Mazda CX-5

The elevated ride height and superior passenger and cargo room of small SUVs make them far more sensible than the typical small sedan. The downside is that sensible isn't normally sexy, but that's where the 2021 Mazda CX-5 comes in. This SUV boasts sleek styling and impressive handling abilities to match. It also has a top-notch interior and a strong optional turbocharged engine that wouldn't seem out of place in a BMW. These traits have helped the CX-5 earn a place near the top of our rankings of the best small SUVs.

The CX-5 receives a few notable upgrades for 2021. The central display screen is larger than last year's and is outfitted with Mazda's newest infotainment interface. It loses touchscreen functionality, but the increased width makes the layout look less cluttered than before. There's also a new Carbon Edition trim that's available with or without the turbocharged engine. If you want the extra thrust but don't need the luxury features that come in the pricier trims, the Carbon Edition is the least expensive way to get the upgraded engine. So is the CX-5 the best small SUV for you? Check out our Expert Rating to read more of our in-depth evaluation of this year's CX-5.

What's it like to live with?

Want to know even more about the Mazda CX-5? Learn about the day-to-day ownership on our long-term test of the 2018 CX-5. Was the cargo room sufficient for everyday use? Was it reliable? See what we liked and disliked about this fun and stylish SUV after driving it for a year. Note that the 2020 CX-5 differs slightly from the 2018 model, which did not have the optional turbocharged engine and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay that became available in 2019 or the revised infotainment system that debuts this year. Our coverage is otherwise applicable.

Which CX-5 does MatoCar recommend?

There's value to be had throughout the CX-5 lineup, but two trims stand out. The Touring is a great choice if you're looking to keep costs low. It doesn't cost much more than the Sport, and it adds quite a few useful features. Its Preferred SV package is also quite comprehensive. If you want cheap power, the new Carbon Edition Turbo is the way to go. It includes the Preferred SV package along with the upgraded engine, and it costs thousands less than the Grand Touring Reserve.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is a small SUV sold in seven trim levels: Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Carbon Edition Turbo, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature. Feature highlights for each include:

Sport The base CX-5 Sport starts you off with:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower, 186 lb-ft of torque)
Six-speed automatic transmission
Standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
17-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Push-button start
10.25-inch central display
Four-speaker audio system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Two front USB ports

Every CX-5 comes with a comprehensive set of driving aids, which include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mazda and the car in front)

Touring The Touring model adds a handful of convenience features, such as:

Keyless entry
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Simulated leather upholstery
Rear air vents
Rear armrest
Six-speaker audio system
Two rear USB ports

The Touring's Preferred SV package adds:

Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Sunroof
Power liftgate
Driver-seat memory settings
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Leather upholstery
10-speaker Bose audio system

Carbon Edition The new Carbon Edition trim includes:

Preferred SV package
19-inch black-painted wheels

Carbon Edition Turbo This trim simply adds a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft when using 93 octane gasoline.

Grand Touring The Grand Touring adds the following on top of Touring content:

Preferred SV package
19-inch wheels
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Heated mirrors
Paddle shifters
Upgraded driver information display
Satellite radio

The GT Premium package includes:

Power-folding mirrors
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Heated steering wheel
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats

Grand Touring Reserve The Grand Touring Reserve is essentially the Grand Touring trim plus the GT Premium package and the turbocharged engine. All-wheel drive comes standard.

Signature The range-topping Signature goes all-in on luxury appointments. It starts with Grand Touring Reserve content and adds:

Dark gray wheels
Ambient interior lighting
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Wood trim
Navigation system
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the CX-5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)