2018 Mazda CX-5 Review: Reliable Compact SUV With Affordable Ownership Costs

Cody Scott on January 11, 2024

Would not recommend! Purchased this car about year ago from Jim Glover and recently got an oil change. Leaving work couple days after and noticed large amount of oil where I was parked. Found out my cylinder is cracked. Also found out there is a issue with how the manufacture made it so I called Mazda and addressed my issue and have to wait another week to bring it in. Contacted Jim Glover and addressed my issue and they said if I pay $7,500 I could get a trade in! Its their fault for putting a defective vehicle on the market! Now I have to drive smelling burning oil and coolant mixed until I can get it into Mazda dealership and pay $185 just for them to diagnose it.

Lavinia I. on June 27, 2023

I feel like this car is barely going...it has no power. every time I drive over 60, it literally struggles to get there. I can hear the engine all the time when I drive it and it's really annoying. I don't know, I'll give it a 4/10. sure, it's a good looking car. but...I find this car to be a good start for beginner drivers.

Thomas Selby on June 21, 2023

I love my 2018 Mazda CX-5 to absolutely no end! I have a blast driving it, and it is my first car. I have the Touring FWD model, but it does NOT skimp out on features, it has blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, back-up camera, Automatic Emergency Braking, airbags EVERYWHERE, and whole plethora of other safety features. It is very quick, reliable, and fun to drive. My only complaint is there is not much in the way of cabin storage. But it is not a deal breaker, since the trunk of the car has a large cargo area, and lots of room in the spare tire area. It has an amazing Bose speaker system and I was given this car for my birth day at about 30k miles, but it was purchased new. I have FWD (Front wheel drive) but it still does amazing in conditions like rain, and minor snow. It is also the only car from this segment that placed a good rating on the IIHS Crash Test. It is often on par with luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes but having the advantage of being half the cost and Japanese so it lasts forever and also since it's not German, the repairs won't cost a house mortgage. However, if you get a 2018, make sure you get an updated Navigation SD Card. I cannot recommend this car enough, it is perfect in nearly everyway. I am now a loyal Mazda customer, and will always have a Mazda in my garage, I trust them more than any other automaker. Perks: Large backseat (I am 6'1 and can for the most part fit comfortably in the back) Fun to drive Fuel efficient Safety Feature galore Reliable and cheap to maintain Excellent use of space Cons: If I had to choose, not as much cabin storage as I want, but I want more than the average person.

Charles on May 14, 2023

We bought this car brand new and got all of the oil changes on time. We liked the styling and handling of the CX5. At 70k miles the engine and the car stopped working on the road. We had to have the engine replaced. The dealer could not determine the cause of the engine failure. It cost $11,000 dollars with tax to replace the engine. Do not buy this car.

M. E. Erambert on April 8, 2023

I bought this car off the showroom floor in San Angelo Texas only to find out with only 12,000 mi of my car right now has been broke down in my yard for about 6 months due to recalls from the fuel injector of the transmission in the engine the airbags the automatic brake system it's ridiculous and apparently locked up the engine I thought this would be the car that I would own for the rest of my life and would never have to worry about it's been serviced and the dealership I bought it from has ignored me for about 9 months and of course all those years these recalls have been out they never once contacted me so being homebound and handicap in a wheelchair I honestly put too much stock in this car I thought this would be the one but apparently since they can't quite get it together it's not and unfortunately lemon laws are so strict now with having to replace an item five times in Texas I probably got screwed

Jan on May 7, 2022

Bought the 2018 car 2 years ago. First issue started less 10 a year after I had it. Got in the car it wouldn't start. Tried it a couple of X Frozen up would not do anything call AAA they jump to get started next issue a tire goes flat about six months later car wouldn't start again time I said the heck with it and got a new battery. Next issue drivers side seat brakes. 2 months later 2 more tires keep going flat. Replaced them. 3 weeks later front and back brakes have to be replaced. Pads and rotors. Now a piece fell off the passenger side seat. Next issueNow I have a horrible smell coming from the car . It smells like alcohol. Probably the heater core. Never had a car that had so many problems starting at 2 years old. Very unhappy with this vehicle.

Jan on May 7, 2022

Bought the 2018 car 2 years ago. First issue started less 10 a year after I had it. Got in the car it wouldn't start. Tried it a couple of X Frozen up would not do anything call AAA they jump to get started next issue a tire goes flat about six months later car wouldn't start again time I said the heck with it and got a new battery. Next issue drivers side seat brakes. 2 months later 2 more tires keep going flat. Replaced them. 3 weeks later front and back brakes have to be replaced. Pads and rotors. Now a piece fell off the passenger side seat. Next issueNow I have a horrible smell coming from the car . It smells like alcohol. Probably the heater core. Never had a car that had so many problems starting at 2 years old. Very unhappy with this vehicle.

JL on April 6, 2022

Test drove a used 2019 CX-5 two days ago and loved it. However, the exterior had a number of scratches and no sunroof, which is a must. Came home, looked online and found an immaculate 2018 CX-5 with only 31K miles at a Mazda dealer 70 miles away. Test drove it this morning and brought it home this afternoon. Smooth acceleration, quiet cabin, absorbs bumps nicely. Feels like driving a much more expensive care. Touring model gives you all the features you would expect in a much more expensive car. Looking forward to many years of driving comfort and enjoyment. PS Took a very critical friend with me to check out the car, and he had nothing but praise for it.

Billy boy on June 4, 2021

I’m 72 and have owned many cars including jags, Volvo, bmw, ect this is the nicest, comfortable car I’ve had, l suspect that kept in good condition and serviced correctly it will last many years, if you are looking for a reliable, attractive, zippy car then this is for you, l test drove all the similar cars and the cx5 was the car for me.

Sandy on April 15, 2021

My CX-5 is perfect for me. I love the look, the reliability and the brand. For a mid-priced car, the customer service is wonderful. Mazda has nailed the red and I love the apple car play.