2018 Mazda CX-5

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$24,150–$30,945 MSRP range
(4.9) 132 reviews
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2018 Mazda CX-5
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2018 Mazda CX‑5. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Excellent steering and handling
  • Quiet cabin
  • Adaptive cruise control that works to a stop
  • Interior materials
  • USB charging ports in backseat
  • Gas pedal and transmission responsiveness

The Bad

  • Touchscreen locks when SUV is moving
  • Less cargo room than competitors
  • Backseat legroom
  • Multimedia control knob tricky to use

Notable Features of the 2018 Mazda CX-5

  • Blind spot warning system now standard
  • Four-cylinder engine adds cylinder-deactivation technology
  • Five-seat compact SUV
  • Front- or all-wheel drive
  • LED headlights standard
  • Active safety features available

2018 Mazda CX-5 Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

What it is: Since its launch in 2012, the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV has been a hit for the Japanese brand, accounting for a quarter of Mazda sales around the world. The CX-5 was fully redesigned last year and delivers an above-average driving experience. It competes with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.

New for 2018

New standard features include a leather steering wheel and shift knob, and blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Meanwhile, the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine gains cylinder-deactivation technology that shuts down the outside cylinders when cruising to save gas.


View 48 Photos

Latest 2018 CX-5 Stories

See all 2018 Mazda CX-5 articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.9
132 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.9)
Performance
(4.9)
Interior Design
(4.8)
Comfort
(4.8)
Reliability
(4.9)
Value For The Money
(4.9)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

Good for technology drivers

by LadyMeg from Hartford, CT on August 13, 2018

I liked the size, height and handling of the CX-5. My only 'complaint' was that it has significantly less storage than previous vehicles, just the glove box and the center console. But the technology ... Read full review

(5.0)

Best car ever

by MomDays from Amherst, MA on August 13, 2018

Love this car! It?s fun and easy to drive, comfortable, and has all the bells and whistles for so much less than comparable luxury models. Gas mileage is great, which was a big selling point for me! Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 currently has 1 recall

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2018 Mazda CX-5 Sport

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Child Seat Anchors (Latch)

Ease of Use
acceptable

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Headlights

Overall Rating
acceptable

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Overall Evaluation
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
good
Structure and Safety Cage
good
acceptable

Small Overlap Front - Passenger Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Overall Evaluation
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
good
Structure and Safety Cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

CPO Program & Warranty

Certified Pre-Owned by Mazda

Program Benefits

At Mazda, everything we do is designed, engineered, tested and retested to make driving better. And our Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are no exception. Each one comes with the confidence to greet every turn, on- ramp and green light with the same driving enthusiasm Mazda owners know so well.

  • Limited Warranty

    1 year / 12,000 miles

    Each Mazda Certified Pre-Owned vehicle comes with a 12-Month/12,000- Mile Additional Limited Warranty with no deductible on covered components, which begins when the factory warranty ends. If it's out of warranty, the 12-Month/12,000-Mile Limited Warranty begins on the certified retail date.

  • Eligibility

    Under 6 years / 80,000 miles

    Vehicles receive a Mazda quality inspection and reconditioning.

    See inspection details.

Have Questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The CX-5 received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker