More than any other mainstream compact crossover, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 makes its driver feel special. With a price tag that’s much closer to a Honda CR-V’s than a Porsche Macan’s, the Mazda is accessible to the same demographic group as the former, but it’s also able to impress those who fall into the latter’s tax bracket. The CX-5’s base four-cylinder engine doesn’t highlight its dynamic driving personality as well as the optional turbocharged four, but all models have a ride-and-handling balance that’s unrivaled in this segment. There are more practical alternatives, especially when it concerns cargo space, but no competitors can match the Mazda’s elegantly styled and richly appointed interior. The 2022 CX-5’s transcendent traits simply outpace all of its classmates.
For 2022, Mazda massages the CX-5’s already attractive bodywork with smoother surfaces on the front and rear. Its grille also becomes more distinctive with a new three-dimensional mesh texture and wings that extend outwards toward the reshaped LED headlights. Inside, the seats have been updated to be more supportive. Mazda says it also retuned the transmission to be smoother and more responsive. Likewise, suspension improvements are said to make the CX-5 handle and ride even better than before. All models now come standard with all-wheel drive, and the SUV’s driving behavior is more adjustable thanks to new drive-mode settings. The Grand Touring Reserve trim is now called Turbo, and the top-tier Signature trim has body-color cladding instead of the previous dark color.
We think the new Turbo trim best exemplifies the CX-5. With the upgraded 250-hp turbocharged engine, its quickness better corresponds with its athletic handling. Its exterior is elegantly sporty with trim-specific gloss-black accents. Its interior mirrors that sportiness with red accents and stitching.
The CX-5’s standard 187-hp four-cylinder engine has a great throttle response when pulling away from stoplights or hustling around town, so it feels quicker than it actually is. It’s at higher speeds, such as when trying to pass or merge onto the freeway, that it feels underpowered. The 250-hp turbocharged version we tested provided much quicker acceleration. Both engines pair with a snappy six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. You don’t need to drive the CX-5 hard to enjoy it or to appreciate its excellence. Sure, its precise steering and composed cornering make for one helluva Sunday cruise. But it also soaks up rough roads without commotion and has the ride quality of crossovers that cost twice as much. This harmonious interplay of dynamics is unrivaled by its competitors. Pavement imperfections are isolated, road noise is minimal, and the damping is neither stiff nor floaty. At the same time, the Mazda comes alive on curvy roads. The electrically assisted steering provides satisfying responses. The Signature model we tested had a reassuring brake-pedal feel that operated without delay and without being too touchy when you apply the brakes.
Every model boasts a 10.3-inch infotainment display that’s primarily manipulated through a rotary controller and volume knob on the center console. The interface also operates through voice commands and buttons on the steering wheel. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board. The CX-5 comes with Mazda Connected Services that includes access to remote vehicle functions via a smartphone app and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot.
The CX-5 comes standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technology and some other optional assists. For more information about the CX-5’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
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