Her + His Car Reviews
2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD
Our car reviews are innovative and interesting as we provide insightful and expert reviews from both Her + His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $39,025 | Base price $37,405; As tested is $39,025 |
| Performance | |
| The all new 2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD turbo is some kind of a fun and fantastic smaller SUV to drive. It hits the market with a stealthy 227 horsepower that gives this car get up and go with ease. Acceleration and handling is quite on point and responsive and puts its competitors Honda and Toyota on notice. This vehicle is loaded and with the SkyActive G highly efficient direct injection gasoline, the vehicle has an increase in fuel efficiency and torque. The towing capacity for this vehicle is 2,000 pounds.
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 suspension is relatively sportier too. It has to be on the top of a buyer's list if they are looking at the small(er) SUV category. Mazda has a winner here. |
Definitely a strong point. Power for the Signature version is a 227 horsepower, SkyActiv G 2.5 liter turbocharged four cylinder which produces 310 pd.-ft pf torque that makes for all kinds of fun on the road. The CX-5 is an athletically fit set of wheels, and performance is instantaneous when you hit the accelerator pedal. Absolutely no hesitation whatsoever.
The six speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic has a sport mode option, and we can tell you that what started as lively acceleration turns into truly sports car-like performance. And the Eco mode setting isn't exactly a laggard, either. Brakes are strong, yet not at all sensitive. They get the job done without unsettling the driver when applying the brakes. Other performance features include the off-road Traction Assist, which works like a charm. In the midst of a heavy snowstorm, the CX-5 performed like a champ, with no signs of hesitancy or slippery tracking through the snow. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 24 Overall Miles/22 City Miles and 27 Highway Miles. | Generally, Mazda's products have decent gas mileage, but they are not often at the head of their particular market segments when compared with others in their playing field. That holds true with the CX-5.
It takes 4.2 gallons of gasoline to drive 100 miles. Overall mileage is 24 miles per gallon, 22 city and 27 highway. |
| The Car | |
| At Mazda, they do things a little different. First, their car design is distinct. Next, there are only about 200 car dealerships so if you buy a Mazda CX, you are not going to be seeing one on the road, every other milli-second. Unlike some of their challengers, Mazda's updates the CX-5 o have a very luxurious aesthetic about it; the features and the finish, all are well though-through.
Set apart on 19" alloy wheels, the 2021 CX-5 offers a tremendous value of upgraded tech and features, discerning styling - including two-tone doors, and an upgraded infotainment system and larger comfortable seating, and a revamped infotainment system and significantly increased touch screen. Safety is important and this vehicle rates very highly, too. The single and loudest downturn of this SUV is the packing room, of which there is little; this Mazda rates below-average in size. Built in Japan. |
Rumors are growing that the next generation of the CX-5 is going uptown--that is, that it will be designed to compete with the Mercedes Benz and BMW brands of SUVs that are similarly sized and equipped, at a price that is competitive--and lower--than what the two traditional brands are charged. If that's true, they sure have a good head start.
The quality control on our tester, and others that I have driven, is impeccable. Nary a stray paint flaw, thread, or wrinkle anywhere. The CX-5 is built like a tank, looks like a million dollars and has an interior that is light years ahead of what I've seen from their current competition. |
| Safety | |
| All Driver's Air Bags - Front, Head, and Side, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Traction Control, Brake Assist, All Wheel Drive, 4 Wheel ABS, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Child Safety Locks, Lane Turning Signal Mirrors, Cross Traffic Alerts.
Electronic Stability Control. Daytime Running Lights. Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Driver Attention Alert, City Brake Support. Hills Launch Support. Adaptive Front Lighting System, 24 Hour Roadside Assistance. Lane keep assist, Blind Spot monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic High Beam Headlight, Rearview Camera, Rain sensing Windshield Wipers. |
Standard safety features include Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, front side impact air bags, front and rear side air curtains; hill launch assist; Smart Brake Support; Advanced Smart City Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop & Go; Front and rear Parking Sensor; Driver Attention Alert, and plenty of other items comprise the Mazda safety package. |
| Technology | |
| Android Auto and Apple Car Play integration are standard. For the first time driver attention monitoring and reverse automatic emergency braking are available. Wi-Fi hot spot, two (2) USB ports, Bluetooth, and HD Radio. Adaptive cruise control, Forward collision warning, Forward Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Headlight, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic, Rearview Camera, rain sensing Windshield wipers, Surround-view Parking camera system, Front and Rear parking sensors, and Traffic Sign Recognition. 10.3" Infotainment Touchscreen, Satellite radio, Navigation, Universal Garage Door Opener, Two rear USB ports, 6-speaker stereo, 10-speaker Bose Premium Stereo, Proximity Keyless Entry, Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror, Ambient interior lighting, no Moonroof. |
Standard equipment is abundant with this top of the line CX-5 Signature AWD model. It includes:
19 inch alloy wheels, all season tires, rain sensing windshield wipers, heated power mirrors with turn lamps; auto fold door mirrors; privacy rear glass, moonroof; Signature trim badge; five passenger seating; driver seat memory; power passenger's seat; heated steering wheel; leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control; tilt/telescopic steering wheel; Android Auto/Apple Car Play; 10.25" color display; multi-function commander control; Bluetooth; keyless entry; Mazda Navigation system with traffic sign recognition and tons of other standard features. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| The 2021 exterior is chiseled and muscular, it sure is secure and holds the road. The lines on the CX-5 are perfect and clean, all the LED lights are reflective of a well-designed vehicle. On the interior, the luxurious nappa leather appeals to one's senses, front seats have heated and ventilated cool support, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable driver's seat and passenger seat, and a rear center armrest. Donut spare in the back of trunk.
60/40 rear seats fold easily to make for more rooms. As stated earlier, not too many negative things to say about this remarkable vehicle, only wish there was more packing room. We noticed with the height of the head rests in the back row, there can be some blind spots for the driver; something to be aware of. |
The smooth, curvy profile and subtly elegant looks of the CX-5 holds up beautifully despite the fact that it's been around for a while. The aggressive grille could be just at home in an expensive sports car, which, of course, will please style-conscious buyers be looking for a spot utility vehicle that is pleasing to the eye. Inside, well...you will be checking the badges to make sure that you aren't sitting in some luxury car. Rich, supple, and terribly comfortable and supportive seating await you.
The dashboard is surprisingly simple in an elegant way, with all the gauges readable and understandable, and rich-looking. I especially appreciated the appearance of stop signs, speed limits and other signage on the dash to warn you beforehand, and the shifter is sheer delight to anyone who's performance minded. However, Mazda is still using an audio system that is really counterintuitive and needlessly cumbersome. It needs to be replaced--period. It is really the only serious issue I found on the whole car, and it is one that would likely turn away potential customers. Another issue is cargo room and space. The back seat is limited in legroom and feels somewhat cramped, while the cargo area is barely adequate. |
| Warranty | |
| 3 year/36,000 miles Basic Warranty, 5 Year/60,000 Mile Powertrain Warranty. 24 hour Roadside Assistance for 3 Years or 36,000 Miles. | 60 month/60,000 mile powertrain and 36 month/ 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. 24 hour roadside assistance. |
