2018 Mazda CX-5

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 crossover is available in three trim levels: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Starting at a base price of $24,150, the CX-5 Sport is well-equipped with convenience features, as well as technology and safety features. All 2018 CX-5 models have front-wheel-drive with all-wheel-drive available as an option. Mazda offers a 187-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission as standard across the lineup.

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The base 2018 CX-5 Sport model comes well equipped with standard equipment such as 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, a 40/20/40-split rear seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and more. Mazda has covered the safety aspect by providing standard low-speed forward collision warning and mitigation and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. For more advanced tech which is standard on higher trim levels, you can opt for the available Sport i-Activsense package which adds features such as automatic high-beams, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, upgraded forward collision warning and mitigation, and automatic windshield wipers.

"We’ve always considered the Mazda CX-5 to be one of the most spirited and enjoyable-driving compact-crossover SUVs money can buy." – Kelley Blue Book

2018 CX-5 Engine and Transmission

The CX-5 comes with a sole engine choice of 2.5-liter four-cylinder rated at 187 hp, and 186 lb-ft of torque. The engine comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with standard FWD. However, Mazda offers the 2018 CX-5 with an available all-wheel-drive option.

The CX-5's four-cylinder engine moves the crossover swiftly around the town, thanks to its lightweight. On the highway, the Mazda CX-5 scoots up speed and has adequate passing power. Also, the automatic transmission is refined and delivers well-times gear shifts.

The Mazda CX-5 has the most powerful four-cylinder engine under the hood. Though the Honda CR-V's base engine is slightly behind the Mazda, it also offers a good acceleration. The Sports mode in Mazda further enhances the drivability of the crossover SUV.

"The Mazda’s six-speed automatic is an excellent gearbox, shifting smoothly and quickly and never hesitating to downshift and get you more power."– Motortrend

2018 CX-5 0-60 mph Acceleration

The CX-5 with its standard 2.5-liter engine delivers unimpressive acceleration from a stop. The Mazda sprints from zero to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is quick against most rivals with similar four-cylinder engines.

It is noteworthy that unlike Mazda some of the rivals offer upgraded engine options. The 2018 CR-V offers a new 1.5-liter turbo while the Ford Escape follows the same suite. The Mazda CX-5 can tow 2000 pounds – more than the CR-V and the RAV4. You can have the optional $450 Trailer hitch with Harness and Cover for making use of this capability. 

2018 CX-5 Ride, Handling, and Braking

The best aspect of CX-5 is its driving dynamics, surely, it is the most fun-to-drive SUVs in its segment. Steering is weighted on the heavier side, specifying the sporting intentions. The crossover feels lightweight around turns, and you can take corners at speeds greater than rivals. It is not hard to say that this is the best-handling small crossover. 

The CX-5's taut suspension keeps the composure and stability under check without being uncomfortable on rough pavements. All the road imperfections are soaked up nicely. The standard four-cylinder engine has adequate power and the transmission is quick to respond.

In the emergency stopping test, the 2018 CX-5 needed 121 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is average in the class. The brake pedals are moderately firm and result in a predictable response.

The 2018 CX-5 delivers good fuel economy with an EPA rating of 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway in FWD guise. The AWD CX-5 gets 24/30 mpg city/highway. 

The 2018 CX-5 trails the Honda CR-V which gets the 26/31 mpg city/highway. Other competitors such as Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 get below-average mpg ratings. In short, the MAzda CX-5 is good on gas and will keep the expenses under check.

"All CX-5 models have two rows of seating for up to five passengers. Like its rivals, though, trying to fit three adults in back can be a squeeze". – Kelley Blue Book

2018 CX-5 Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Mazda CX-5's interior carries over unchanged which is a five-seater crossover SUV. The cabin feels spacious and the front seats are comfortable and supportive. There's enough headroom for tall adults even with the sunroof. The driver can find an excellent position, thanks to the flexible seating and steering wheel adjustment. However, the rear seats feel cramped, the rear legroom is a bit slim.

The CX-5's cabin matches the luxury SUV standard and there's no cheap plastic trim even in the base Sport trim. All materials, from leather upholstery to dashboard, feel expensive. The interior design is elegant and wears metal accents and soft-touch plastic. The Mazda CX-5's interior is class-above.

Available interior seating features:

• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Heated seats (front and rear)
• Heated steering wheel

The CX-5 feels spacious up front, and there's enough headroom for tall folks all around even with the sunroof. Rear passengers might feel cramped by the sculpted outboard seats, which also make it difficult for an adult to sit in the middle. Rear legroom is a little tight. - Edmunds

2018 CX-5 Cargo Capacity

The CX-5 comes with 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, which is a bit smaller than some competitors. The cargo area expands to 59.6 cubic feet with these seats folded. The rear seats fold 40/20/40. The loading height is a little taller than many other crossovers in the segment while the door opening height is a little shorter. Mazda also offers a power tailgate for further convenience. 

The interior small storage options include spacious pockets on every door with water bottle cutouts. The center console bin is deep and there's a secondary bin in front of the shifter for extra storage. 

2018 CX-5 Infotainment System

The 2018 CX-5 comes equipped with a standard 7-inches touch-screen infotainment system with a four-speaker audio system. The screen has been placed ergonomically on the dashboard and offers clear graphics even in direct sunlight. There are redundant controlling options such as a knob and buttons on the center console, making it easy to access the infotainment features.

The lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is one of the drawbacks as most neer crossover SUVs have smartphone integration. The available infotainment features include:

• Navigation system
• Satellite radio
• Six-speaker stereo
• 10-speaker Bose stereo
• Two rear-seat USB ports
• Head-up display

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 is far too pretty to be a crossover. - Carconnection

The Mazda CX-5 is an elegant crossover SUV and surely the best-looking compact crossover. Without the badge, you will mostly recognize it as any German crossovers as its exterior design looks wat more expensive. Mazda says the design keyword was “refined toughness” and that it is “free of non-essential elements”. The proportions are athletic and the curves reflect the natural light gorgeously.

The 2018 CX-5 is 179.1 inches long – which is longer than most of the competitors including the Ford Escape. However, the CR-V and the RAV4 are longer, thus offering better rear room than the Mazda. The CX-5 is low-slung among others at 65.3 inches and that gives it a sporty stance but it has generous 7.6 inches of ground clearance.

The $595 “soul red crystal metallic” color option further enhances the design even more glamorously. Mazda offers LED headlights while LED fog lamps are an available option on the base trim. The base CX-5 Sport comes with standard 17-inch aluminum alloys while the Touring and Grand Touring trims sport larger 19-inch aluminum alloys. :

• Roof Rails ($400 on all trims)
• Rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers (available from Touring onwards)
• LED headlights (standard)
• LED daytime running lamps (in Grand Touring trim only)

The NHTSA gave the 2018 CX-5 the overall safety score of four stars out of five stars. The IIHS gave the CX-5 a 2018 Top Safety Pick+ designation. The Mazda received the highest score of Good in all crash-test categories by the IIHS.

All CX-5s come with a good amount of standard active safety features including a low-speed automatic emergency braking system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The higher trim like Touring and Grand Touring comes standard with the full suite of active safety features, which includes adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Mazda offers a Sport i-ActivSense package option with the Sports trim.

Available advanced safety features:

• Full-speed forward-collision warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Adaptive pivoting headlights
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear parking sensors

2018 Mazda CX-5 Vs 2018 Honda CR-V

It is hard to recommend between the CX-5 or the 2018 Honda CR-V, as both are equally good choices. Both brands offer nice cabin materials, a comfortable ride quality, and a long list of safety features. The CX-5 feels more energetic to drive and is more agile around turns. Also, the CX-5 boasts higher predicted reliability than CR-V.

On the other hand, the CR-V offers better fuel economy, though just by 1 MPG and it is available with an upgraded engine option. The Honda is a more practical choice as it offers a larger cargo area. Both are good options and choosing one depends on priorities.

2018 Mazda CX-5 Vs 2018 Toyota RAV4

The 2018 Toyota RAV4 targets a different audience than the CX-5. Toyota also offers a hybrid powertrain which is rated higher on the furl economy. Toyota's interior styling and materials aren’t as nice as the Mazda’s, and its handling isn't sporty.

However, the Toyota RAV4 offers a much larger cargo area, more standard safety features, and a larger towing capacity. Toyota RAV4 is a decent package for daily commuting and a practical option but isn't as refined as the Mazda CX-5.

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 is an excellent compact SUV. The CX-5 is credited for its spacious interior, top-notch safety ratings, and higher predicted reliability ratings than most competitors. You will enjoy driving CX-5 as it is nimble. The powertrain is refined as well as efficient.