2025 Mazda CX-5 Review | Popular SUV With Comfort & Tech

The Mazda CX-5 has long been a cornerstone of the Australian SUV market. Since its launch, it has consistently ranked as one of the best-selling midsize SUVs, loved by families, commuters, and anyone seeking a blend of practicality, style, and engaging driving dynamics. For 2025, Mazda hasn’t reinvented the wheel but has sharpened the CX-5 with updates in design, safety, and technology while ensuring it remains a value-packed choice for Aussie drivers.

This review takes a deep dive into everything the 2025 Mazda CX-5 has to offer — from styling and features to performance, safety, ownership costs, and how it compares against rivals.

Design and Styling

Mazda’s design philosophy, Kodo – Soul of Motion, continues to shine in the 2025 CX-5. It’s an SUV that avoids the aggressive, boxy look common in some competitors, instead favouring clean lines and understated elegance.

The front fascia gets subtle tweaks, with a sharper grille pattern and sleeker LED headlights that now come standard across the range. The silhouette remains familiar but refined, with sculpted sides and a slightly more muscular stance thanks to subtle wheel arch flares. Buyers can choose from new exterior colours, including a richer shade of Soul Red Crystal and a deep metallic blue that looks particularly striking under the Australian sun.

Alloy wheel designs have also been refreshed, with sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches depending on the trim. The higher-spec variants feature gloss-black elements and chrome highlights, reinforcing their premium appeal.

For many Australian buyers, the CX-5’s design strikes the perfect balance — stylish enough to feel premium but not ostentatious.

Interior and Comfort

Step inside the 2025 Mazda CX-5, and you’ll immediately notice the brand’s attention to detail. Mazda continues to blur the line between mainstream and luxury, offering a cabin that feels closer to premium brands than its price tag suggests.

Cabin Layout

The dashboard is clean and minimal, with soft-touch materials across key surfaces. Even base models benefit from high-quality plastics and neatly stitched trims. The centre console has been redesigned for improved storage, with deeper cupholders and a wireless charging pad now included as standard.

Seating

The CX-5 remains a true five-seater, with no seven-seat option. The front seats are generously padded, supportive, and available with heating and ventilation on higher trims. In the back, passengers enjoy good legroom and headroom, though taller adults may find rear knee space tighter compared to some rivals like the Hyundai Tucson.

Comfort Features

• Dual-zone climate control is standard across the range.
• Premium models add tri-zone climate and rear air vents for passengers.
• Noise insulation has been improved, reducing wind and road noise on highways.

The result is a cabin that feels calm and comfortable — ideal for long Aussie road trips or the daily commute.

Infotainment and Technology

Technology is an area where Mazda has made meaningful strides in the 2025 CX-5.

• 10.25-inch infotainment screen (standard across the range) with higher resolution graphics.
• Mazda Connect OS with improved responsiveness.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
• Digital instrument cluster (on higher trims) with customisable layouts.
• Head-up display projecting navigation and speed data on premium variants.
• Bose 10-speaker premium audio system optional on mid trims, standard on top trims.

Mazda has also added a new connected services suite, allowing owners to use a smartphone app for remote functions like locking/unlocking, checking fuel levels, and pre-conditioning the cabin.

This tech upgrade ensures the CX-5 feels modern and competitive against newer rivals like the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4.

Engine and Performance

The 2025 CX-5 continues with Mazda’s proven engine lineup in Australia, offering both petrol and diesel options.

2.0-Litre Petrol

• Power: 115kW
• Torque: 200Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  Best suited for urban buyers who prioritise efficiency over outright performance.

2.5-Litre Petrol

• Power: 140kW
• Torque: 252Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: Available with AWD
  This is the sweet spot for most Australian families, offering a strong balance of power and efficiency.

2.5-Litre Turbo Petrol

• Power: 170kW
• Torque: 420Nm
• AWD only
  Ideal for drivers who want brisk acceleration and towing capability. The turbo engine makes the CX-5 feel lively, particularly on highways or when overtaking.

2.2-Litre Diesel

• Power: 140kW
• Torque: 450Nm
• AWD only
  A great option for regional buyers who tow regularly or drive long distances, thanks to strong torque and efficiency.

Driving Experience

Mazda’s hallmark has always been its engaging drive, and the 2025 CX-5 is no exception. The steering is direct, body roll is well-controlled, and the suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and handling. It feels more car-like than many rivals, which is why so many Australian buyers gravitate to it.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel economy remains competitive, though not class-leading. Official figures vary depending on the engine:

• 2.0L petrol: ~7.2L/100km
• 2.5L petrol: ~7.5L/100km (FWD), ~8.2L/100km (AWD)
• 2.5L turbo: ~8.5L/100km
• 2.2L diesel: ~6.0L/100km

For urban commuters, the 2.0L or 2.5L petrol is adequate, while regional drivers will appreciate the diesel’s long-range efficiency.

Safety Features

Mazda continues to take safety seriously, and the 2025 CX-5 comes with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems under the brand’s i-Activsense banner.

Standard features include:

• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic sign recognition

Higher trims add a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and improved adaptive headlights.

The CX-5 has consistently earned a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, making it a reassuring choice for Australian families.

Practicality and Cargo Space

The CX-5 is designed with everyday usability in mind.

• Boot capacity: 438 litres with seats up, expanding to 1,340 litres with seats folded.
• Wide tailgate opening and low load lip for easy access.
• Split-fold 40/20/40 rear seats allow flexible cargo/passenger arrangements.
• Roof rails standard on higher trims, making it easier for camping gear or surfboards.

While rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V offer slightly larger boots, the CX-5’s clever storage solutions and practical layout remain appealing.

Pricing and Trim Levels in Australia

Mazda offers the 2025 CX-5 in multiple trims to suit different buyers, from value-focused to premium-leaning. Pricing (drive-away estimates in Australia) is as follows:

• Maxx: from ~$36,000
• Maxx Sport: from ~$39,000
• Touring: from ~$44,000
• GT SP: from ~$50,000
• Akera: from ~$54,000

Each step up adds features such as larger wheels, premium audio, leather seating, advanced safety, and technology enhancements.

Ownership Costs

Mazda continues to offer five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, in line with key rivals. Servicing intervals are every 10,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Capped-price servicing keeps ownership costs predictable, though the 10,000km interval is shorter than some rivals (e.g., Toyota’s 15,000km). Insurance premiums are average for the segment, with slightly higher costs on turbo models.

Depreciation is relatively strong thanks to the CX-5’s popularity and reputation for reliability.

Rivals and Comparisons

The midsize SUV market in Australia is fiercely competitive. Key rivals to the Mazda CX-5 include:

• Toyota RAV4: Offers hybrid options and better fuel economy but lacks the CX-5’s dynamic drive.
• Hyundai Tucson: Bigger interior and longer servicing intervals, but interior refinement isn’t quite as premium.
• Kia Sportage: Generous tech and a seven-year warranty, though pricing can climb in higher trims.
• Honda CR-V (2025 model): Strong practicality with a larger boot and optional seven seats, but higher entry pricing.
• Subaru Forester: Standard AWD and excellent safety, though the engine feels underpowered compared to Mazda’s turbo option.

Mazda positions the CX-5 as the driver’s choice in the segment — refined, premium, and enjoyable behind the wheel.

Who Should Buy the 2025 Mazda CX-5?

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is ideal for:

• Families wanting a safe, stylish SUV without stepping into premium pricing.
• Commuters looking for a comfortable, tech-laden daily driver.
• Regional buyers needing strong diesel torque and all-wheel drive.
• Drivers who appreciate sharp handling and a premium-feeling interior.

It may not be the outright cheapest, nor the most spacious, but the CX-5 delivers a well-rounded package that appeals to a wide range of Australians.

Final Verdict

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 continues its reign as one of Australia’s favourite SUVs, blending style, safety, comfort, and tech in a way that feels premium without the hefty price tag. Whether you’re navigating the school run, heading on a coastal road trip, or commuting in the city, the CX-5 is a versatile companion that ticks most boxes.

For those seeking an SUV that looks good, drives well, and is packed with features, the CX-5 remains a top contender.