2027 Mazda CX-5 Review: Roomier, Safer, Still Not Quick

The 2027 Mazda CX-5 suits buyers who want standard all-wheel drive, a roomy back seat and a cabin that feels a step above its price. The redesign that arrived for 2026 fixed the old model’s biggest weakness, rear-seat space, and earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The catch is a single 187-hp engine, so it is slow by class standards, and its 26 mpg combined rating trails most rivals.

Trims and Pricing

The third-generation CX-5 launched as a 2026 model, and the 2027 version is largely a carryover with small price increases on most trims and Google built-in with Gemini voice assistant now standard. Every trim uses the same 2.5-liter engine and all-wheel drive, so the price steps are about equipment only. Prices below are manufacturer starting MSRPs and exclude the $1,595 destination charge.

Trim	MSRP from	Key additions
2.5 S	$29,990	12.9-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital gauges, dual-zone climate, full driver-assist suite
2.5 S Select	$32,140	Synthetic leather, keyless entry, wireless charging, wireless phone connectivity
2.5 S Preferred	$34,550	19-inch wheels, power liftgate, heated front seats and steering wheel, head-up display
2.5 S Premium	$37,450	Panoramic moonroof, leather, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, Bose audio
2.5 S Premium Plus	$39,440	15.6-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, lane-centering with lane change assist, adaptive headlights

The 2.5 S Preferred is the trim most buyers should look at first. It adds the features people use every day, such as heated seats, a power liftgate and a head-up display, for roughly $4,500 over the base car. The Premium Plus is the only trim with the upgraded headlights that earned a Good IIHS rating, which is worth knowing if you drive a lot at night.

Powertrain and Fuel Economy

The CX-5 now has just one engine: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel. It drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic. The previous generation’s optional turbocharged engine is gone.

Expert reviewers agree that this is the redesigned CX-5’s main weakness. With a curb weight around 3,856 lb, the engine has to work hard when merging or passing, and published estimates put 0–60 mph at roughly 8 seconds. Reviewers still praise the chassis: steering feel, body control over rough pavement and the quick-reacting AWD system are frequently cited as the reasons to choose this Mazda over its rivals.

The EPA rates every 2027 CX-5 at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined. That is below the gas-only Honda CR-V AWD (29 mpg combined), well below hybrid rivals in the 37–44 mpg range, and roughly in line with other non-hybrid AWD compact SUVs. Mazda has confirmed a hybrid CX-5 is coming, but it is not part of the 2027 lineup at launch.

Interior and Cargo

The new CX-5 grew in length and wheelbase (about 184.6 inches long on a 110.8-inch wheelbase), and most of that went to the back seat. Rear legroom is listed at 39.9 inches, and reviewers widely describe the rear seat as one of the roomiest in the class, a big change from the cramped previous model. The rear doors open wider, and the rear seat now splits 40/20/40, which helps with long items such as skis.

Cargo space is listed at 33.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 66.5 cubic feet with them folded. That is more than before, with a lower load floor and a larger opening, but it is still smaller than the CR-V, Tucson and Sportage. If you regularly fill the cargo area, compare the numbers in our Honda CR-V cargo space guide.

Material quality remains a CX-5 strength. Reviewers note less piano-black trim and nicer touch points, though the move to a mostly touchscreen interface (and the loss of Mazda’s rotary control knob) gets mixed reactions.

Technology and Safety

A 12.9-inch touchscreen is standard, with a 15.6-inch screen on the Premium Plus. Google built-in, including Google Maps and the Gemini voice assistant, is standard for 2027, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless phone connectivity and wireless charging start on the 2.5 S Select.

Mazda’s i-Activsense suite is standard on all trims. It includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic braking, Road Keep Assist, emergency lane keeping, traffic sign recognition, vehicle exit warning and parking sensors. Lane-centering with automatic lane changes and a 360-degree camera are reserved for the top trim.

The 2026 CX-5 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the highest award, and the 2027 model is mechanically unchanged. It received top marks in both small overlap front tests and in the updated moderate overlap test, where IIHS noted good rear-seat belt positioning. In the updated side test, driver torso protection was rated Acceptable. It avoided collisions in all 12 vehicle and pedestrian crash-prevention test runs. Headlights are rated Good on the Premium Plus and Acceptable on the other trims. We could not find a published NHTSA overall rating for this generation at the time of writing.

Reliability and Warranty

Mazda’s warranty is standard for the class but shorter than Hyundai’s and Kia’s:

• Basic: 3 years/36,000 miles
• Powertrain: 5 years/60,000 miles

The 2.5-liter engine and six-speed automatic are proven Mazda components used for years in earlier CX-5s, which is a point in the new model’s favor. Even so, the body, electronics and infotainment are new, and first-model-year vehicles can have early software updates or recalls. Checking NHTSA recall listings for the specific VIN is a sensible step.

Running Costs and the Fuel Trade-Off

The CX-5’s low entry price is partly offset by its fuel use, so it is worth doing the math for your own driving. At 15,000 miles a year, a 26 mpg vehicle burns about 577 gallons of fuel. A 40 mpg hybrid covering the same distance uses about 375 gallons, roughly 200 gallons less every year. Multiply that by your local fuel price to see whether a hybrid rival’s higher sticker price pays off.

The gap shrinks if you drive less. At 8,000 miles a year the difference is closer to 110 gallons, and the CX-5’s standard AWD, safety record and lower purchase price may matter more. Standard all-wheel drive also means you are not paying the $1,400–$1,500 AWD option that several rivals charge. Insurance and maintenance costs vary by location and driver, so get quotes before deciding.

Mazda’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty is shorter than Hyundai’s and Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile coverage, which is another cost factor for owners who keep their vehicles past the third year.

How It Compares to the Honda CR-V

The CX-5 undercuts the CR-V on price with standard AWD: $29,990 plus destination for the Mazda versus $33,815 including destination for an AWD CR-V LX. The Mazda also earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, an award the current CR-V did not receive, and most reviewers rate its steering and handling as more engaging.

The CR-V counters with a bigger cargo area, better fuel economy (29 mpg combined for the gas AWD model and 37–40 mpg for the hybrid), and a hybrid option that Mazda does not offer yet. The CR-V Hybrid’s 204 hp also gives it a clear power advantage over the Mazda’s 187 hp. Our Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5 comparison goes deeper, and our CR-V vs RAV4 vs CX-5 performance comparison puts the three side by side. For the Honda alone, see our Honda CR-V review.

Who Should Buy It

The 2027 CX-5 is a strong pick for buyers in snowy states who want AWD without paying extra, families who need a genuinely comfortable back seat, and drivers who care about how an SUV steers and handles. Its safety record makes it an easy recommendation for new drivers, too.

It is a weaker choice if you drive long distances and want low fuel costs, if you tow, or if you want strong acceleration. In those cases a hybrid RAV4, CR-V Hybrid or Sportage Hybrid fits better, or you can wait for Mazda’s promised CX-5 hybrid.

FAQ

Does the 2027 Mazda CX-5 still have a turbo engine?

No. The redesigned CX-5 uses only a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The previous generation’s turbocharged 2.5-liter was dropped.

Is all-wheel drive standard on the CX-5?

Yes. Every 2027 CX-5 trim comes with i-Activ AWD at no extra cost.

What is the CX-5’s real fuel economy?

The EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined (24 city/30 highway) for all trims. Real results depend on driving style; one published review recorded about 22 mpg in mixed testing.

Is there a Mazda CX-5 hybrid?

Not yet. Mazda has said a hybrid version is coming, but it is not part of the initial 2027 lineup.

How we rate: scores are based on published specifications, EPA estimates, IIHS/NHTSA results, warranty coverage and the consensus of independent expert reviews. Prices are manufacturer starting MSRPs and change often — confirm with a dealer.