The 2017 Mazda CX-5 is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in three trim levels, the Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Loaded with a 2.5L inline-four engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission and boasting 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque it has the power to get the job done.
The CX-5 otherwise manages to feel balanced, responsive and sprightly, even with its somewhat taller seating position. A responsive electric-boost rack-and-pinion power steering and sporty yet absorbent suspension, it's one of the best-handling compact utility vehicles.

The CX-5 is also very versatile. In all versions of the CX-5, the back seats are split 20/40/40 and fold nearly flat. Liftover height is low, and the resulting cargo floor is continuous, which should make it easy to pack in larger pieces of weekend cargo.

Besides the engine upgrade Sport models now include: LED headlights, a 7.0-inch color dashboard display with Mazda's fancy Commander knob, a second USB port, G-Vectoring Control, and Smart City Brake Support, Mazda's low-speed automated-emergency-braking system. That new equipment joins previously standard equipment such as Bluetooth, cruise control, keyless entry, push-button ignition, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and power windows and door locks, factors to keep in mind when comparing the CX-5 against less expensive competitors that lack some of that equipment.

The Touring model adds much more popular equipment, such as a leather steering-wheel and shifter, a rear-seat armrest, a rearview camera, steering-wheel audio controls, upgraded upholstery, and a 6-speaker sound system with 5.8-inch touch-screen interface, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio, HD Radio, SMS text-messaging capability and the ability to play Pandora internet radio using a smartphone. It also gives rear-seat passengers a pair of USB ports, a fold-down center armrest, and A/C vents between the front seats; on the safety front, the trim adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert

Grand Touring models add a lot of equipment that is optional on the Touring, including 19-inch wheels, automatic and adaptive headlights, LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power liftgate, and a sunroof. Inside, the Grand Touring has an 8-way power driver's seat, auto-dimming mirrors, a Bose 10-speaker audio system, navigation, leather seat surfaces, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, higher-speed automatic braking and automatic high-beam control.

Major factory options are grouped into just a few packages, for the Touring model these include a preferred equipment package that features: an auto-dimming mirror, automatic on\off headlights, rain sensing front wipers, a Bose 10 Speaker audio system, navigation, power moonroof and power rear liftgate. The i-Activsense package, which includes: automatic high-beam control, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, radar-based adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking with a higher speed range, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

A premium package can be added to the Grand Touring and has: a windshield de-icer, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a 6-way power passenger seat, 2-position driver's memory and a full-color head-up display. There are just a few other port- or dealer-installed options, such as remote engine start, fog lamps, rear parking sensors and roof-rack accessories for kayaks, snowboards and other cargo.

Perky Powertrain (Touring And Grand Touring)

Stylish Exterior

Good Set Of Safety Features

Full-features Audio And Infotainment

Excellent Fuel Economy Ratings

The Mazda CX-5 has been fully redesigned for 2017 with upgrades to the interior, a sharper style and a smoother quieter drive. The rear seats are inviting, the cabin quieter and the ride has less torso-sway. Among the new standard features for 2017 are LED headlights and daytime running lights, rearview camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, noise-isolating windshield, 7-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect and HMI Commander and Bluetooth and G-Vectoring Control which is an innovative technology that adjusts engine torque electronically to improve ride and handling. Mazda has made available standard or optional features such as a power rear liftgate, front wiper de-icer, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, 10 Bose speakers on the premium audio system, a traffic sign recognition system, head up display and a seat memory function.

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 competes with the likes of the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape. Even in this crowd, it's one of the sportiest-driving models, with surprisingly good fuel economy ratings considering that. The CX-5 also stands out for offering a great ride quality and a flexible, spacious interior. The CX-5's infotainment system, with Bose sound, is one of the most feature-packed in its competitive set, too, with things like well-integrated Pandora internet radio.