The compact SUV segment is crowded, competitive, and incredibly demanding. Buyers today expect more than just practicality. They want style, performance, technology, safety, comfort, and reliability, all without breaking the bank. Among dozens of capable options, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 manages to stand out, offering a driving experience that genuinely elevates the everyday commute, the weekend road trip, and everything in between.
Mazda has always walked a slightly different path compared to mainstream automakers. While competitors often emphasize utility above all else, Mazda values emotion, design, and the simple joy of driving. The 2021 CX-5 carries this philosophy forward, combining premium aesthetics, confident handling, and well rounded capabilities in a package that appeals to both car enthusiasts and practical minded families alike.
In this detailed review, we explore what makes this SUV special. We dive into performance, interior quality, real world ownership, fuel economy, comfort, safety ratings, trims, options, resale value, and even potential drawbacks. If you are evaluating compact crossovers, this is the sort of perspective that helps you look beyond spec sheets and see how a vehicle truly lives.
A First Impression That Sticks
Slip the key fob into your pocket and approach the 2021 CX-5, and you sense immediately that it was sculpted rather than assembled. Mazda’s Kodo design language, which emphasizes motion even at a standstill, works exceptionally well here. The front fascia looks bold without being aggressive, the grille is tastefully shaped, the headlights are slim and intentional, and the body curves communicate quiet confidence.
Most SUVs strive to look rugged. The CX-5 strives to look refined. It succeeds.
Among the color palette, Mazda Soul Red Crystal Metallic deserves special mention for how it brings dimension and richness to the exterior. Wheel sizes range from 17 inches on the entry trim to 19 inches on higher trims, giving the SUV a poised stance that complements its overall design vision.
Even after weeks of ownership, many 2021 CX-5 drivers report still glancing back after parking. That is a real measure of aesthetic longevity.
Performance That Prioritizes Drivers
Mazda understands that power means nothing without control. The 2021 CX-5 comes standard with a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G naturally aspirated engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a smooth and responsive 6-speed automatic transmission. This combination is plenty for most driving needs, delivering linear acceleration, prompt throttle response, and predictable passing power in urban and highway conditions.
For those who crave a stronger push, Mazda offers an available 2.5-liter turbocharged Skyactiv-G engine on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims. This boosts output to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque (when using premium fuel). It is not just quicker on paper. It genuinely transforms the driving experience, adding muscle that makes merging onto highways effortless and mountain climbing pleasantly spirited.
But numbers are only half the story.
Where the CX-5 consistently shocks new drivers is cornering stability and steering feel. The chassis is tuned for balance, the suspension controls body roll gracefully, and the steering system delivers real feedback rather than digital numbness. Even the base engine model feels light on its feet, composed, planted, and satisfying through curves, roundabouts, and winding back roads.
That is what separates this SUV from the pack. It drives like a Mazda, not like a hastily inflated wagon on stilts.
Mazda i-Activ AWD: A Smart Partner in All Weather Conditions
Most 2021 CX-5 trims offer optional all wheel drive, while some make it standard. Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system is predictive rather than reactive, monitoring wheel slip, throttle position, temperature, and road conditions to send torque where it will be needed before traction is lost.
In snow, rain, mud, or loose gravel, the system performs with quiet competence. The driver is not distracted by torque oscillations or dramatic traction corrections. The vehicle simply holds the road, providing confidence that feels natural rather than electronically enforced.
Pair AWD with a recommended set of winter tires, and this SUV becomes one of the most capable compact crossovers in harsh seasonal conditions.
Interior Craftsmanship That Punches Above the Price Tag
Open the driver door, settle in, and you realize immediately that Mazda treated the cabin differently in 2021. Instead of minimalist cost cutting, the focus is on warmth, texture, layout harmony, and tactile pleasure.
Soft touch surfaces are generously applied, stitching accents look deliberate and clean, and material transitions feel intentional. It is not trying to mimic luxury. It is simply delivering it differently and believably.
The seating position is exemplary. The front seats offer long distance comfort, supportive bolstering, and contoured cushions that reduce fatigue on longer drives. Higher trims include leather seating, heated front seats, optional heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats, features rarely found in this segment at this price level.
The dash houses Mazda’s 10.25-inch infotainment display (for most trims), controlled by the rotary commander knob on the center console. Some may take a day to learn this interface, but once familiar, it becomes one of the least distracting systems to operate while driving.
Cargo Space and Practicality That Still Work for Families
The 2021 CX-5 is stylish, but is it usable? Absolutely.
Cargo volume behind the rear seats measures 30.9 cubic feet, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While it is not class leading, it is efficient in shape and highly functional for groceries, luggage, sports gear, strollers, and medium sized furniture loads when needed.
The 40/20/40 split rear seatback allows flexible storage options, especially useful when carrying skis, long photography tripods, or narrow but lengthy cargo. The power liftgate available on select trims adds convenience, especially when hands are full.
Infotainment, Connectivity, and the Ownership Experience
Mazda equips the 2021 CX-5 with strong connectivity features including standard Apple CarPlay and standard Android Auto. USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and optional navigation support modern infotainment expectations without being overwhelming.
Sound systems range from a respectable 6-speaker setup on the base trim to a rich 10-speaker Bose premium system on higher trims. It produces clear midrange warmth, tight representation, and pleasing acoustics suited for podcasts, streaming playlists, classical music, or acoustic recordings.
Voice clarity and audio fidelity help turn everyday errands into enjoyable sessions inside the cabin rather than something endured en route.
Fuel Economy: Practical Without Being Boring
With the base engine and front wheel drive, the 2021 CX-5 delivers 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. AWD models trim slightly to 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Turbo models see expected reductions but still manage respectable results: 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
Despite AWD capability and spirited handling characteristics, the CX-5 remains efficient in real world usage, especially when driven with steady throttle control on highways or suburban routes.
Safety and Driver Assistance: One of the Strongest Profiles in the Segment
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 earned top honors from both major safety authorities. IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus status confirms robust crashworthiness and headlight performance. NHTSA awarded the vehicle 5 stars overall.
Standard driver safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, rearview camera, blind spot monitoring (on most trims), and rear cross traffic alert.
With pedestrian detection, vehicle detection, strategic torque distribution, strong structural integrity, and thoughtful driver assistance calibration, the CX-5 protects occupants while still making the drive feel calm and intuitive rather than artificially robotic.
Trim Levels and Who They Suit Best
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is offered in six trims: Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature.
Sport is the gateway. It is practical, well equipped, stylish, safe, and rewarding for drivers who prioritize dynamic feel.
Touring adds comfort. You get dual zone climate control, heated seats, larger screen interface, and subtle upgrades that improve daily usability.
Carbon Edition brings personality and exclusivity. The Polymetal Gray Metallic paint complemented by black accents and red leather delivers a trendy, high style presence. It became incredibly popular due to limited production appeal and distinct design cues.
Grand Touring leans premium. Leather, heads up display, more driver assistance options, larger wheels, and Bose audio elevate the cabin experience.
Grand Touring Reserve and Signature unlock the turbo engine. With exclusive interior finishes, richer materials, quieter insulation, and standard AWD, these trims legitimize the discussion of the CX-5 in luxury adjacent conversations.
Mazda did not just structure trims by price. They structured them by lifestyle progression.
Real World Comfort, Quietness, and Roadworthiness
Road noise levels are particularly well controlled for the 2021 model year. Mazda added improved insulation, thicker glass in strategic areas, and suspension tuning that absorbs imperfect pavement gracefully.
Ride comfort is firm enough to feel controlled but not stiff enough to punish passengers. On highways, the CX-5 cruises like a relaxed long distance carrier rather than a vulnerable crossover darting for lane stability.
Climate control logic, seat ergonomics, pedal spacing, driver sight lines, armrest positioning, and rotary commander placement all contribute to one of the least distracting real world driving environments in the segment.
It believes in the driver, not just the passenger count.
Reliability, Longevity, and Ownership Costs
From an ownership perspective, the CX-5 benefits from Mazda’s Skyactiv powertrain simplicity, avoiding the complexity found in some hybrids or continuously variable transmissions that may require specialized maintenance.
The 6-speed automatic is proven, the base engine is robust, and the available turbo engine (when maintained properly with quality fuel and service intervals) has shown durability in long term owner groups, forums, and independent mechanic reports.
Insurance costs remain reasonable due to strong safety ratings, and resale values trend high thanks to consistent demand, design longevity, and reputation strength.
Resale Value and Market Demand
SUV resale performance relies on desirability, reliability, reputation, and timeless design. The CX-5 benefits from all four.
Unlike trend driven SUVs that fade with new refreshes, the CX-5’s elegance creates a durable used market following. Higher trims, especially AWD models and turbo models, hold exceptionally strong resale appeal.
This means your initial investment returns more value when it is time to upgrade or resell privately.
Potential Drawbacks Without Overdrama
No review deserves credibility without honesty.
Rear seat legroom is not class leading. It works well for most adults, but taller passengers may notice the difference compared to some competitors like the CR-V or RAV4.
Infotainment, while intuitive once understood, may require a short adaptation period for drivers used to touchscreen systems with direct tap interaction.
The 6-speed automatic, while smooth and engaging, lacks the gear count of some 8-speed and 9-speed competitors, though Mazda compensates with tuning that prioritizes responsiveness over sheer gear volume.
Why the 2021 CX-5 Connects Emotionally
Most SUVs ask you to compromise. Be practical, sacrifice fun. Be fun, sacrifice comfort. Be stylish, sacrifice value. The CX-5 challenges that assumption by offering balance that feels truthful rather than mathematically delegated.
From the door thunk sound to the steering wheel feedback to the paint depth to the quiet highway cabin to the supportive seats to the controlled suspension, everything about this SUV invites you to experience ordinary moments with uncommon satisfaction.
Who Should Buy It?
Buy the 2021 Mazda CX-5 if you want:
A compact SUV that drives like a confident car, not like a distracted appliance.
Premium interior touches without premium badge pricing.
All weather confidence without chaotic traction theatrics.
A design that ages gracefully rather than loudly begging for attention.
Great safety, strong inventory appeal, reliable powertrain logic, and everyday usability.
Buy something else only if:
Rear seat space is your main priority above everything.
You refuse to adapt to a rotary commander interface.
Hybrid fuel economy is your only metric.
Final Verdict
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is proof that compact SUVs do not need to feel diluted. It balances emotion and practicality with credible execution. It treats the driver with respect. It treats the passengers with comfort. It treats ownership economics with intelligence. It delivers safety without intimidation, style without ego, and performance without immaturity.
It is not the biggest, the loudest, or the most complicated option in the segment. It is simply one of the most satisfying, authentic, elegant, and livable compact SUVs of its model year.
On roads, in driveways, in snow, in sunlight, on highways, in cities, and in long term ownership spreadsheets, the 2021 CX-5 quietly and convincingly continues to shine.
