2016 Mazda CX-5

Vehicle Overview

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 gets a mildly face-lifted exterior, revised control layout, new cabin materials and additional connectivity systems for 2016.

Mazda’s compact SUV was new for 2012, and the automaker has updated it slightly for every model year since its launch. For 2016, the CX-5’s face gets a slightly bolder grille with new metallic gray accents. The headlights have a revised interior layout, and Mazda’s “signature” LED lighting is optional with the Technology Package.

Under the hood, the CX-5 is again available with either a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and Mazda says it has updated the crossover’s suspension for a more compliant ride. Drive Selection, which allows drivers to switch drive modes “for a more responsive driving experience,” Mazda said in a statement, is also newly available this year. The ride should also be quieter thanks to additional sound insulation throughout the body.

Inside, the climate control buttons have been moved up slightly on the panel, and the new CX-5 uses the latest version of the Mazda Connect knob-controller-based multimedia system. Other highlights include an electronic parking brake, longer rear-seat cushions, larger door pockets for more storage and new interior trim options: an aluminum-look panel with a vertical hairline finish, a metallic-finish panel and a piano black panel.