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VERDICT · A GENUINELY DEPENDABLE COMPACT SUV

Mazda CX-5 2.5L
is it a safe used buy?

Mazda's best-selling SUV, paired with the larger Skyactiv-G displacement — a genuinely confident used buy that helped define the compact SUV segment's expectations for driving dynamics.

GENERATION1st gen (2013–2016)
ENGINE2.5L Skyactiv-G
POWER184 hp
USED PRICE$13,500–20,000

How the engine fits this car

The CX-5's compact SUV body is a comfortable, unstressed load for this engine — genuinely engaging handling for the class that's a large part of why this model line earned such a strong reputation from launch.

AWD was widely available across this generation — worth asking about specifically, since it adds drivetrain complexity beyond the engine's own, generally minimal, risk profile.

Mazda CX-5-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

  • Engine has a genuinely strong reliability reputation, detailed on its own page
  • Engaging handling that's widely regarded as class-leading among compact SUV rivals
  • Strong resale value reflects broad buyer confidence in this model's dependability
  • AWD availability adds genuine capability for buyers who need it

WHAT TO WATCH

  • Cargo space is slightly smaller than some direct rivals, a trade-off of the car-like handling focus
  • Infotainment system on earlier examples within this generation feels less refined than later updates
  • AWD versions add drivetrain complexity worth inspecting separately
  • Road noise is more noticeable than some rivals at motorway speeds

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 60,000 mi
$17,000–20,000
Lower-mileage, well-kept examples
60,000–110,000 mi
$15,000–17,000
Sweet spot, minimal additional risk
110,000+ mi
$13,500–15,000
Still a confident buy with documented maintenance

The engine itself

This CX-5 is a defining application of the larger-displacement Skyactiv-G. Full detail on this engine's strong reliability track record lives on the dedicated engine page.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNMazda Skyactiv-G 2.0L/2.5L — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Beyond general maintenance history, there's genuinely little engine-specific risk to flag on this combination.

If considering an AWD version, inspect the additional drivetrain components separately from the engine's own risk profile.

Ask about fuel quality history, since this engine's high-compression design is somewhat less forgiving of consistently low-octane fuel.