SUV · Gas
Mazda CX-5 2013–2016 (1st gen)
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $21,800–$29,000
- MPG
- 29
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong cargo & utility
- Strength: Strong value retention
- Watch-out: Below-average tech
- Watch-out: Below-average reliability
How it scores for you10 scores
The compact SUV that actually enjoys corners, pairing sharp handling and strong crash scores with roomy cargo, though dated tech and lighting complaints temper the appeal.
Recalled about as often as cars of the same model years; 1 of its 5 recalls was serious. About 8% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Limited history so far, so this score may move as more recalls are filed. Adjusted +4 points for its wider reputation.
4-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 4).
About $2,300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 62% of cars we track.
34.1 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 79% of other SUVs we track.
Seats 5 with 34.1 cu ft cargo (64.8 folded), right in line with segment-typical compact SUV room. Not class-leading but adequate.
Mazda's CX-5 is widely praised as the driver's choice in the compact SUV class, with sharp steering and composed handling. The 184 hp is adequate but not powerful, limiting outright thrill.
First-gen (2013-2016) tech is dated by today's standards, with early infotainment and few driver-assist features. Below current segment norms.
Composed ride and supportive seats are typical for the segment, though the sport-tuned suspension can feel firm and road noise is a known weak point.
SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.
Rated to tow 2,000 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls9 recalls
9 recalls · 8 common complaint areas across 2015–2016
- Exterior lighting — 154 complaints (2016)
- Recall — Visibility: windshield (2016)
- Electrical — 67 complaints (2016)
2016
- RecallVisibility: windshield16E002000
Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system. The affected windshields have a bracket mounte
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap16V064000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement
- RecallSteering16V203000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015
- RecallStructure: body: hatchback/liftgate16V644000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,
- RecallExterior lighting: headlights20V063000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 CX-5 vehicles. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) may fail while driving.
- Complaint clusterExterior lighting154 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mazda issued a safety recall (Mazda safety recall 4320A, NHTSA campaign number 20V-063) to address daytime running light flickering/failure. At the time, only the passenger side daytime running light was replaced under the recall by Mazda, with a gasket/gas absorption sheet being installed on the dr
- Complaint clusterElectrical67 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electric parking brake module warning light was illuminated and the "Brake failure. Vehicle unsafe to drive," message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence.
- Complaint clusterBrakes52 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the message “Smart Brake Malfunction” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with catastrophic
- Complaint clusterPowertrain49 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Any time the vehicle has been sitting with the engine off and has been given enough time to “cool down”, upon starting the vehicle and switching from PARK to DRIVE, the vehicle will violently lurch forward while attempting to reach 2nd gear. This is dangerous behavior that is not normal for any vehi
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other44 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN Slowly driving into garage when suddenly the engine revved up loudly and unattended accelerated forward, causing extensive damage to front of car, a piece of furniture and garage wall
2015
- RecallVisibility: windshield16E002000
Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system. The affected windshields have a bracket mounte
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap16V064000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement
- RecallSteering16V203000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015
- RecallStructure: body: hatchback/liftgate16V644000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,
- Complaint clusterStructure25 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2015 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that while his daughter was loading groceries in the trunk, the liftgate dropped unexpectedly and the corner of the liftgate hit her in the head, causing a laceration. The contact's daughter was taken to urgen
- Complaint clusterPowertrain19 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal the engine had experienced very high revving and the vehicle would lurch forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a PCM and TCM program update and reset the KAM per the manufacturers TS
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other13 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was near a red light and applied the brakes, but the car accelerated and ran into the truck stopped in front of me. This happened around May of 2024. I took the car to the Elk Grove Mazda dealer. They ran diagnostic and road tests but found nothing wrong. The car had the same problem again sometim
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper9 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND ABOVE ME, FOLLOWED BY SUDDENLY FEELING WIND COMING INTO THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS HEARING GLASS ROLL OFF THE TOP OF THE CAR. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER I SAW THAT THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF BUT NO OTHER DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO DENT
- Complaint clusterCruise control8 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
REDUCES SPEED WHILE DRIVING, UNEXPECTEDLY. CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP IMMEDIATELY WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING CONSTANTLY FOR MONTHS AND I HAVE SEEN MYSELF IN SERIOUS TROUBLE SITUATIONS
Cost to own$18,500 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$21,800–$29,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,300/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
26
Highway MPG
34
Combined MPG
29
Horsepower
184 hp
Doors
4
Length
179.1 in
Width
72.4 in
Height
65.7 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,536 lb
Cargo volume
34.1 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
64.8 cu ft
Towing capacity
2,000 lbs
Check a listing
Sign in to check a specific listing against this car's data.