The Mazda CX-30 replaced the CX-3. The CX-90 replaced the CX-9. But the CX-50 has not yet replaced the Mazda CX-5. Why is that? Why is the 2024 Mazda CX-5 such a popular model among small families and one of Mazda’s best sellers?
Performance
Engine – One of the reasons why the CX-5 is so popular is because of the engines that it is available with. Sure, the base 2.5L naturally aspirated engine will not win over any hearts with its 187 hp & 186 lb-ft of torque(139 Kw / 252 Nm). But the optional 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is under the hood of this CX-5 Suna will light some fires. It has two power outputs depending on the type of fuel you use. It can produce 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque (167 kW & 420 Nm) when it is running on regular octane fuel. If you use premium fuel, this engine produces 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque (191 kW & 434 Nm). The Mazda CX-50 is available with the exact same engines and same power outputs.
For a turbocharged engine, it is very responsive and has more than enough grunt to get the 1,762 kg (3,885 lbs) CX-5 body going off the line without any hesitation. Apart from the Toyota Rav4 Prime, this is one of the most powerful engines in this class of vehicles. It could give more premium and luxury SUVs a run for their money.
If you need to tow, the CX-50 allows for 2,000 lbs with the standard 2.5L engine and up to 3,500 lbs with the Turbo engine. The CX-5 only allows for 2,000 lbs regardless of which engine is under the hood. So that’s one area where the CX-50 trumps the CX-5.
Fuel Economy – Unfortunately, speaking of the Rav4 Prime, the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is not available with any sort of hybridization, neither is the CX-50. But fuel economy is not too bad even with this turbo engine. The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Suna AWD is rated for 10.8 L/100km (21.8 MPG) in a city and 8.7 L/100km (27 MPG) on a highway. I averaged 10.5 L/100km (22.4 MPG) during my time with the CX-5.
Transmission – The Mazda CX-5 still utilizes a 6-speed automatic transmission. While other manufacturers have added more and more gears, Mazda chose to refine their 6-speed automatic. This is by far the best 6-speed auto on the market. Actually, it’s the last of a very, very, very few 6-speeds left. The shifts between gears are not only smooth but quick as well. Additionally, using the paddle shifters is not an exercise in patience as they are quick to respond to the driver’s inputs.
Braking – Stopping the Mazda CX-5 are just regular brakes that you’d find on all other SUVs. However, Mazda has managed to make the brake pedal feel like what you’d find in a sports sedan. It doesn’t take much effort to bring the CX-5 to a stop in everyday traffic and it feels firm under harder braking applications.
Handling – The driving dynamics of the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is one of the other major reasons why consumers, and auto journalists alike, love this crossover SUV. The steering is not only sharp but it feels like as though it’s actually connected to the front wheels. Because of this, the CX5 gives you the confidence to drive it around corners at higher speeds than other SUVs.
The crossover has a few different drive modes to choose from. Normal is for everyday driving. Sport is for more enthusiastic driving while you’re on a twisty mountain road. And Off-Road is meant for light off-roading such as gravel forest service roads. These modes change various parameters such as transmission shift points, throttle response and even engine idle among others.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – With the Mazda CX-5 being a more sporty SUV, the suspension is a bit on the firmer side than its competitors. It’s not so firm that it shakes our teeth but if you value ride comfort above anything else, its competitors such as the Nissan Rogue or Honda CR-V provide more of it.
Interior Space – When it comes to passenger space, the Mazda CX5 provides an ample amount. Front legroom is almost on par with the Toyota Rav4 but the CX5 offers quite a bit more headroom even with the sunroof. In the back, the Mazda doesn’t have as much legroom as the Honda CRV but it still has enough for taller adults like myself at 6’4”. Although my knees touch the back of the front seat behind my driving position, there’s an indent in the back of the seat so I don’t feel squished. As well, headroom is very good in the back. In the CX-50, headroom is not as generous across both rows of seats and both vehicles have almost identical legroom specifications.
Where the Mazda CX-5 lags behind its competitors is cargo volume. With the rear seats up, it can only accommodate 871 L (30.7 cu-ft) of cargo whereas its competitors offer over 1,000 L (35.3 cu-ft) of space. It’s the same story when folding the back seats. The CX5 only has enough room for 1,680 L (59.3 cu-ft) of cargo whereas the CR-V, Rogue, & Rav4 offer around 2,000 L (70.6 cu-ft) of cargo space. By comparison, the Mazda CX-50 has a little bit more cargo space with the rear seats up but less cargo space with the rear seats folded.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Engine noise is prevalent in the cabin of the Mazda CX-5 but I’m actually Ok with that. The reason is because Mazda engines don’t sound the same as other 4-cylinder engines. They sound as though they actually have power & muscle. The engine noise is not deafening – even when accelerating hard – but it’s always there. On highways, road and wind noise is well subdued.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2024 Mazda CX-5 starts at $32,250 CAD ($29,300 USD, S Select) for the GX trim. By comparison, the Mazda CX-50 is just over $7,000 CAD more expensive. Granted, in the United States, the gap is nowhere near as massive between the two but the US market has more trim options.
This CX-5 Suna is just below the top spec Signature trim and it will cost you $44,200 CAD. In the U.S., the closest trim would be the Turbo Premium for $37,800 USD. In Canada, a similarly equipped CX-50 costs roughly the same as this CX-5 but in the United States, it is $3,500 USD more expensive. Additionally, for the Canadian market, the top spec Meridian trim of the CX-50 is $4,300 CAD more expensive than the CX-5 Signature.
Gadgets – Between the two crossover SUVs, the CX-5 can be equipped with the exact same convenience features as the CX-50. They are both available with heated seats in all four corners, a heated steering wheel (but only at the 9 & 3 positions), dual-zone automatic climate controls, power liftgates, built-in navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto connectivity, push button start, wireless phone charging pads, power sunroofs (though the CX-50 is available with a larger sunroof than the CX-5) and Bose audio system to name a few.
Additionally, the Mazda CX-5 can be equipped with features that are not as commonly found in competition crossover SUVs of this size. Some of these include a head-up display which can display blind zone information, ventilated front seats, and surround view cameras.
The infotainment system is controlled exclusively by the rotary knob on the center console. It works well because it was designed to work with it. However, if you use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay often, using the rotary knob to control those apps is like trying to play a first person shooter game with a laptop touchpad. For this model year, the 10.25” screen becomes a touchscreen when using those apps for ease of control.
Interior Design – Although the Mazda CX-5 has been around in this form since 2017, it still feels like a more premium vehicle. From the soft leather to the wood and/or aluminum trim, the interior feels like as though it belongs on a more expensive car.
Exterior Design – As part of the 2022 mid-cycle update, the Mazda CX-5 receives a slightly different front bumper design, new grille design, and new headlight and taillight designs. These changes don’t drastically change the look of the CX-5 but you can immediately tell the 2022+ models from the older models because of those headlights and taillights.
Safety – For 2024, the Mazda CX-5 is equipped with almost all driver and safety aids as standard. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keep, blind spot sensors, and so on. All of it is standard across all trim levels. The only additions are rear automatic emergency braking, adaptive headlights, traffic sign recognition, front & rear parking sensors, and driver attention alert.
Warranty – Mazda offers a very unique industry warranty. The Mazda CX-5 is covered by a 3 year / unlimited km basic warranty and a 5 year / unlimited powertrain warranty. Unfortunately this unlimited km warranty is not available in the United States. In the U.S.A, the warranty is more “normal” at 3 year / 36,000 mile basic & 5 year / 60,000 mile powertrain warranties. For more info on Canadian warranty, click here. For more info on U.S.A. warranty, click here.
Conclusion – So why hasn’t the Mazda CX-50 replaced the CX-5 yet like its siblings? I’m not 100% sure because I’m not a Mazda executive. But if I had to guess, it’s because the cars are very similar and yet one of them costs more than the other. In an ever increasingly expensive world, consumers want more and more value for their money and the CX-50 is a hard sell when the CX-5 is available with the same powertrains, same gadgets, similar interior space, and similar driving dynamics. The only areas where the CX-50 has a leg up on the CX-5 is towing capacity, ground clearance and the larger sunroof. To me and other consumers, that doesn’t justify the higher price tag. So until Mazda can lower the price of the CX-50 to the same levels as the CX-5, the 2024 Mazda CX-5 remains as one of the most fun to drive, family compact SUVs on the market.
Thank you to Mazda Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Mazda.ca
2024 Mazda CX-5 Suna Gallery
