Used Mazda CX-5 cars for sale

It’s fair to say that the choice of mid-size SUVs on sale is mind-boggling. Every mainstream manufacturer has at least one, usually marketed at adventurous types who frolic around on canoes and surfboards. Few people are really like that, but SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 deal with the mundane day-to-day stuff really well – and let you let your wild side out if you’re so inclined.

Mazda CX-5 buying guide

What Mazda CX-5 trim levels are there?

Right then. Up until 2022, you could get the CX-5 in SE-L, Sport and GT Sport trims, with a Nav or Nav+ suffix if it came with Mazda’s navigation system. All come with two-zone air con and an infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB radio. Sport adds a rear-view camera, bigger wheels, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry. GT Sport gets wood trim, upgraded leather and heated rear seats. A Kuro special edition was also offered.

For 2023, the line-up is Centre-Line, Newground, Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi. Centre-Line largely matches SE-L, and Newground adds bigger wheels, heated seats and lime green accents. Exclusive-Line matches Sport for equipment (but also gets a powered tailgate), and Homura adds black detailing inside and out. Top-spec Takumi takes over from GT Sport.

Mazda CX-5 interior and technology

The main thing to remember is that the media screen doesn’t respond to you prodding it once you’re on the move. You need to use the rotary dial under the gear lever to control the infotainment functions. That’s certainly unusual, but there are several benefits once you’ve got used to it – for example, you won’t be taking your eyes off the road for as long, and you won’t get greasy fingerprint marks all over the screen. Win win.

All the other controls are intuitively laid out and feel solid to the touch. That’s the theme running through the interior – materials that feel almost as solid and as plush as what you’d find in the likes of an Audi Q5 or BMW X3. You’ll notice that the CX-5 sticks with analogue dials even though digital dials are becoming much more common. This is a deliberate move, and the dials are easier to read than some of the high-tech alternatives.

Mazda CX-5 engine range explained

(Most popular) Mazda CX-5 2.0 petrol

The 165hp petrol engine will suit drivers who have a short-to-medium annual mileage. It’s not the fastest engine on the block, but it’s about as economical as a Nissan Qashqai and really smooth. Plus, if you’re going to be running a CX-5 for a long time, the 2.0-litre petrol seems to be incredibly long-lasting and reliable by all accounts.

Mazda CX-5 2.5 petrol

Above the 2.0-litre engine is a 194hp 2.5-litre petrol, which only comes with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. It’s limited to the very top-spec car. It’s a little quicker than the 2.0 but a little less economical, too.

Mazda CX-5 2.2 diesel

Mazda’s long-serving 2.2-litre diesel is quite impressive, providing plenty of power and up to 50mpg if you choose front-driven manual versions. There are 150hp and 184hp versions, with both having a choice of gearboxes and the latter also offering all-wheel drive. Mazda seems to have sorted most of the reliability issues that blighted earlier examples of this engine, but you’ll still need to make sure you do longer journeys on a reasonably regular basis.