The 2023 Mazda CX-5 and 2022 Mazda CX-5 do not differ in any significant manner, so it’s hard to say whether one is actually better than the other—though the turbocharged version of the 2022 Mazda CX-5 has slightly more horsepower than its 2023 counterpart.
Since its introduction in 2012, the Mazda CX-5 has made a name for itself as a powerful, stylish, and safe compact crossover SUV—and after a slight redesign in 2021, the CX-5 has only gotten better.
But how—if at all—has the model changed in the last two years? Is one model year better than the other? Here to help answer those questions is Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
. In the article below, we’ll break down the 2023 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2022 Mazda CX-5 debate once and for all. Stick around until the end and we’ll provide some tips on how to reduce your Mazda CX-5’s insurance costs
as well! 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 2023 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2022 Mazda CX-5: what’s the difference?
Marketed as a sporty compact crossover SUV, the Mazda CX-5 is one of the best-selling SUVs ever produced by the company, and for good reason—its safety and reliability ratings are incredibly high while also delivering excellent performance, comfort and style. The Mazda CX-5’s main competitors are the Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Tucson.
But if you’re wondering what’s changed for the 2023 model year, there’s not much to say—for all intents and purposes, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and 2022 Mazda CX-5 are identical to one another, save for a few minor details, of which we’ll get into further down in the article.
Pricing
As one might expect, the biggest difference between the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and 2022 Mazda CX-5 is the price—there isn’t a set margin that they differ by, but the 2023 model is consistently the more expensive option, regardless of the trim or package level.
Check the table below for a complete breakdown of how each trim level’s price has changed between model years:
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Mazda CX-5 S Carbon Edition | | |
Mazda CX-5 S Preferred Package | | |
Mazda CX-5 S Premium Package | | |
Mazda CX-5 S Premium Plus Package | | |
Mazda CX-5 S Select Package | | |
| | |
Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature | | |
For the most part, prices have stayed pretty similar—in fact, the increase in price can largely be attributed to inflation rather than any actual changes to the model itself.
General specs
Seeing as 2023 didn’t introduce a new generation for the CX-5, the differences between the 2022 and 2023 CX-5 models is practically nonexistent—especially when it comes to the general specs, as evidenced by the table below.
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| SKYACTIV-G 2.5L four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower) | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower) |
| SKYACTIV-G 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (227 horsepower) | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (256 horsepower) |
| | |
| | |
| | |
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers As you can see, there is practically no difference between the two model years’ powertrain, drivetrain, or transmission options—in fact, the only difference is that the turbocharged version of the 2023 Mazda CX-5 sees a slight reduction in horsepower.
Fuel economy
Due to the fact that the 2023 and 2022 Mazda CX-5 models are using the same powertrain and drivetrain—and don’t differ in build or weight—their fuel efficiency ratings are identical to one another. Of course, fuel economy can vary depending on your driving habits, but the EPA’s official mileage estimates are as follows:
Base engine: 24 mpg city / 30 mpg highway / combined 27 mpg
Turbo engine: 22 mpg city / 27 mpg highway / combined 24.5 mpg
When it comes to the base engine’s fuel efficiency, the 2023 and 2022 Mazda CX-5 are more-or-less on par with their competitors, but the turbo engine’s estimated miles-to-the-gallon ranks slightly below average.
Safety ratings
Seeing as the 2023 Mazda CX-5 has yet to be tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), we can’t say for certain whether it is any more or less safe than the 2022 Mazda CX-5.
It is, however, projected to receive the same safety rating as the 2022 Mazda CX-5, which has been awarded a perfect 5-star rating by the NHTSA and an overall “Good” rating by the IIHS, which is the highest on its scale—and seeing as there have been no significant changes to the safety features, this prediction is likely correct.
One of the only hang-ups when it comes to safety is the 2022 Mazda CX-5’s risk of rollover, and even that is minimal, as the NHTSA still gave it a 4-star rating in this category. The IIHS has also found that the low-beam headlights on the Select, Preferred, and Carbon Edition trim levels were only “Acceptable” in illuminating the gradual left curve, but not to the point where it hinders night-time driving.
Styling and interior changes
Even though it’s more expensive, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 is virtually indistinguishable from the 2022 Mazda CX-5, particularly when it comes to the interior. Standard technology, comfort, and styling highlights include:
10.25-inch full-color multimedia display
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration
Four-speaker sound system
MazdaConnect® infotainment system
Leather and metal-look steering wheel
40-20-40 split-folding rear seating
For the most luxurious experience, consider upgrading to the S Premium Plus trim package, which adds a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a full-color Active Driving Display, power liftgate, and a premium 10-speaker Bose sound system.
Styling (specifically exterior styling) is actually where we see the biggest difference between the two model years—for the 2023, the Mazda CX-5 has an additional premium color option called “Rhodium White” available.
2023 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2022 Mazda CX-5: which should you buy?
At the end of the day, the differences between the 2023 Mazda CX-5 and 2022 Mazda CX-5 are slight—so slight that there’s almost no reason not to buy the older model, as it is functionally the same, just for a marginally cheaper price.
Unless, of course, you really, really, really want a Mazda CX-5 in “Rhodium White.”
How to save on Mazda insurance
While it may be a toss-up between whether the 2023 Mazda CX-5 is actually any better than the 2022 Mazda CX-5, one thing is for certain—whichever you choose, you’ll want to make sure it’s protected by the right insurance policy.
Finding the right plan, however, can be difficult.
Fortunately, licensed broker and car insurance
super app Jerry
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“As a young person who owns a sports car and a high-end sedan, I couldn’t find quotes below a certain threshold. By using Jerry
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