At a glance
The story
Mazda created the CX-5 to replace the Tribute and CX-7. Launched in 2012, it joined Kodo styling to a full Skyactiv rethink of the engine, gearbox, body and chassis, developed together for efficiency and driving fun.134
Show the numbers
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2000–2011 | Mazda Tribute (J14) |
| 2006–2012 | Mazda CX-7 (ER) |
| 2011 | Mazda Minagi concept |
| 2012–2017 | Mazda CX-5 (first generation) (KE) |
| 2016–2025 | Mazda CX-5 (second generation) (KF) |
| 2025–present | Mazda CX-5 (third generation) |
| 2011 | Minagi concept, then Frankfurt |
| 2012 | February launch, November Japan award |
| 2014 | 184 hp for Touring and Grand Touring |
| 2016 | Second generation debuts in Los Angeles |
| 2019 | 250-hp turbo; a one-year US diesel |
| 2021 | Carbon Edition, with or without turbo |
| 2022 | Mi-Drive and distinct UK trim styling |
| 2025 | Third generation, 4.8-inch stretch |
| 2025 | 5 million built and 5 million sold |
- 2011
Minagi concept, then Frankfurt
The Minagi concept previews the CX-5 at Geneva; the CX-5 itself makes its world debut at Frankfurt in September.25
- 2012
February launch, November Japan award
Sales start in February; on November 29, the CX-5 wins the 2012-2013 Car of the Year Japan award.15
- 2014
184 hp for Touring and Grand Touring
The U.S. 2014 model year answers criticism of low power with a 184-hp 2.5-liter engine, standard on Touring and Grand Touring.5
- 2016
Second generation debuts in Los Angeles
Unveiled November 15, the second generation adds G-Vectoring Control; Japanese sales begin February 2, 2017.56
- 2019
250-hp turbo; a one-year US diesel
Signature's 2.5-liter turbo delivers 250 hp on 93 octane and 420 Nm; the US diesel arrives for its only model year.57
- 2021
Carbon Edition, with or without turbo
For 2021, Carbon Edition pairs Polymetal Gray paint with red leather; Carbon Edition Turbo offers 250 hp on 93 octane or 227 hp on 87.8
- 2022
Mi-Drive and distinct UK trim styling
For 2022, new lights and a 3D grille join Mi-Drive. Newground, Sport Black and GT Sport give UK buyers distinct styling themes.9
- 2025
Third generation, 4.8-inch stretch
The third generation debuts in Europe in July for late-2025 sales. For 2026, it grows 4.5 inches, with a 4.8-inch wheelbase stretch and larger rear doors.2410
- 2025
5 million built and 5 million sold
Global production and sales each reach 5 million by the end of 2025. The CX-5 has been Mazda's best-selling model since 2018.2
Every generation

J142000–2011 
ER2006–2012 Mazda Minagi concept2011 
KE2012–2017 
KF2016–2025 
Mazda CX-5 (third generation)2025–present
Power over the years
From 155 hp to 256 hp in 9 years.
Show the numbers
| Year | Horsepower | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 155 | U.S. 2.0 Skyactiv-G |
| 2014 | 184 | U.S. 2.5 Touring/Grand Touring |
| 2017 | 187 | 2017 2.5-liter |
| 2019 | 227 | 2.5 Turbo, 87 octane |
| 2019 | 250 | 2.5 Turbo, 93 octane |
| 2021 | 148 | UK Skyactiv-D (150 PS) |
| 2021 | 163 | UK 2.0 Skyactiv-G (165 PS) |
| 2021 | 181 | UK Skyactiv-D (184 PS) |
| 2021 | 191 | UK 2.5 Skyactiv-G GT Sport |
| 2022 | 256 | Turbo, 93 octane |
| 2026 | 187 | 2026 2.5-liter |
Versions
9 versions worth knowing, with their power.
-
Standard
GT Sport (UK)
2022
-
Standard
Newground (UK)
2022
163 hp -
Standard
Sport Black (UK)
2022
163 hp -
Special
Carbon Edition / Carbon Edition Turbo
2021
-
Special
Carbon Turbo
2024
256 hp -
Special
Field Journey (Japan)
2021
-
Special
Sports Appearance (Japan)
2021
-
Special
Exclusive Mode (Japan)
2021
-
Limited
Kuro (UK)
2021
163 hp
How to spot one
Look for
- 2022 facelift: the wing-shaped grille trim stops short of the headlight clusters.9
- 2022 facelift: four stretched oval LEDs give the lights their horizontal signature.917
- 2026 redesign: look for larger rear doors and a bigger tailgate.10
Year by year
- 2015–2016 facelift
First-generation facelift: revised grille; upper trims could add LED headlights, fog lights and taillights.51219
- 2016 interior update
Early Technology Packages used Tom-Tom navigation; the refresh added Mazda Connect, a commander-operated display and an electronic parking brake.312
- 2017
Second generation: a concave grille and slim LED headlights; windshield pillars moved back to make the hood look longer.515
- 2021
A new 10.25-inch center screen arrived; turbocharged versions gained a Turbo badge.5
- 2022
Facelift brings a 3D grille, four oval LED motifs and grille trim clear of the lamps; Sport Black gets black cladding, GT Sport body-color trim.917
- 2026
Larger rear doors and tailgate, 12.9- or 15.6-inch touchscreens, and no center-console commander or volume knob mark the redesign.10
Against its rivals
-
CX-5 vs VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150 R Line 4Motion
List price lower is better
CX-531,395 £VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150 R Line 4Motion34,360 £22 -
CX-5 vs Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI SE L
List price lower is better
CX-531,395 £Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI SE L30,800 £22 -
CX-5 vs Honda CR-V EX-L AWD (2026)
EPA combined economy
CX-526 mpg (US)Honda CR-V EX-L AWD (2026)29 mpg (US)23
Prices
Value today $13.7K–$21.0K27
Show the numbers
| Year | Price | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Launch price | $21,795 | US base MSRP, 2016 model year |
| 2013 | Price when new | $28,445 | US Touring AWD, as tested |
| 2016 | Price when new | $21,795 | US Sport MT FWD MSRP |
| 2017 | Price when new | $24,985 | US Sport FWD base |
| 2019 | Price when new | $39,850 | US Signature AWD, as tested |
| 2021 | Price when new | $25,270 | US Sport FWD, launch MSRP |
| 2024 | Price when new | $29,300 | US 2.5 S Select MSRP |
| 2024 | Price when new | $40,600 | US 2.5 Turbo Signature MSRP |
| 2026 | Price when new | $31,485 | US S AWD base |
| 2027 | Price when new | $29,990 | US 2.5 S; +$1,595 destination |
| 2027 | Price when new | $39,440 | US 2.5 S Premium Plus MSRP |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $5,400 | 2013 CX-5, 123,294 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $9,700 | 2014 CX-5, 98,136 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $8,200 | 2015 CX-5, 129,320 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $13,500 | 2019 CX-5, 66,638 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $14,100 | 2021 CX-5, 107,500 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $22,000 | 2021 CX-5, 39,709 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $23,800 | 2024 CX-5, 20,253 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $14,000 | 2025 CX-5, 88,616 miles, Bidbus |
| 2026 | Value today | $13,700–$21,000 |
The rest of the story is in the app
The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.
Versions
- Why each of the 9 versions matters
Legend
- 14 stories from its legend
- “Across frozen Lake Baikal”
- “5 million built and 5 million sold”
Generations
- The story of each of the 6 generations
Market
- 2 things to check before buying one
- Where prices are heading, and why
SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.
See all 30 sources
- MAZDA NEWSROOM|Mazda CX-5 Wins Car of the Year Japan|NEWS RELEASES newsroom.mazda.com
- MAZDA NEWSROOM|MAZDA CX-5 Achieves Five Million Units in Global Production and Sales|NEWS RELEASES newsroom.mazda.com
- 2013-14 Mazda CX-5 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
- MAZDA NEWSROOM|All-New MAZDA CX-5 Debuts in Europe|NEWS RELEASES newsroom.mazda.com
- Mazda CX-5 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Mazda Unveils The All New CX-5- November 15, 2016 | Mazda USA News news.mazdausa.com
- 2019 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Long-Term Road Test: 40,000-Mile Wrap-Up caranddriver.com
- 2021 Mazda CX-5: More To Discover - Aug 25, 2020 | Mazda USA News news.mazdausa.com
- 2022 Mazda CX-5 | UK price and specification announced uk.mazda-press.com
- 2026 Mazda CX-5 First Drive: Better in Every Way (Except One) motortrend.com
- Mazda USA Newsroom - News Releases | Mazda USA News news.mazdausa.com
- 2016 Mazda CX-5 Pricing Announced | Mazda USA News news.mazdausa.com
- Buying a used Mazda CX-5 KF Series (2017-21) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
- Long-Term Wrap-Up: Our 2013 Mazda CX-5 Says Goodbye caranddriver.com
- 2017 Mazda CX-5 AWD Test: High Five caranddriver.com
- Updated 2021 Mazda CX-5 on sale now uk.mazda-press.com
- MAZDA NEWSROOM「MAZDA CX-5」を大幅改良|ニュースリリース newsroom.mazda.com
- First Mazda 100th Anniversary Special Edition Series cars arrive in the UK uk.mazda-press.com
- Mazda CX-5 used car review | RACV racv.com.au
- Mazda Tribute - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Mazda CX-7 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- 2017 Mazda CX-5 review - the driver's choice in the SUV market? | evo evo.co.uk
- 2026 Honda CR-V vs. VW Tiguan vs. Mazda CX-5 Comparison Test: Which Compact SUV Is Best? motortrend.com
- MAZDA CX-5: THE MAKING OF AN ICON mazda.com.au
- 2022 Mazda CX-5: Meet the Makers | Mazda Stories mazdastories.com
- デビュー戦のマツダCX-5、大健闘のクラス2位 - MZRacing mzracing.jp
- Sell Your Mazda CX-5 for More | Real Auction Results | Bidbus bidbus.com
- Mazda Resale Value: These Models Lose the Least After Five Years - Autoblog autoblog.com
- 2027 Mazda CX-5: Pricing and Packaging - Oct 26, 2026 | Mazda USA News news.mazdausa.com
- Used 2025 Mazda CX-5 prices nationwide | Cardecy cardecy.com
- newsroom.mazda.com
- consumerguide.com
- en.wikipedia.org
- news.mazdausa.com
- caranddriver.com
- uk.mazda-press.com
- motortrend.com
- carsales.com.au
- racv.com.au
- evo.co.uk
- mazda.com.au
- mazdastories.com
- mzracing.jp
- bidbus.com
Photo credits
- Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Aos.1905, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
