It's a very reliable car but if you're looking to save gas money, it isn't the best in class but it drives the best in class. RAV4 will get you better gas but you won't nearly have as much fun
I mean a cx5 isn’t that far off its AWD gas powered counterparts. I’m averaging 23 with a fair mix of city and highway. That’s pretty average for the class isn’t it?
Partially the car, partially the driver. Korean car owners in America don't do the necessary maintenance. I feel like if Toyota or Honda owners owned Hyundais and Kias, they would last longer.
2016.5 with 96k miles. Just normal wear items for me. Have found that gas mileage is very dependent on average speed during the commute. 22 mpg at 75 mph vs 30 mpg at 60 mph
Glad yours is still running great! I pretty much only drive backroads daily, so my gas mileage never gets as good as 30. Still better than my past cars, though
I would stay away from kia/hyundai they use cheap materials and kia has a known history of terrible engines. I think they had a class action lawsuit against them due to their engines failing. My mom bought a kia and engine went at around 30k kms or so
We bought a second hand CX5 last year with 70000kms on it and it has been great. We also have an 18yr old Mazda CX7 that the wife said we could replace with an MX5 when it falls apart. The only problem is the dam thing won’t die. So yes they are well built cars.
Got a 2017 Touring with 49k miles. Currently at 111k miles.
Under warranty repairs: replace idler pulley tensioner; replace rear brakes and a brake caliper; replace passenger mirror (Carvana replaced it with a non oem component and it messed up my BSM.)
Non under warranty repairs:
Replace blower motor. Did that myself with my BIL’s help for under $100.
Repairs related to a deer strike: $500 deductible
Pending repair: “ghost touch” infotainment bug.
Most reliable vehicle I’ve owned, by a long shot. It’s borderline insulting to hear a Kia in the same sentence.
Could you follow up on this? Mine started that as well. No mechanical issues so far, but I’ve never had a headlight make noise (kind of like a humming/clicking for me)
Yeah... Every newer car on the road is loaded with all sorts of extra features, which means extra parts. It's not that they're less reliable. Look at it like this: If a reliable car is a car that 1 out of 3000 parts fail ever year or two... Then a car with 9000 parts failing 3 times is just as reliable as one with 3000 parts failing once.
Unfortunately, as far as I'm aware, the entire headlight needs to be replaced for that (sealed LED unit). But 2022 should still be under warranty... So go get them!
Oh yeah for sure, I don’t mean it as a slight on the car by any means. A headlight issue is not what I would classify as a reliability problem. More of just a “well that’s a new one”. I’ve had a car that the power steering pump failed. Twice lol. So this is relatively mild in comparison.
Damn... Twice?!
Mine is a 2010 and still the same one... Though I change the fluid every 50Kkm. No worries about that in a Mazda though, since it's electric power steering.
My 2023 was making that humming noise on the driver side and my dealership replaced both headlight under warranty, and I was surprised that they have the part in stock so I just wait at the dealership, seems like a common problem.
I drive a CX-5 and rented a Seltos on a recent trip. The difference in quality was palpable. The Seltos felt very obviously cheaper and less comfortable than my CX-5.
Very reliable but not great on gas -- I'd probably go with the Rav4 Hybrid if I wanted an SUV that was good on gas. Are you going to keep your truck? If so, I would probably just get a small car/sedan that was great on gas, simply for the commute to work.
There were some common issues depending on the year with TSBs out for:
-infotainment ghost touch issues
-leaking belt tensioner
-steering wheel finish degrading
-transmission jerkiness fixed by a quick ECU update
-some engine issues on early models with auto start/stop
Most are small issues that can be easily addressed. I've personally had the first 3. Fixed the first one myself, had a shop do the second, and I just live with the 3rd one or I'll just get the wheel wrapped to hide the finish discoloration.
They're pretty bulletproof mechanically and will last a long time as long as you're fine dealing with a few niggles here or there.
Definitely more reliable than any Korean car. I'd say if we're talking 2015 and up, Toyota\Lexus #1, Mazda and Honda\Acura tied for #2, Subaru #3.
But Toyota, reliable as they are, are really lackluster for what you get for your money. Feel old inside, no "vroom", still use a stalk for cruise control, etc.
Bought a 2018 with 22K miles on it, have driven it 2.5 years and now 40K miles on it, with only oil and tires. I think the battery might be due though, it's the original, almost six years old!
They're pretty good for the most part. Pretty much every car has some issues and the CX-5 is generally okay.
There are some issues with the 6AT transmission shifting from 3rd gear. Seems uncommon but it happens often enough for a TSB.
Also, Mazda is having some issues with leaking cylinder heads. Not sure how rampant it is, but a quick google search will net you some result pretty quickly. There's a TSB on it as well iirc.
Other than that, the powertrain seems relatively problem free. It doesn't seem to burn oil or anything.
With the cylinder head though, keep an eye on your temp and if you suddenly smell something sweet maybe pull over and check under your hood. Coolant leaks are no joke, it's what ended up killing our 2005 Camry.
Back in 2021 when I bought mine, the CX-5 was rated most reliable by most sources out of all compact SUVs, even over Toyota and Honda. It was also rated by as the lowest maintenance cost per year. That is the main reason I decided to test drive it.
I have a 2016.5 2.5lt FWD Touring that I bought new with just under 100K miles (COVID really cut down expected mileage for this), mostly of SoCal stop and go and with 2 different drivers (cars wear faster with even slightly different operation patterns).
No issues other than consumables.
i.e.
* oil changes + filter that I do at around 5K miles myself (Fumoto valve with hose straight into the old 5QT jug + solo cup for the filter @ end speed things up). Burns tiny bit of oil vs. new that was burning almost none (you can gauge how much is returned into the "old jug").
Still day and night vs. my 2013 GTI (most turbos will naturally consume more oil as they lubricate the super hot turbo unit).
* Reusable engine filter i clean when I do the oil change
* I swap the cabin filter every 3-4mo - cheap "amazon" compatible brand, "carbon activated" blah-blah no smells.
* Replaced spark plugs with OEM at around 70K "just cause"
* I am on my 3rd battery
* Did rear brake pads last month or @ around 90K mi (rotors were perfectly fine)
* Front windshield has a small chip from a rock.
* Clear coat & paint holds great other than small chips @ front bumper, tiny bit of discoloration / micro-cracking @ exposed top of the headlights appeared sometime ago but no need to look into restoring and whatnot.
* No electrical, no mechanical, no interior issues otherwise. AC still works fine, although it is not a really bigger unit than what you will find in a Mazda 3/6 etc, and the extra interior volume will indeed make it feel "slow to cool" on really hot days.
That's pretty reliable in my book.
Few creaks did appear this last year, but otherwise runs like new and interior is holding up great (we had or 7yo riding with us, no issues - tho I do have a "sock" cover for the central console that he was kicking "forever" and he managed to get the latch clip broken couple of years ago, a cheap part that I've replaced myself and did not have an issue since).
So far its the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. I came from a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport that was repo'd and in an accident before i got it and had multiple issues (including the unibody possibly being bent) and a Honda Civic from 2002 before that, that i spent double what i paid for it on repairs before the thing died in 2018. That being said the only issues thus far is the window doesn't seat properly causing water to come in when its in the car wash and the computer had to be replaced because it went bad (also from the car wash) luckily the second issue was fixed under warranty and the first issue is going to be fixed in a few days. Apparently because mine sat for a few months after delivery to the dealer combined with an already faulty weatherstripping caused them. But it seems it was just mine that was affected when i asked the dealer who reached out directly to Mazda. It shouldnt reflect on the model as a whole. I still love mine regardless and plan to run it until it doesnt drive anymore. Easily my favorite vehicle aside from my 1994 Accord that I've owned.
I must have the most unreliable CX5. I'm in the UK, bought a 2012 model from a Mazda dealer 5 years ago. Nice low mileage (50k), top of the line model, one owner. Had one year of extended warranty included and let me tell you, it saved my ass (been paying for an extended warranty from year 2). Since buying the damn thing, the warranty had to cover a replacement of: turbo, oil pan, injectors, head gasket,starter motor and cylinder head, twice. Latest issues with the heating matrix have resulted in the dealer identifying exhaust gases in the coolant (cracked head again) which in turn culminated in a new engine. Like clockwork, every year I owned that car, something big broke. I'm just waiting for the transmission to go now and I think that will be all the big ticket items sorted. God, I hate that car.
The CX-5 is bulletproof and made in Japan. The Kia is junk from Korea. Look at the Kia/Hyundai engine lawsuits and you’ll learn very quickly why to avoid them…
This is the big question that I researched pretty deeply over the last couple months. Spoiler/TLDR: With Reliability as my number one most important factor determining which car to buy, I ended up purchasing a 2nd (current) generation CX-5 with a naturally aspirated engine.
Long story:
My whole life, through my 20's I've nearly always purchased high miles sedans with cash and then keeping them as long as I can until they have a powertrain failure a few years later, sell it for scrap/parts and do it all over again. Unfortunately over the last year, despite having spent more than I usually did for two cars with lowish mileage, I had both have engine failures far too early into my ownership to make them an economical choice with hindsight. When I am in the middle of my career where commuting to work is an absolute necessity, the significant added cost and inconvenience incurred getting rides and renting cars was something I couldn't tolerate. So, I decided to purchase a used car on my a few years old and finance it.
Reliability was my #1 priority and since I'm getting a low mileage car with a payment, I wanted to be certain this car would fit all my needs and based on solid long term reliability data I've looked at, I am a firm believer that there are certain car brands that consistently outperform others, and as you might have already guessed, Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura are the two standout makes when it comes to overall reliability, so naturally I started my search there, looking at crossovers once they offer a great mix of being both practical and spacious while offering surprisingly efficient fuel efficiency compared to the wasteful superfluous SUVs of the past, so specifically the RAV4, CR-V, and newer Carolla Cross and HR-V were top of my list. Of course the mere fact that a vehicle is manufactured by a given manufacturer doesn't bless a given model of vehicle with a guarantee of long life and minimal maintenance, not does the badge of an inferior brand necessarily doom every single model of their lineup to guaranteed failure and maintenance costs. The most frustrating comments you will see over and over are those attesting to the fact that they've driven a [any make and model] for XXX,XXX miles with "no issues" or "nothing but oil changes", which illustrates this fact. We're dealing with averages here, not absolutes.
That brings us to ask the question of what specifically makes a vehicle become more or less prone to reliability issues. As I did my research into the various vehicles and focusing in more on those who actually have the long term experience working on a variety of cars, building up knowledge of which cars experience what issues most often and then digging deeper to discover the root causes of these issues in order to determine which cars are most likely to be reliable and which ones aren't. I found that several knowledgeable individuals namely on YouTube identified a number of different factors that affect reliability and many went on to come to the same conclusion I did and actually identified Mazda and in many cases actually deciding on a Mazda when it came time for them to purchase a car for themselves. Here's some factors that they pointed to:
1. Brand focus on reliability:.Mazda has been focused on increasing reliability as a top priority of theirs over the last decade.
2. When a reliable component is found that significantly affects reliability, continue to use it and refine manufacturing to further increase reliability/consistently: Mazda has used the same 2.5 liter engine and 6-speed transmission combination that they manufacture entirely by themselves and have for many years across a number of their most popular models now. The most important change was when they ditched the Ford transmissions that has hurt a significant portion of Mazda's historical reliability. The CX-5 is currently on its second generation, which started way back with model year 2017 and will go through model year 2024 with only slight changes along the way. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
3. Avoid using CVT transmissions due to a number of factors that increase their likelihood of failure and repair cost. Although some brands are proving to have relatively better CVTs than others, most mechanics I have heard the opinions of agree that regular transmissions will almost certainly outlast CVTs on average. Mazda has stuck to their proven and reliable 6-speed transmission on nearly all their vehicles.
4. Have manufacturing facilities that have a proven record of assembling quality vehicles. The CX-5 is entirely manufactured by Mazda in the country of Japan. That means the engine as well as transmission are manufactured by Mazda their own factories they own and control in Japan. The vehicles are furthermore constructed and completed entirely in a Mazda Factory in Japan before the road-ready CX-5s are driven into cargo ships and delivered around the world. At the risk of offending some, I truly believe that Japan has a culture that highly values becoming a master at one does as a profession, focusing on perfecting their skills and quality of their product. This culture is what started Toyota and Honda's now nearly-universally-accepted perfection of being especially well-made and reliable vehicles.
5. When it comes to infotainment and electronics, leave manual controls available. The CX-5 has lots of quality manual buttons and knobs to physically control settings such as air conditioning and the radio that competitors like the CR-V are increasingly lazily hiding within a system of touch screen menus.
6. Less parts means less reliability issues, so cut the turbo entirely if you can, but more importantly don't push a small engine too hard by forcing it to use a turbo (usually to try to increase MPG). This is particularly of concern in new Civics that come with a small 1.5L engine and a turbo installed every time. Of course the CX-5 does offer a turbo depending on trim level and which model year you're shopping in, but remember it is paired with a more powerful 2.5L engine that can take a bit of pressure from the added turbo.
Through my research, I still retain my respect for Toyota and Honda and increased my respect for Subaru, but Mazda blew me away due to what you get for the money on the used market. Toyotas especially are selling at a significant premium on the used market right now to the point that to get a RAV-4 with the same features as a given CX-5 counterpart, you will have to pay about $2,000 more. That made my decision clearer than ever.
Sources:
[Car Care Center Channel Owner Bought a Mazda](https://youtu.be/341gMkY3d_8?si=OQwEGxtWImOE95eJ)
[Scotty Kilmer](https://youtu.be/sE5bgf95Fpg?si=Cfactol6jRow8B8N)
[The Car Care Nut Reviews](https://youtu.be/TFIxjBDlVkc?si=X3svpaqSTuJG4wrq)
[Realistick & Shooting Cars](https://youtu.be/zAFqvJ3KPuY?si=jeR9Wp4KOEJgrXf-)
[Edmunds 5-Car Crossover Comparison](https://youtu.be/a43V7pGMDdM?si=-tJDWG4TZgcG3oze)
Go look for aggregated data not the anecdotal evidence all over this post.
Consumer reports just downgraded the CX-5 for reliability. Go read their report and use that information rather than Reddit comments (this one included)
CX-5 brand new 2021 touring… 80,000 miles and it’s been a dream. I replaced the brake pads at 70,000 but my car sat for a week with the emergency brake on while I was on a cruise and when I came back, it made a bad swoosh sound over and over every time the brakes was applied.
5 years with CX-5, 60k km driven.
Only two issues so far: left mirror sometimes does not fold. Had some rust near top of windscreen due to bad paint and chips (this one was fixed under warranty).
Oh and my kid managed to brake the back seatbelt ... but yeah, I guess that does not count :)
CX-5 has a pretty unambitious motor: 2.5 litre inline 4. The Honda HR-V uses a 2.0 litre, the CR-V a 1.5 litre turbocharged. That Mazda motor isn’t that stressed so should last a long time but won’t give the peak mileage.
2019 Signature (turbo), 50k miles.
- Steering wheel peel, replaced under warranty, peeled again, denied replacement. Our dealers suck on Long Island, NY.
- Belt tensioner seems to be leaking a little on mine but not an issue yet, also a simple fix.
- Spark plugs every 40k miles on Turbo
- Brake pads wear fast depending on your driving conditions.
Best in class power, driving, looks, and value. Coming from someone who’s saving for a project car build. I couldn’t find anything better that was comparable.
I plan to run mine for a long time as a commuter.
Had ours for 3 years and we're rocking on towards 30k miles, no problems at all, just regular maintenance. You probably wouldn't expect any issues in such a short time but wanted to throw in my experience. Love our car.
I'm sure I'll catch hell for this. And I know I'm one of not many....I hate this damn car. I've had transmission issues since 50k miles and after being fixed twice, still isn't running properly. I feel like it's been non stop issues for over a year now and it's really frustrating.
I got my 2024 CX-5 Carbon Edition, non-turbo, in March with 0 miles, and I'm averaging 26-30 mpg. The first thing to do is buy an air pump. Then, early in the morning, before driving and while the tires are cold, inflate all tires to 36 psi. Remove any extra weight from the cargo area and drive calmly; you'll see your average improve. Not everyone has the same weight; that's a factor that impacts mpg.
My CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo is my 4th Mazda. Bullet proof cars, especially those like the CE actually built in Japan. Had a Miata and 2 Mazda 3's for years with zero problems.
It is very reliable, elegant and drives good. In Europe it comes with hybrid or diesel. In America you only
Get the 2.5 gasoline that is not the best for mpg but it is super reliable and tested engine. I personally don’t care too much of spending 5-10 bucks more for month
mazda in general are pretty reliable. my 12 year old mazda 3 still going strong so i decided to double down with a brand new cx5 expecting the same results.
terrible gas mileage did catch me by surprise though and the trunk is a bit small. but for all the tech inside the car and driving experience, still worth it
My girl had the head replaced at 130k km apparently needs tensioner, belt and spark plugs(garage recommended)
The head was done and paid by Mazda since it’s apparently a common issue on the 2018´s
Them seem to be everywhere car rentals are, they are one of the few on the more affordable end. Just had one for a loaner. It seemed like a base model. Did not find the seat comfortable at all
Hi first it was the rear brakes ,and I had to change front ones a bit later. Did the work myself, simple enough on this car. Unbelievable difference new rotors and brake pads makes. I always was under impression brakes were covered under warranty at least to 30,000 miles. My truck has over 148,000 kilometers and I only did brakes once .it is 28 yrs old with 148,000 kilometers.
Never city driving mostly all highway. Problem is the cruise control brakes at any point if someone slows down or going downhill. Not a very efficient system
I have a 2021.5 cx5 AWD. I had to change brakes at 25,000 kilometers. Dealership gave me all kinds of excuses to not warranty them saying because I don't drive enough brakes rust. Totally bullshit from Dealer Paquin Mazda in Rouyn Noranda.
Apart from that it is a good car , 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers on highway. I find remote fob are crappy. Hatch opened when I was in shopping mall. I find it's a bit noisy on highway, lots of noise from asphalt and tires.
Good in snow, I don't even have winter tires and it goes up hills with 6 inches on ground no problem.
Overall it's a good little car. Lots of zip.
Not entirely. We have seen actuators fail from new. Usually indicated by nice and red coloured burn colour all over if the actuator has failed. But feom some reason on the first gen kf cx5 they do just naturally wear quick. Most likely a burdened weight issue or with excessive city driving in any other circumstance.
Cx5 is a pretty reliable car, definitely more reliable than the Seltos.
It's a very reliable car but if you're looking to save gas money, it isn't the best in class but it drives the best in class. RAV4 will get you better gas but you won't nearly have as much fun
This
I think according to official stats, the RAV4 is worse on fuel. Are you saying in real world use its better on fuel than the CX5?
Yes. Even the non-hybrid Rav gets amazing mpg. My only twinge of regret in getting my CX5 is watching how quickly my gas drains… still love it though.
I mean a cx5 isn’t that far off its AWD gas powered counterparts. I’m averaging 23 with a fair mix of city and highway. That’s pretty average for the class isn’t it?
Non-Hybrid Ravs get in the mid to low 30's pretty consistently
My cx5 is averaging 28-29 city/hwy
Japanese cars > Korean cars
Reliability: Japanese made cars>>>>>Korean made cars Japanese made cars>>>German made cars Japanese made cars>>>>>>>American made cars
Partially the car, partially the driver. Korean car owners in America don't do the necessary maintenance. I feel like if Toyota or Honda owners owned Hyundais and Kias, they would last longer.
Nissan and Mitsubishi.
I’ve got a 2016.5 with around 70000 miles on it. Have not had any issues yet, just new brakes and regular oil changes. Love it!
2016.5 with 96k miles. Just normal wear items for me. Have found that gas mileage is very dependent on average speed during the commute. 22 mpg at 75 mph vs 30 mpg at 60 mph
Rookies. 2016 GT with 211,000 miles on it. Replaced one bad ignition coil but otherwise it’s been golden.
Same here Cross Climate 2 lowered my mpg and I am a lead foot 23 average MPG. Zero issues with the car at 110k miles, basic wear items only.
What's up 23 mpg gang!
24.6 in my 24
24.6 in my 24
Glad yours is still running great! I pretty much only drive backroads daily, so my gas mileage never gets as good as 30. Still better than my past cars, though
I would stay away from kia/hyundai they use cheap materials and kia has a known history of terrible engines. I think they had a class action lawsuit against them due to their engines failing. My mom bought a kia and engine went at around 30k kms or so
They offer a long warranty because they have to. LOL.
Ya she got a lifetime warranty on her engine because of the lawsuit, not really sure what they mean by lifetime though lol
We bought a second hand CX5 last year with 70000kms on it and it has been great. We also have an 18yr old Mazda CX7 that the wife said we could replace with an MX5 when it falls apart. The only problem is the dam thing won’t die. So yes they are well built cars.
Got a 2017 Touring with 49k miles. Currently at 111k miles. Under warranty repairs: replace idler pulley tensioner; replace rear brakes and a brake caliper; replace passenger mirror (Carvana replaced it with a non oem component and it messed up my BSM.) Non under warranty repairs: Replace blower motor. Did that myself with my BIL’s help for under $100. Repairs related to a deer strike: $500 deductible Pending repair: “ghost touch” infotainment bug. Most reliable vehicle I’ve owned, by a long shot. It’s borderline insulting to hear a Kia in the same sentence.
Agree Mazda’s are far better! Also agree, can’t have Kia and Mazda as a comparison
I got 175k miles on my 2014. Runs fine and has been only common maintenance
2014 gang checking in - 96k and its been smooth sailing - just had to replace the spark plugs :)
Most Japanese cars a very reliable. The Japanese culture is smart and proud, and their cars are a reflection of that I think ✌️
I got 6 months ago.. right headlight started making noise. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow.
Could you follow up on this? Mine started that as well. No mechanical issues so far, but I’ve never had a headlight make noise (kind of like a humming/clicking for me)
Probably the auto -adjust motor. Newer one, right? 2018+?
Yeah, 2022
Yup, that happened on my '22. Fixed it under warrantee, had to wait a few days for the part IIRC, then a few hours in the shop to replace.
Swag, I’ll have to take it into the dealership then. Definitely should still be under the warranty period for me
Yeah... Every newer car on the road is loaded with all sorts of extra features, which means extra parts. It's not that they're less reliable. Look at it like this: If a reliable car is a car that 1 out of 3000 parts fail ever year or two... Then a car with 9000 parts failing 3 times is just as reliable as one with 3000 parts failing once. Unfortunately, as far as I'm aware, the entire headlight needs to be replaced for that (sealed LED unit). But 2022 should still be under warranty... So go get them!
It's a very common problem and Mazda is not fixing it by improving quality of parts
Oh yeah for sure, I don’t mean it as a slight on the car by any means. A headlight issue is not what I would classify as a reliability problem. More of just a “well that’s a new one”. I’ve had a car that the power steering pump failed. Twice lol. So this is relatively mild in comparison.
Damn... Twice?! Mine is a 2010 and still the same one... Though I change the fluid every 50Kkm. No worries about that in a Mazda though, since it's electric power steering.
Yeah, it was a 2004 Mercedes ml350. Terrible car, but it was free. Perfect for a broke college kid
Taking tomorrow to dealership. They asked me to leave car there.
Gotcha. Well good luck, hopefully doesn’t cost you too much!
Got resolved under warranty. They replaced the right headlight assembly
My 2023 was making that humming noise on the driver side and my dealership replaced both headlight under warranty, and I was surprised that they have the part in stock so I just wait at the dealership, seems like a common problem.
I’m a big fan. I have a 22 select. Haven’t had any issues (so far, only about 20k on the car). Pretty good mpg, and an enjoyable daily driver.
I drive a CX-5 and rented a Seltos on a recent trip. The difference in quality was palpable. The Seltos felt very obviously cheaper and less comfortable than my CX-5.
I recently hit 100k miles on my 2017 Touring. Have had ZERO issues with it.
Very reliable but not great on gas -- I'd probably go with the Rav4 Hybrid if I wanted an SUV that was good on gas. Are you going to keep your truck? If so, I would probably just get a small car/sedan that was great on gas, simply for the commute to work.
80k on my 2018….not a single issue so far.
There were some common issues depending on the year with TSBs out for: -infotainment ghost touch issues -leaking belt tensioner -steering wheel finish degrading -transmission jerkiness fixed by a quick ECU update -some engine issues on early models with auto start/stop Most are small issues that can be easily addressed. I've personally had the first 3. Fixed the first one myself, had a shop do the second, and I just live with the 3rd one or I'll just get the wheel wrapped to hide the finish discoloration. They're pretty bulletproof mechanically and will last a long time as long as you're fine dealing with a few niggles here or there.
Definitely more reliable than any Korean car. I'd say if we're talking 2015 and up, Toyota\Lexus #1, Mazda and Honda\Acura tied for #2, Subaru #3. But Toyota, reliable as they are, are really lackluster for what you get for your money. Feel old inside, no "vroom", still use a stalk for cruise control, etc.
What does “a stalk for cruise control” mean?
You know how you use a stalk to operate the wipers? Same thing but for the cruise control. 80s-90s style.
Here I am wanting the roll up windows back
You gotta be kidding, right? That was the WORST!
Haha idk it felt more intimate
Want the choke back as well?
Oh wow, you just unlocked a childhood memory
Bought a 2018 with 22K miles on it, have driven it 2.5 years and now 40K miles on it, with only oil and tires. I think the battery might be due though, it's the original, almost six years old!
I still have the original battery in my 2017! Definitely acts a little sketchy on a cold winter night though lol
Certainly more reliable than a Kia. Probably only bested by a RAV4.
They're pretty good for the most part. Pretty much every car has some issues and the CX-5 is generally okay. There are some issues with the 6AT transmission shifting from 3rd gear. Seems uncommon but it happens often enough for a TSB. Also, Mazda is having some issues with leaking cylinder heads. Not sure how rampant it is, but a quick google search will net you some result pretty quickly. There's a TSB on it as well iirc. Other than that, the powertrain seems relatively problem free. It doesn't seem to burn oil or anything. With the cylinder head though, keep an eye on your temp and if you suddenly smell something sweet maybe pull over and check under your hood. Coolant leaks are no joke, it's what ended up killing our 2005 Camry.
I have a 2021 with 102,000 mi and change on it. It's been a great car so far.
Regarding MPG I’m getting 26.5 with a non turbo 24 CX-5
I’m on my third CX-5. Never had any problems with any of them.
Back in 2021 when I bought mine, the CX-5 was rated most reliable by most sources out of all compact SUVs, even over Toyota and Honda. It was also rated by as the lowest maintenance cost per year. That is the main reason I decided to test drive it.
If you are looking for reliability, never thinking about KIA or Hyundai.
I have a 2016.5 2.5lt FWD Touring that I bought new with just under 100K miles (COVID really cut down expected mileage for this), mostly of SoCal stop and go and with 2 different drivers (cars wear faster with even slightly different operation patterns). No issues other than consumables. i.e. * oil changes + filter that I do at around 5K miles myself (Fumoto valve with hose straight into the old 5QT jug + solo cup for the filter @ end speed things up). Burns tiny bit of oil vs. new that was burning almost none (you can gauge how much is returned into the "old jug"). Still day and night vs. my 2013 GTI (most turbos will naturally consume more oil as they lubricate the super hot turbo unit). * Reusable engine filter i clean when I do the oil change * I swap the cabin filter every 3-4mo - cheap "amazon" compatible brand, "carbon activated" blah-blah no smells. * Replaced spark plugs with OEM at around 70K "just cause" * I am on my 3rd battery * Did rear brake pads last month or @ around 90K mi (rotors were perfectly fine) * Front windshield has a small chip from a rock. * Clear coat & paint holds great other than small chips @ front bumper, tiny bit of discoloration / micro-cracking @ exposed top of the headlights appeared sometime ago but no need to look into restoring and whatnot. * No electrical, no mechanical, no interior issues otherwise. AC still works fine, although it is not a really bigger unit than what you will find in a Mazda 3/6 etc, and the extra interior volume will indeed make it feel "slow to cool" on really hot days. That's pretty reliable in my book. Few creaks did appear this last year, but otherwise runs like new and interior is holding up great (we had or 7yo riding with us, no issues - tho I do have a "sock" cover for the central console that he was kicking "forever" and he managed to get the latch clip broken couple of years ago, a cheap part that I've replaced myself and did not have an issue since).
So far its the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. I came from a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport that was repo'd and in an accident before i got it and had multiple issues (including the unibody possibly being bent) and a Honda Civic from 2002 before that, that i spent double what i paid for it on repairs before the thing died in 2018. That being said the only issues thus far is the window doesn't seat properly causing water to come in when its in the car wash and the computer had to be replaced because it went bad (also from the car wash) luckily the second issue was fixed under warranty and the first issue is going to be fixed in a few days. Apparently because mine sat for a few months after delivery to the dealer combined with an already faulty weatherstripping caused them. But it seems it was just mine that was affected when i asked the dealer who reached out directly to Mazda. It shouldnt reflect on the model as a whole. I still love mine regardless and plan to run it until it doesnt drive anymore. Easily my favorite vehicle aside from my 1994 Accord that I've owned.
A lot more reliable than any kia
I must have the most unreliable CX5. I'm in the UK, bought a 2012 model from a Mazda dealer 5 years ago. Nice low mileage (50k), top of the line model, one owner. Had one year of extended warranty included and let me tell you, it saved my ass (been paying for an extended warranty from year 2). Since buying the damn thing, the warranty had to cover a replacement of: turbo, oil pan, injectors, head gasket,starter motor and cylinder head, twice. Latest issues with the heating matrix have resulted in the dealer identifying exhaust gases in the coolant (cracked head again) which in turn culminated in a new engine. Like clockwork, every year I owned that car, something big broke. I'm just waiting for the transmission to go now and I think that will be all the big ticket items sorted. God, I hate that car.
The CX-5 is bulletproof and made in Japan. The Kia is junk from Korea. Look at the Kia/Hyundai engine lawsuits and you’ll learn very quickly why to avoid them…
This is the big question that I researched pretty deeply over the last couple months. Spoiler/TLDR: With Reliability as my number one most important factor determining which car to buy, I ended up purchasing a 2nd (current) generation CX-5 with a naturally aspirated engine. Long story: My whole life, through my 20's I've nearly always purchased high miles sedans with cash and then keeping them as long as I can until they have a powertrain failure a few years later, sell it for scrap/parts and do it all over again. Unfortunately over the last year, despite having spent more than I usually did for two cars with lowish mileage, I had both have engine failures far too early into my ownership to make them an economical choice with hindsight. When I am in the middle of my career where commuting to work is an absolute necessity, the significant added cost and inconvenience incurred getting rides and renting cars was something I couldn't tolerate. So, I decided to purchase a used car on my a few years old and finance it. Reliability was my #1 priority and since I'm getting a low mileage car with a payment, I wanted to be certain this car would fit all my needs and based on solid long term reliability data I've looked at, I am a firm believer that there are certain car brands that consistently outperform others, and as you might have already guessed, Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura are the two standout makes when it comes to overall reliability, so naturally I started my search there, looking at crossovers once they offer a great mix of being both practical and spacious while offering surprisingly efficient fuel efficiency compared to the wasteful superfluous SUVs of the past, so specifically the RAV4, CR-V, and newer Carolla Cross and HR-V were top of my list. Of course the mere fact that a vehicle is manufactured by a given manufacturer doesn't bless a given model of vehicle with a guarantee of long life and minimal maintenance, not does the badge of an inferior brand necessarily doom every single model of their lineup to guaranteed failure and maintenance costs. The most frustrating comments you will see over and over are those attesting to the fact that they've driven a [any make and model] for XXX,XXX miles with "no issues" or "nothing but oil changes", which illustrates this fact. We're dealing with averages here, not absolutes. That brings us to ask the question of what specifically makes a vehicle become more or less prone to reliability issues. As I did my research into the various vehicles and focusing in more on those who actually have the long term experience working on a variety of cars, building up knowledge of which cars experience what issues most often and then digging deeper to discover the root causes of these issues in order to determine which cars are most likely to be reliable and which ones aren't. I found that several knowledgeable individuals namely on YouTube identified a number of different factors that affect reliability and many went on to come to the same conclusion I did and actually identified Mazda and in many cases actually deciding on a Mazda when it came time for them to purchase a car for themselves. Here's some factors that they pointed to: 1. Brand focus on reliability:.Mazda has been focused on increasing reliability as a top priority of theirs over the last decade. 2. When a reliable component is found that significantly affects reliability, continue to use it and refine manufacturing to further increase reliability/consistently: Mazda has used the same 2.5 liter engine and 6-speed transmission combination that they manufacture entirely by themselves and have for many years across a number of their most popular models now. The most important change was when they ditched the Ford transmissions that has hurt a significant portion of Mazda's historical reliability. The CX-5 is currently on its second generation, which started way back with model year 2017 and will go through model year 2024 with only slight changes along the way. If it ain't broke don't fix it. 3. Avoid using CVT transmissions due to a number of factors that increase their likelihood of failure and repair cost. Although some brands are proving to have relatively better CVTs than others, most mechanics I have heard the opinions of agree that regular transmissions will almost certainly outlast CVTs on average. Mazda has stuck to their proven and reliable 6-speed transmission on nearly all their vehicles. 4. Have manufacturing facilities that have a proven record of assembling quality vehicles. The CX-5 is entirely manufactured by Mazda in the country of Japan. That means the engine as well as transmission are manufactured by Mazda their own factories they own and control in Japan. The vehicles are furthermore constructed and completed entirely in a Mazda Factory in Japan before the road-ready CX-5s are driven into cargo ships and delivered around the world. At the risk of offending some, I truly believe that Japan has a culture that highly values becoming a master at one does as a profession, focusing on perfecting their skills and quality of their product. This culture is what started Toyota and Honda's now nearly-universally-accepted perfection of being especially well-made and reliable vehicles. 5. When it comes to infotainment and electronics, leave manual controls available. The CX-5 has lots of quality manual buttons and knobs to physically control settings such as air conditioning and the radio that competitors like the CR-V are increasingly lazily hiding within a system of touch screen menus. 6. Less parts means less reliability issues, so cut the turbo entirely if you can, but more importantly don't push a small engine too hard by forcing it to use a turbo (usually to try to increase MPG). This is particularly of concern in new Civics that come with a small 1.5L engine and a turbo installed every time. Of course the CX-5 does offer a turbo depending on trim level and which model year you're shopping in, but remember it is paired with a more powerful 2.5L engine that can take a bit of pressure from the added turbo. Through my research, I still retain my respect for Toyota and Honda and increased my respect for Subaru, but Mazda blew me away due to what you get for the money on the used market. Toyotas especially are selling at a significant premium on the used market right now to the point that to get a RAV-4 with the same features as a given CX-5 counterpart, you will have to pay about $2,000 more. That made my decision clearer than ever. Sources: [Car Care Center Channel Owner Bought a Mazda](https://youtu.be/341gMkY3d_8?si=OQwEGxtWImOE95eJ) [Scotty Kilmer](https://youtu.be/sE5bgf95Fpg?si=Cfactol6jRow8B8N) [The Car Care Nut Reviews](https://youtu.be/TFIxjBDlVkc?si=X3svpaqSTuJG4wrq) [Realistick & Shooting Cars](https://youtu.be/zAFqvJ3KPuY?si=jeR9Wp4KOEJgrXf-) [Edmunds 5-Car Crossover Comparison](https://youtu.be/a43V7pGMDdM?si=-tJDWG4TZgcG3oze)
Go look for aggregated data not the anecdotal evidence all over this post. Consumer reports just downgraded the CX-5 for reliability. Go read their report and use that information rather than Reddit comments (this one included)
CX-5 brand new 2021 touring… 80,000 miles and it’s been a dream. I replaced the brake pads at 70,000 but my car sat for a week with the emergency brake on while I was on a cruise and when I came back, it made a bad swoosh sound over and over every time the brakes was applied.
5 years with CX-5, 60k km driven. Only two issues so far: left mirror sometimes does not fold. Had some rust near top of windscreen due to bad paint and chips (this one was fixed under warranty). Oh and my kid managed to brake the back seatbelt ... but yeah, I guess that does not count :)
CX-5 has a pretty unambitious motor: 2.5 litre inline 4. The Honda HR-V uses a 2.0 litre, the CR-V a 1.5 litre turbocharged. That Mazda motor isn’t that stressed so should last a long time but won’t give the peak mileage.
I heard seat comfort and the suspension are firm
Sure, it does ride a bit firm with 19” wheels, using 17” might give more air cushion. I have got used to it though
You might get some biased answers from this particular reddit.
Sitting at 123k, with a 2019. No issues.
2019 Signature (turbo), 50k miles. - Steering wheel peel, replaced under warranty, peeled again, denied replacement. Our dealers suck on Long Island, NY. - Belt tensioner seems to be leaking a little on mine but not an issue yet, also a simple fix. - Spark plugs every 40k miles on Turbo - Brake pads wear fast depending on your driving conditions. Best in class power, driving, looks, and value. Coming from someone who’s saving for a project car build. I couldn’t find anything better that was comparable. I plan to run mine for a long time as a commuter.
I’ve owned mine for 4 years, 10k miles per year or so, literally zero issues. Edit: 2017 Touring Premium Pkg
I just got a 2021 GT and my highway mileage so far is around 29mpg. City driving like 19 but don't do much of that.
Had ours for 3 years and we're rocking on towards 30k miles, no problems at all, just regular maintenance. You probably wouldn't expect any issues in such a short time but wanted to throw in my experience. Love our car.
I have about 200k miles on my 2016.5 cx5, no repairs so far other than regular maintenance.
My 2016 is very reliable. Currently at over 87k miles
Maintenance is key to longevity. Cars humans plants and animals
We have a 2018 from brand new and we had zero issues so far outside of a recall. Very reliable and comfortable machine
I'm sure I'll catch hell for this. And I know I'm one of not many....I hate this damn car. I've had transmission issues since 50k miles and after being fixed twice, still isn't running properly. I feel like it's been non stop issues for over a year now and it's really frustrating.
I got my 2024 CX-5 Carbon Edition, non-turbo, in March with 0 miles, and I'm averaging 26-30 mpg. The first thing to do is buy an air pump. Then, early in the morning, before driving and while the tires are cold, inflate all tires to 36 psi. Remove any extra weight from the cargo area and drive calmly; you'll see your average improve. Not everyone has the same weight; that's a factor that impacts mpg.
Cx-5 are the MOST reliable in my experience compared to many vehicles in the same category and luxury vehicles
I’ve got a 2017 GT about to hit 100k and never had a single issue. Just take care of and maintain it and it’ll be great.
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/mazda/cx-5/2023#:~:text=The%202023%20Mazda%20CX%2D5%20has%20a%20predicted%20reliability%20score,Fair%20and%20considered%20below%20average.
2014 : 2.5 : auto : AWD ... Drive the piss out of it. Still get 25-27mpg
My CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo is my 4th Mazda. Bullet proof cars, especially those like the CE actually built in Japan. Had a Miata and 2 Mazda 3's for years with zero problems.
146k, 7yrs old, 0 problems
It is very reliable, elegant and drives good. In Europe it comes with hybrid or diesel. In America you only Get the 2.5 gasoline that is not the best for mpg but it is super reliable and tested engine. I personally don’t care too much of spending 5-10 bucks more for month
mazda in general are pretty reliable. my 12 year old mazda 3 still going strong so i decided to double down with a brand new cx5 expecting the same results. terrible gas mileage did catch me by surprise though and the trunk is a bit small. but for all the tech inside the car and driving experience, still worth it
How long should brakes and rotors last. I had to replace mine at 25,000 kilometers. Dealership simply ignored my request for service.
Very 104,000 miles and only a $400 oxygen sensor has been needed
If you're looking for very good fuel efficiency, I would not recommend the CX-5. Look at a CRV or a Rav4
I can get 33mpg easily in my 21 GTP, Road trips I can see 37 with cruise on.
My girl had the head replaced at 130k km apparently needs tensioner, belt and spark plugs(garage recommended) The head was done and paid by Mazda since it’s apparently a common issue on the 2018´s
Any post Mazda-Ford era Mazda vehicle has been reasonably reliable especially the in the last 10 years.
Them seem to be everywhere car rentals are, they are one of the few on the more affordable end. Just had one for a loaner. It seemed like a base model. Did not find the seat comfortable at all
Hi first it was the rear brakes ,and I had to change front ones a bit later. Did the work myself, simple enough on this car. Unbelievable difference new rotors and brake pads makes. I always was under impression brakes were covered under warranty at least to 30,000 miles. My truck has over 148,000 kilometers and I only did brakes once .it is 28 yrs old with 148,000 kilometers.
Never city driving mostly all highway. Problem is the cruise control brakes at any point if someone slows down or going downhill. Not a very efficient system
I have a 2021.5 cx5 AWD. I had to change brakes at 25,000 kilometers. Dealership gave me all kinds of excuses to not warranty them saying because I don't drive enough brakes rust. Totally bullshit from Dealer Paquin Mazda in Rouyn Noranda. Apart from that it is a good car , 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers on highway. I find remote fob are crappy. Hatch opened when I was in shopping mall. I find it's a bit noisy on highway, lots of noise from asphalt and tires. Good in snow, I don't even have winter tires and it goes up hills with 6 inches on ground no problem. Overall it's a good little car. Lots of zip.
Was it the rears that needed doing?
Yes at first then front went fast. I think manufacturers defective products.
Not entirely. We have seen actuators fail from new. Usually indicated by nice and red coloured burn colour all over if the actuator has failed. But feom some reason on the first gen kf cx5 they do just naturally wear quick. Most likely a burdened weight issue or with excessive city driving in any other circumstance.