2025 Mazda CX-5 Buyer’s Guide: Engine, Interior, Features & More
Mazda is a globally known automotive manufacturer with its first car launched in 1960. The company is known previously for rotary engines. Mazda introduced the first of its kind CX-5, the successor of both the CX-7 and Mazda Tribute.
Mazda CX-5 is lighter in weight than its previous generation, with only sole purpose of improving the fuel efficiency. In the article, we will thoroughly review the engine options, color options, exterior and interior upgrades, along with dimensions and safety features of the 2025 Mazda CX-5:
Engine Options and Transmission
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 has a standard six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system in all trim levels. However, there are two main engine options offered across eight trim levels; the first being naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline engines:
Base Engine: SKYACTIV-G 2.5l Naturally Aspirated Inline-4
The CX-5 is equipped SKYACTIV-G 2.5L engine. This engine produces 187 horsepower (186 lb-ft of torque). The SKYACTIV engines use modern fuel injection technology for better combustion and fuel efficiency.
Not only that, the engine is much smoother for daily driving. CX-5 has a fuel average estimated at 23 mpg (in city) and 29 mpg (on highway) in the U.S market, which are pretty impressive figures, whose credit goes to its Cylinder Deactivation and i-Stop (auto start-stop) systems.
Turbocharged Engine: SKYACTIV-G 2.5T Dynamic Pressure Turbo Inline-4
The 2025 CX-5 also has an option for a turbocharged 2.5-litre gasoline engine. This engine, however, produces more juice than its counterpart. On figures, it gives nearly 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque to its wheels.
Since Mazda is already well-acknowledged for its sports and rotary engines, this engine configuration has a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injectors that push its low-end torque and make it more responsive.
2025 Mazda CX-5 Engine Comparison
| Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | Transmission / Drivetrain |
| 2.5L NA Inline-4 (SKYACTIV-G) | 187 hp | 186 lb-ft | 23 / 29 MPG | 6-speed automatic / AWD |
| 2.5L Turbo Inline-4 (SKYACTIV-G) | 256 hp | 320 lb-ft | ~22 / 27 MPG (est.) | 6-speed automatic / AWD + paddle shifters |
Transmission and Drivetrain:
All trim levels, whether turbocharged or base, come with Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel-drive system, which is intelligently programmed to adjust the torque distribution in real-time for better traction and stability.
The Mazda CX-5 has a six-speed automatic transmission combined with its all-wheel-drive system, which makes it way smoother in gear shifting and manual gear selection (only through paddle shifters on turbocharged variants). However, Mazda strongly believes in traditional automatic gearboxes, so you cannot expect any CVT transmission in the CX-5.
Exterior Design and Styling
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is based on Mazda’s recent design philosophy named “Kodo,” which focuses on sleek looks with flowing lines to make a car more sporty visually. That’s not it, the overall exterior design is also aesthetically appealing, and has an athletic stance.
On the front fascia, you see a grand, bolder, eye-catching grill with a modern design and company emblem at the centre, which is even more complemented by sleek-looking LED headlights.
Coming towards the ear fascia, Mazda CX-5 features a balanced design which is not too over sporty nor too basic; just a perfect combination of classic style and modern taillights. However, the rear bumpers make you feel it’s a sporty car, or that element was under consideration will designing the vehicle.
In terms of paint choices, you will have a vibrant palette, including Jet Black Mica, Rhodium White Metallic, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Gray Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Platinum Quartz Metallic, and Polymetal Gray Metallic.
Body Dimensions and Ground Clearance
The 2025 CX-5 has body dimensions of 4,575mm in length and a wheelbase of 2,698 mm. However, the overall body width is 1,844 mm (or 72.6 inches). The 2025 Mazda CX-5 has a balanced dimension profile.
The ground clearance is also practical at 193mm (17-inch wheels) and 201 mm (19-inch wheels). Given the figures, it is also ready for mild off-roading and tighter handling as the approach and departure angles are 17º and 22.5º, respectively, which makes it perfect for maneuverability and interior comfort.
Interior Design and Cabin
This year’s CX-5 has a more refined interior with main materials made from layered wood for the trims, and Nappa leather (optional on higher trims). Mazda truly offers value-for-money materials in the cabin; you can select between leatherette, leather, or cloth fabric. Additionally, you get matched stitching carpet floor mats.
Regarding seating comfort, the seats have been upgraded to be more durable, have better cushioning, and premium leatherette and genuine leather upholstery. The top trim level (2.5 Turbo Signature) has heated and ventilated power-adjustment front seats and memory functions.
Since the overall dashboard is clean, sleek, and modern, so is the instrument cluster. Mazda has been thoughtfully designing its interiors to be focused on the driver. Therefore, its instrument cluster is contemporary yet classic with a perfect combination of analogue dials and digital display, which makes it much easier to read stats.
Spacing Features
In terms of passengers, the CX-5 can comfortably have five passengers, providing nearly 103.6 cubic feet of passenger volume. The cabin is purposely designed to be spacious, with more space in headroom and enough legroom too.
The CX-5’s cargo space is bigger than we thought, and it can easily compete with its competitors. The estimated size is 29 to 31 cubic feet behind the rear seats, however, you will get some extra space of 59.3 cubic feet if the rear seats are folded down.
2025 Mazda CX-5 – Features Overview
Here is the overview of notable features of the 2025 Mazda CX-5:
| Category | Feature Highlights |
| Performance | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L NA or 2.5L Turbo Engine, AWD standard, 6-speed automatic transmission |
| Fuel Economy | Up to 23 MPG (City) / 29 MPG (Highway) with cylinder deactivation and i-Stop |
| Drive Modes | Sport Mode, Off-Road Mode (on select trims) |
| Exterior | Kodo design, LED headlights, bold front grille, multiple metallic color options |
| Wheels | 17-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on trim |
| Interior | Nappa leather (top trims), layered wood accents, heated/ventilated seats |
| Infotainment | 10.25″ infotainment display, wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, Bose sound system |
| Seating | 5-passenger capacity, leather/cloth options, memory seats on upper trims |
| Cargo Space | 29–31 cu ft (seats up), 59.3 cu ft (seats down) |
| Safety | Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, 360° camera |
| Tech Add-ons | Head-Up Display, Mazda Navigation, Traffic Sign Recognition, paddle shifters |
Trim Levels & Details
Mazda CX-5 has eight trim levels, specifically divided by two engine types: naturally aspirated and turbocharged. The detailed features of these trim levels are as follows:
2.5 S Series (Naturally Aspirated 2.5l Engine)
2.5 S
- LED headlights
- 10.25-inch infotainment display
- Cloth seats
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control
- Lane Keep Assist
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
2.5 S Select
- Leatherette upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Auto-levelling LED headlights
- Rear privacy glass
2.5 S Preferred
- Leather seats
- 8-way power driver’s seat with memory
- Power moonroof
- Power rear liftgate with programmable height
2.5 S Carbon Edition
- Exclusive Polymetal Grey Metallic paint
- 19-inch black wheels
- Black exterior trim accents
- Bose premium audio system
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
2.5 S Premium Plus
- 19-inch wheels
- Sport and off-road drive modes
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- 360-degree camera system
Turbocharged 2.5 Turbo Series (Turbocharged 2.5l Engine)
2.5 Carbon Turbo
- Turbocharged engine (227 hp on regular fuel)
- Adaptive front LED Light
- Sport and off-road drive modes
- Windshield-projected active driving display
- Zircon Sand Metallic paint
- 19-inch black wheels
- Terracotta leather-trimmed seats
- Paddle shifters
- SiriusXM Satellite Radio
2.5 Turbo Premium
- Larger 12.6-inch disc brakes
- SKYACTIV G-Vectoring Control Plus
- Gloss black exterior accents
- Red stitching on black leather-trimmed seats
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Windshield wiper de-icers
- Traffic Jam Assist
2.5 Turbo Signature
- Caturra Brown Nappa leather-trimmed seats
- Genuine layered wood interior trim
- Upgraded LED interior lights
- Mazda Navigation System with off-road mode
- Traffic Sign Recognition System
- Auto-dimming rearview frameless mirror
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Like most automotive manufacturers, Mazda has a core focus on driver and passenger safety. to meet the international safety standards, some of the features are ABS brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, multiple airbags, and stability control systems.
The previous generations of the Mazda CX-5 had reasonably high safety scores from IIHS and NHTSA, which screams Mazda’s commitment to passenger safety. However, the 2025 model has not received any formal safety rating from any international organization yet.
The overall body structure and suspension are designed thoughtfully and accordingly to reduce the intensity of any possible impact in a front collision. In addition to that, the Mazda CX-5 also has adaptive cruise control along with lane-keeping assist.
Conclusion
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is the best mid-range SUV, with good fuel economy and a perfect choice for the family. It also has a reliable six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive on all trim levels. With eight available trim levels, the CX-5 offers different options and additional upgrades.
