Make sure you don’t make the costly mistake of buying a Mazda CX-5 from a bad year. Here is a list of Mazda CX-5 years to avoid. You’re in for a ride, car enthusiasts! This article highlights the best and worst years for the Mazda CX-5.
I’ve reviewed data from NHTSA and J.D. Power, as well as the actual experiences of owners to provide you with a straightforward overview. The topics we’ll cover include powertrains, safety features, reliability, and recall histories.
By the end of the article, you will know what CX-5 years you should grab and which you should avoid.
CX-5 Mazda Generations
Mazda brought a new era to the auto industry with the introduction of the CX-5 in 2013. There’s more to this compact crossover than just its attractive appearance – it features an eye-catching “KODO: Soul of Motion” design philosophy and the full suite of SKYACTIV technology.
Why did Mazda choose this strategy? Creating a vehicle that’s fuel-efficient, comfortable to drive, and versatile enough for your daily commute or weekend adventures is the key.
In order to better understand the CX-5’s progressive evolution, let’s look at the following:
| Millennials | Amount of time |
| KE is the first generation | In 2013 – 2016 |
| A second generation (KF) | 2017-to-date |
What does this generational shift mean for you? Each new version brings a slew of improvements: faster performance, enhanced safety, and plusher comfort. A savvy buyer and CX-5 enthusiast will benefit greatly from understanding these changes.
Years with Mazda CX-5’s Best performance, Avg performance, and Worst performance
Which model years are the best for CX-5? Nothing is left to chance. We consider the following factors when ranking:
- Owners’ reports of reliability (direct from the horse’s mouth)
- The cost of annual maintenance (because nobody likes surprises)
- Ratings for safety (your life is priceless)
- Consumer Reports reliability scores (the gold standard Reliability scores from Consumer Reports (the gold standard)
- Consumer Reports owner satisfaction (happy drivers don’t tell lies)
- NHTSA recalls, investigations, and complaints (the official wo• Investigations and recalls by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (the official word)
- Edmunds owner ratings (actual experiences)
- JD Power owner rankings (big names weigh in)
- Owner ratings from Kelley’s Blue Book (trusted by buyers and sellers alike)
- Ratings from Vehicle History owners (researching the past)
- Cars.com owner reviews (from tire kickers to die-hard fans)
Interested in seeing the totals? Here is a graph to look at:
Next, let’s take a look at a quick reference table:
| Inheritance | Yearly highlights | A year of neutrality | A list of the worst years |
| KE is the first generation | A year ago2015 | Nothing to report | A year ago2016 |
| A second generation (KF) | A year ago 2020,2021,2022,2023,2024 | Not applicable | This year’s2019 |
It is usually a sign of trouble when there are more NHTSA recalls and complaints. Hopefully, it will be a warning sign of future reliability issues.
Interested in learning more about each generation?
Here we go!
Yearly Rankings for Mazda CX-5 1st Generation (2013-2016)
KODO design and economical SKYACTIV technology make the 2013 Mazda CX-5 a standout. The first-generation lineup, however, does not include all years equally.
There’s no doubt that 2013 and 2015 have been the best years, but 2014 and 2016 are troublemakers.
Years with the most success: 2013 and 2015
Which year comes out on top, 2013 or 2015? This is because they’ve had fewer recalls and complaints from the NHTSA. The breakdown is as follows:
It was equipped with the following features:
In spite of its simplicity, the Sport trim offered plenty of features:
- Access with a keyless system
- Start-up with a pushbutton
- 4 speakers
Choosing loftier trims would score:
- Display size of 5.8 inches with a touch screen
- Bose sound system with nine speakers
- Monitoring of blind spots, for example
In 2015, Mazda stepped up the stakes:
- In Touring and Grand Touring models, a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G PY-VPS engine is included
- 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque turbocharged engine
- Fuel efficiency: 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway (front-wheel driv 25 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway (front-wheel drive)
- Standard advanced safety features across all trims (hello, automatic emergency brakiA wide range of standard advanced safety technologies are available across all trim levels (hello, automatic emergency braking!)
- An upgraded infotainment system including Mazda Connect and a larger 7-inch touchscreen
In 2014 and 2016, worst economic conditions
Now let’s look at the years that you should avoid. According to Consumer Reports, the 2014 and 2016 models won the title of worst-in-class, thanks to low owner satisfaction scores and many NHTSA recalls.
One of the biggest complaints about the 2014 Mazda CX-5 is:
- Plenty of electrical problems, including “zombie car” syndrome (car stays on despite being turned off).
- Depletion of batteries
- Issues with the structure, such as the sunroofs and windshields unexpectedly shattering (yikes!)
Do you mean the model from 2016? It gets worse:
- Inefficient infotainment system (nothing kills the road trip vibe faster)
- Faulty daytime running lights (hello, recall!)
- Seats with malfunctioning heating (cold buns, anyone?)
- Failed transmissions (major boo for your wallet)
- Brake pads that wear out prematurely
- Cracks in windshields that persist
Yearly Mazda CX-5 2nd Generation Performance Chart (2017-Present)
Providing proof that Mazda wasn’t resting on its laurels, Mazda unveiled the second-generation CX-5 in 2017. With this version, Mazda was clearly aiming to surpass expectations in design, comfort, and technology.
How did it go? You should buy your tickets in 2017 and 2020-2024 – they are the most reliable years this generation has to offer. However, beware of 2018 and 2019 – they’re rotten apples.
Yearly highlights: 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Are you searching for the best Mazda CX-5s on the market? There are a number of models to choose from in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and the fresh-off-the-line 2024 model are the best. The rating for these years is excellent according to Vehicle History , Cars.com , and J.D. Sheridan..
Here’s what the 2017 model has to offer:
- Retained the powerful 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G PY-VPS four-cylinder engine
- Powerful 186 lb-ft of torque
- An automatic transmission with six speeds powered by Skyactiv-Drive
- Fuel efficiency: 24 miles per gallon city, 31 miles per gallon highway (FWD)
- Improved steering and stability with the introduction of G-Vectoring Control
- Enhanced safety with the i-ACTIVS suite (adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, collision mitigation)
As of 2020-2024, the momentum is still going:
- Engine option: turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder (250 horsepower, 320 pound-feet torque)
- Display of 10.25 inches for 2020 and up)
- A traction assist system for off-roading (for weekend warriors)
- Installation of Smart City Brake Support Reverse and Driver Attention Alert in the i-Activsense safety suite
Year of the Worst: 2018 and 2019
Until now, I’ve avoided it like the plague. There were many complaints and recalls related to the 2018 and 2019 models.
This decade has been plagued by several major issues:
- “Ghost touch” electrical gremlins (infotainment screen with a mind of its ow„ Ghost touch“ (information display with a mind of its own)
- Unnecessary oil consumption (a thirsty engine is never good news)
- Unnecessary brake wear (your wallet won’t thank you)
- Cylinder heads cracked and leaking oil (a mechanic’s nightmare)
- Recalls for malfunctioning powertrain control modules (stalling anyone?)
- A failed fuel pump can result in a fire (definitely not cool)
Are you interested in the full scoop?
The NHTSA has issued recalls and complaints regarding 2018 and 2019 Mazda CX-5 models.
The average resale value of a Mazda CX-5
Do you want to know how well the CX-5 holds its value over time? Based on data from different model years, the following chart illustrates average resale prices.
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Conclusion
Our review of the Mazda CX-5’s history reveals that the 2017 model is the best option for a feature-packed, reliable CX-5. The past few years have been characterized by innovation, reliability, and owner satisfaction at their finest.
