Skip advert
Advertisement

Mazda CX-5 SUV (2012-2017) - Reliability & safety

Owners have reported few problems with the Mazda CX-5 and it has an excellent safety rating, too

Carbuyer Rating

4.2 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

The Mazda CX-5 continues the Mazda tradition of producing dependable, owner-pleasing cars, with very few faults reported and generally strong results in customer satisfaction surveys. It also received top marks for safety from testing body Euro NCAP, helped in part by the fact that every model in the range gets the full complement of safety kit – not just the more expensive versions.

Mazda CX-5 reliability

Mazda has long been known for producing robust and dependable cars, and the CX-5 looks set to continue that trend. Although its interior doesn’t look particularly classy, it does feel tough and well made, so it should be able to put up with several years of family motoring.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Owners ranked the CX-5 64th overall and 87th for reliability out of 200 models in our Driver Power 2015 customer satisfaction survey. In the 2016 results, the CX-5 improved to 49th out of 150 models overall, coming 82nd for reliability. Respondents seemed generally happy with its ease of use and practicality, but scored the CX-5 down for running costs and in-car technology.

As an overall brand, Mazda was ranked ninth out of 32 manufacturers, indicating buyers are pretty satisfied with the overall dealer and ownership experience.

Safety

The Mazda CX-5 was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2012, when it achieved the maximum five-star overall safety rating, along with a 94% score for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection and 64% for pedestrian protection. Its score was reviewed in 2014 and 2015 and remained at five stars each time.

Unlike some manufacturers, Mazda doesn't cut corners with safety equipment on lower-spec models. Every version of the CX-5 – from the cheapest SE-L to the most expensive Sport Nav – has front and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, a city braking system and tyre-pressure monitoring. Driver assistance tech like lane assist and blind-spot detection systems also come as standard.

This is an impressive line-up, but the newer Nissan Qashqai offers some even more advanced safety technologies, such as lane-departure warning and a traffic-sign recognition camera, which aren’t available on the Mazda.

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