The Best Year For The Mazda CX-5

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Mazda steering wheel

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The compact SUV segment is one of the most saturated markets in the automotive industry. With plenty of popular and highly-rated SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it’s easy to overlook specific makes and models. One particular SUV that’s quite underrated nowadays is the Mazda CX-5.

Unlike many leading compact SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 has only been around for a decade. With its striking exterior design, good performance, and long-term reliability, it didn’t take long for the gearhead community to fall in love with the CX-5.

If you’re looking to buy a used SUV, the CX-5 is one of the best models to shop for. But like many used vehicles for sale, some CX-5 years are better than others. In that case, you’re probably wondering which is the best year for Mazda CX-5. CoPilot recommends the 2018 Mazda CX-5.

2018 Is the Best Year for Mazda CX-5

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 offers an outstanding balance of driving dynamics, good fuel economy, high safety ratings, and a strong value proposition. Furthermore, the 2018 CX-5 boasts high reliability scores and reviews from various experts and owners. We debated picking the 2015 model year, but the first generation of CX-5 has its fair share of reliability concerns.

Meanwhile, the 2018 CX-5 is also part of the second-generation redesign, so you have a relatively modern-looking SUV in your hands. In addition, since it’s a more recent model, you can benefit from more advanced infotainment and safety features.

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How Much is the Mazda CX-5? 

According to Truecar.com, the average price for a used 2018 Mazda CX-5 is $14,988 to $33,995. If you’re tight on budget and don’t mind a higher mileage SUV, you can find a used 2018 CX-5 Sport (lowest trim level) FWD with 120k miles for less than $15k. Meanwhile, a used 2018 CX-5 Sport AWD with a little over 10k miles can be yours for about $22,000.

The 2018 CX-5 Touring offers more features and amenities than the base model, including 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, leatherette seats, keyless entry/start, and more safety features. For the Touring trim level, we found a used 2018 CX-5 with 80k+ miles for $19,998, which is quite a deal. Meanwhile, the exact trim model with an AWD drivetrain and less than 30k miles is available for $23,499.

For the top-shelf trim Grand Touring, you can find a used 2018 CX-5 FWD with close to 100k miles for $19,900. On the other hand, a Grand Touring 2018 CX-5 AWD with a little over 20k miles is available for $28,490. The Grand Touring CX-5 includes all Sport and Touring features, including full-LED lighting with Adaptive Front-Lighting System, leather-trimmed seats, navigation, and a Bose 10-speaker audio sound system.

The Specs of the 2018 Mazda CX-5

With the 2018 release, the CX-5 is one of the few compact SUVs with a turbocharged engine – a 2.5-liter inline-four that cranks out 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. What separates the CX-5 from the competition is its attractive styling and engaging driving dynamics. The engine of the 2018 CX-5 is refined and mated to a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. This was notable because the CX-5’s competitors generally use continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs).

If you love a more involved driving experience, the 2018 CX-5 is one of the more fun-to-drive compact SUVs. You’ll immediately notice that the CX-5 feels light to drive and demonstrates outstanding agility, especially around turns. Moreover, the sharp turning radius and quick steering make the CX-5 a breeze to park and maneuver. 

Furthermore, the 2018 CX-5 benefited from a more upscale cabin with first-rate materials, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a shift knob to round up the overall sophistication. This updated generation of the CX-5 comes with less cargo space, but it does make up for it with more storage compartments for smartphones and other small items.

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Lastly, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 delivers good fuel economy at 25⁄31 mpg city/highway for FWD models and 24⁄30 mpg for AWD. With the right equipment, the CX-5 can tow up to 2,000 lbs.

2018 Mazda CX-5 Reliability and Recalls

According to RepairPal, the Mazda CX-5 has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, making it the top-ranked midsize SUV in reliability. The 2018 CX-5 was rated 3.5 out of 5.0 by J.D. Power, a slightly above-average score. Owners of the CX-5 can look forward to a low annual maintenance cost of $447 and a lower-than-average frequency of repairs.

Over at CarComplaints.com, the 2018 CX-5 has 131 NHTSA complaints as of this writing. Its top three reliability issues, according to owners, include:

  • Dragging brakes
  • Vibrations during cold temperatures
  • Excessive engine noise

As of this writing, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 has three recalls concerning the side curtain airbags not deploying correctly, potential fuel pump failure, and a software error that may cause an engine stall.

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2018 Mazda CX-5 Safety Features and Ratings

The 2018 model is also the best year for Mazda CX-5 in terms of safety. The 2018 CX-5 received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and had stellar scores for the institution’s crashworthiness test, with “Good” ratings across the board. On the flip side, the NHTSA gave the 2018 CX-5 an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with high scores for various crash and rollover tests.

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 uses the i-ACTIVSENSE technology, the company’s safety innovations suite. You can feel safe driving this Mazda SUV with advanced safety features like rear-cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, smart brake support, and more.

Other Mazda CX-5 Years to Consider

At the top of our list is the 2015 CX-5. Its overall reliability and value proposition made it the best year for Mazda CX-5. It’s an older model, but we’ve only found a few complaints, and most are singing high praise for this SUV. Plus, we’ve seen used models sold with over 200k miles on the odometer. The average price for a used 2015 CX-5 is $8,995 to $24,998.

Worst Years of the Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is a well-regarded compact SUV, but some model years have had more reported issues than others. Here are some of the worst years for the Mazda CX-5, based on reported problems, recalls, and consumer complaints:

2013 Mazda CX-5:

  • Transmission issues, including rough shifting, abnormal noises, and failure.
  • Problems with the vehicle’s brakes, such as premature wear and noise.
  • Some reports of engine problems, including stalling and reduced power.

2014 Mazda CX-5:

  • Persistent transmission problems, including slipping and hesitation.
  • Issues with the vehicle’s suspension, including noises and vibrations.
  • Widespread electrical issues, including freezing and connectivity issues.

2015 Mazda CX-5:

  • Engine problems, including oil leaks and low speed turbo failure.
  • Problems with the vehicle’s electrical system, such as malfunctioning lights and forward Collision Warning System not working.
  • Some owners experienced issues with the vehicle’s air conditioning system.

2016 Mazda CX-5:

  • Issues with the vehicle’s brakes, including noise and reduced effectiveness.
  • Transmission problems, such as rough shifting and failure.
  • Complaints of light failures, including faulty low/high beam and flickering lights

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