The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is offered with front-wheel or all-wheel drive in several trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Carbon Edition and Signature. The Signature trim is only available as an all-wheel drive while all the other trims come in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive.
The Mazda CX-5 is powered by one of two engine combinations, a 2.5L 4-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque or a 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 227 horsepower and 310
The first three are front-wheel drive and powered by a 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine with 187 lb-ft of torque both mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The CX-5 manages to feel balanced, responsive and sprightly, even with its somewhat taller seating position. This is thanks to a responsive electric-boost rack-and-pinion power steering system and Mazda's G-Vectoring Control Plus, which improves steering response by altering engine output to change the dynamics of the CX-5 in corners. All of this makes the CX-5 one of the best-handling compact utility vehicles.
The CX-5 is also versatile. In all versions of the CX-5, the back seats are split 40/20/40 and fold nearly flat. Liftover height is low, and the resulting cargo floor is continuous, which makes it easy to pack larger pieces of weekend cargo.
Sport models include a long list of standard features such as LED headlights, a 7.0-inch color dashboard display with Mazda's fancy Commander knob, a second USB port, G-Vectoring Control and Smart City Brake Support, Mazda's low-speed automated-emergency-braking system. Also standard on Sport models are items such as Bluetooth, cruise control, keyless entry, push-button ignition, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and power windows and door locks, factors to keep in mind when comparing the CX-5 against less expensive competitors that lack some of that equipment.
The Touring model adds much more popular equipment, a rear-seat armrest with storage, a rearview camera, steering-wheel audio controls, upgraded upholstery and a 6-speaker sound system with 10.25-inch touch-screen interface, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SMS text-messaging capability and Pandora compatibility. The system also gives rear-seat passengers a pair of USB ports, a fold-down center armrest, and A/C vents between the front seats.
Grand Touring models add a lot of equipment that is optional on the Touring, including LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power liftgate and a sunroof. Inside, the Grand Touring has an 8-way power driver's seat, a Bose 10-speaker audio system, leather seat surfaces, and automatic high-beam control.
The Signature trim includes heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel, ambient LED lighting, wood accents, satin chrome accents, 360-degree camera view, and front and rear parking sensors.
Safety features across the line up include an active lane departure system, blind spot warning, forward collision mitigation, rear collision warning and pedestrian detection prevention.
