Skip advert
Advertisement

Mazda CX-5 SUV (2012-2017) - Engines, drive & performance

The Mazda CX-5 is a fast and fun-to-drive family car that leaves most of its rivals standing

Carbuyer Rating

4.2 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Engines, drive & performance Rating

4.3 out of 5

The Mazda CX-5 has been made as light as possible in order to maximise fuel consumption, but this also means it's surprisingly good fun to drive for such a large and practical car. Anyone who's driven the superb Mazda MX-5 roadster will notice that a hint of that model's agility and eagerness has been transferred to the CX-5.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Direct, well weighted steering, a tight, precise gearbox and powerful, responsive engines combine to make this probably the most satisfying SUV driving experience you can get. In comparison, while the Nissan Qashqai handles well, its engines can feel overwhelmed by steep hills or a full load of passengers and luggage. On the downside, both the automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive can dull the CX-5's sharpness a little bit, while the slightly cheaper Skoda Yeti is also unexpectedly entertaining to drive.

The CX-5 has fairly soft suspension, so it can lean a bit if you go around corners quickly, but it's far from the worst in the class in this regard. The benefit of the soft suspension is a supremely comfortable ride, even on very poor surfaces.

Mazda CX-5 diesel engines

Mazda offers two versions of the same 2.2-litre diesel engine in the CX-5. The first produces 148bhp and is available with either a manual or automatic gearbox and two or four-wheel drive in the SE-L Nav specification. It gets the CX-5 from 0-62mph in a respectable 9.4 seconds (or 10.1 seconds for the automatic). In the SE-L Lux Nav trim level, you're restricted to this engine with two-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.

The more powerful 2.2-litre diesel produces 173bhp and is only available in range-topping Sport Nav trim with four-wheel drive (although you do have a choice of manual or automatic transmission). This engine powers the CX-5 from 0-62mph in nine seconds (or 9.5 for the automatic). However, we think the 148bhp version will be more than adequate for most people's needs, as well as representing better value for money in the cheaper trim levels.

Petrol engine

There's only one petrol engine available for the CX-5: a 163bhp 2.0-litre that can be specified in SE-L Nav or range-topping Sport Nav trim. Neither automatic transmission nor four-wheel drive is available with the petrol engine, and it's also less economical than the 148bhp diesel, while taking longer (10.4 seconds) to go from 0-62mph. For this reason, it's hard to recommend unless you do a fairly low annual mileage or just prefer the generally quieter, smoother nature of petrol engines.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mazda CX-5 review - a sleek, left-field family SUV
2022 Mazda CX-5
In-depth reviews
12 Feb 2024

Mazda CX-5 review - a sleek, left-field family SUV

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range
Ford Explorer Carbuyer UK drive
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024