Which Is the Best Mazda SUV?
The CX-5 is the most popular Mazda compact SUV, and for good reason—but the CX-3, CX-9, and CX-50 are equally worthy of consideration and praise.
Written by Macy Fouse
Edited by Kathryn Kurlychek
From its chic appearance to lavish interior styling and dynamic driving capabilities, the
Mazda CX-5
is the brand’s best SUV for a reason.- The Mazda CX-5 is one of the best SUVs on the market, according to critics like Car & Driver, J.D. Power, and U.S. News.
- For families in need of more than five seats, the CX-9 is a reliable alternative to the CX-5.
- The new CX-50 boasts all the same features as the CX-5, plus rugged upgrades that can rival other basic off-roading vehicles.
- The Mazda CX-5 is one of the best SUVs on the market, according to critics like Car & Driver, J.D. Power, and U.S. News.
- For families in need of more than five seats, the CX-9 is a reliable alternative to the CX-5.
- The new CX-50 boasts all the same features as the CX-5, plus rugged upgrades that can rival other basic off-roading vehicles.
The overall best Mazda SUV: The CX-5
Starting MSRP: $28,075
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 83/100 (2023)
The Mazda CX-5 is the automaker’s top-selling vehicle since 2014, with over 151,549 models sold in 2022—and that’s just U.S. sales numbers. Car and Driver even put the CX-5 on its
2022 Editors’ Choice list
. So what makes the CX-5 a winner? Tons of safety features:The CX-5 earned a five-star crash-test rating from the
National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)
and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in addition to earning a 9.5/10 safety ranking from U.S. News
. Included in its standard safety suite are adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.Great fuel economy and elite driving dynamics: The CX-5 earns good fuel economy (28 city/34 highway miles per gallon, to be exact), all-wheel-drive comes standard, and it handles like a dream thanks to its spry athleticism and smooth transmission.
Family-friendly: It comes with plenty of standard infotainment system features, including voice command, remote smartphone functions, a large touchscreen, and
Apple CarPlay
!The bottom line: While the CX-5 looks, feels, and drives like an upscale SUV, the price tag is much more approachable starting at just $28,075—though the fully-loaded Turbo Signature trim (which boasts a punchier, turbocharged engine capable of 256 horsepower) will cost you more than $41,000.
The best used Mazda SUV: The 2020 CX-5
Price range: $27,382-$37,753
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 80/100
The fact of the matter is, you can’t really go wrong with a used CX-5—but the 2020 CX-5 stands out from the rest.
Like its successor, the 2020 CX-5 earned a spot on Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice list and secured top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS. The 2020 CX-5 was also ranked #1 in
U.S. News' 2020 Affordable Crossover SUVs
category.Buying a used CX-5, whether it’s a 2020 model or any other model year—is generally a safe bet. The CX-5 maintains its value fairly well, and that’s on top of having below-average maintenance costs and long lifespans—CX-5s typically hold out for over 250,000 miles!
The best Mazda SUV for families: The CX-9
Starting MSRP: $40,125
Number of seats: 6 to 7
J.D. Power rating: 81/100 (2023)
The CX-5 may be as close to perfect as a Mazda can get—but if you need more than five seats, it won’t get you very far. That’s where the
Mazda CX-9
comes in. With seating for up to seven passengers, the CX-9 is Mazda’s answer for big families everywhere, making it the perfect vehicle for car enthusiasts who still need to make it to school drop-offs.
Like the CX-5, the 2022 CX-9 landed a spot on Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice list for its luxury-level feel and excellent handling, which makes your driving experience feel less clunky than the average three-row, midsize SUV.
The only disadvantage we can name is that the CX-9’s rear cargo space and
third row legroom
is a tight squeeze—though folding down the back row is a swift and easy maneuver. Higher trims like the sleek Grand Touring turn the second row into captain’s chairs, which help make the CX-9 feel a bit more spacious in the rear—though it’ll lower the seat count down to six. The best Mazda SUV for off-roading: The CX-50
Starting MSRP: $28,025
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: N/A
Mazda produces sleek and smart vehicles—but they aren’t exactly known for their off-roading capability. Or, at least, they weren’t until the new 2023 CX-50 crossover joined the lineup.
While the CX-50 is hardly bigger than the CX-5, it comes with something the CX-5 doesn’t: rugged capability. With standard AWD, a traction-control system, and a
ground clearance of 8.6 inches
, the CX-50 can handle uneven terrain and dirt roads as well as any Subaru! Like the CX-5, the Mazda CX-50 comes available with two powertrain options: a standard 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, or a turbo engine capable of delivering a punchier performance for adrenaline seekers. In either case, you’ll be delivering power to your CX-50 via a six-speed automatic transmission.
On top of that, the CX-50 looks visually sportier than other Mazda SUVs—but you can still expect the same level of Mazda classiness inside. The CX-50 is available in a whopping ten trim levels, but even the base model comes with sweet standard features like a panoramic sunroof, Apple CarPlay, leather upholstery, and heated front seats.
The most economical Mazda SUV: The 2021 CX-3
Starting MSRP: $21,965
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 75/100
As the smallest SUV in Mazda’s line-up, it’s really no surprise that the
CX-3
steals the top spot for best fuel economy. In fact, the CX-3 doesn’t just outperform its siblings—it has some of the best fuel economy specs out of the entire subcompact SUV class! Compared to rivals, the CX-3 earns impressive fuel efficiency with 29 city miles per gallon and 34 highway miles per gallon. Combined, the CX-3 can carry you an impressive 31 miles per every gallon.
How does that mileage compare to the other Mazda models listed above? Here’s a closer look:
- 2022 Mazda CX-5: 24 city/30 highway/26 combined mpg
- 2022 Mazda CX-9: 22 city/28 highway/24 combined mpg
- 2022 Mazda CX-30: 24 city/31 highway/26 combined mpg
- 2023 Mazda CX-50: 23 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg
The CX-3 is a practical commuter for those who could use a sedan but prefer an SUV to the Mazda3—since this crossover is one of the most carlike SUVs on the market. Unfortunately, Mazda discontinued the CX-3 after the 2021 model year—so you may have to look for used models at the dealership.
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