seats, suspension, steering and transmission. (Don’t confuse the CX-5 with Mazda’s CX-50, a forthcoming off-road-themed SUV of similar proportions.)

Related: 2021 Mazda CX-5 Review: A Decent Compact SUV With Deal-Breaking Tech

Features and Safety Tech

Base trims come with cloth upholstery, a 10.25-inch dashboard display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, two USB inputs, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a leather-wrapped gearshift and steering wheel, and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Options as you move up the trim levels include dual-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof, leather seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded stereo, additional USB ports, wireless device charging, a power liftgate, a head-up display and 19-inch wheels.

Standard safety features adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning with steering assist. Options include traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, reverse brake assist and a driver attention monitor. 

Engine

The standard drivetrain is a 187-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is available, good for 256 hp (up from 2021’s 250 hp) with premium fuel or 227 hp on regular. 

Interior

The CX-5 seats up to five in a well-equipped, upscale interior for its class, with rich-looking materials and soft-touch surfaces even in base trim levels. Upper trims raise the ante with leather seating surfaces and real wood trim.

Prices

Mazda’s new trim structure makes direct price comparisons tenuous, but here are base prices (including the $1,225 destination fee) for all 2022 CX-5 trim levels:

• 2.5 S: $27,125
• 2.5 S Select: $29,125
• 2.5 S Preferred: $30,385 
• 2.5 S Carbon Edition: $31,505
• 2.5 S Premium: $33,535
• 2.5 S Premium Plus: $35,175
• 2.5 Turbo: $37,625
• 2.5 Turbo Signature: $39,875

More From Cars.com:

• Mazda Adds Standard AWD to All CX SUVs, Cushier Ride for 2022 CX-5
• Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a Good Car? 4 Pros and 4 Cons
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2021 Mazda CX-5?
• Mazda Gives Americans What They Want: 3 More SUVs by 2023
• 2022 Mazda MX-30: What We Think About Mazda’s First-Ever EV

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