The 2022 Mazda CX-5 has 7.5-inch ground clearance across all trim levels—but you may be wondering what this means as far as its capabilities.
People buy SUVs for a number of reasons, the most common being seating and cargo capacity, safety, and driving through severe weather conditions. If you like driving on wild, unpaved roads, you may know a thing or two about tires and AWD, but you might not consider another important off-roading vehicle specification: ground clearance.
Are you curious about your CX-5’s ground clearance? We're here to clarify all things ground clearance.
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
2022 Mazda CX-5 ground clearance
The 2022 Mazda CX-5 doesn’t have much variation when it comes to ground clearance across its lineup, coming in at 7.5 inches. Here are the 8 trims available for the 2022 model year:
Mazda CX-5 ground clearance over the years
The Mazda CX-5’s ground clearance has actually shrunk since its early years. The first generation models from 2012 to 2017 boasted a ground clearance of 8.5 inches. Starting in 2017 and up to the current 2022 model, the CX-5 shrunk by an inch, now totaling 7.5 inches.
This may not seem like all that big of a difference, but we will explain why shaving off those 2.5 centimeters could impact your CX-5’s road capabilities.
What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?
So what is ground clearance exactly, and should you even worry about it if you drive an SUV? Ground clearance, also called ride height, is a measurement of the distance between the lowermost point of a vehicle’s undercarriage and the ground.
While ground clearance isn’t all that important if you’re sticking to smooth and paved major roadways, lower ground clearance can present problems when driving on rough or rocky terrain. Many experts recommend at least an 8.5-inch ground clearance for off-roading to avoid damaging your vehicle’s chassis.
If you want to go off-roading in your CX-5, first-generation models should be okay, but we don’t recommend taking second-generation models out for a spin. If you decide to go out in your second-gen anyway, be extremely cautious and take it easy to avoid scraping and scratching the bottom of your vehicle.
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
Is the Mazda CX-5 a good off-road vehicle?
Unfortunately, the Mazda CX-5 as it stands doesn’t make the best off-road vehicle. While it’s sporty, comfortable, and practical, that doesn’t make it rough-ride ready.
While the CX-5 is a bit of a low-rider, there is an “off-road” mode in the i-Activ AWD system designed for loose surfaces and deeply rutted trails found along roads less traveled. The system samples 27 channels of data 200 times per second to calculate the road composition and to make appropriate adjustments in the form of acceleration, steering, braking, and torque.
While the i-Activ AWD system doesn’t make the CX-5 a great candidate for off-roading, it can certainly provide a safer ride through dark, slippery, and inclined conditions. Plus, Car and Driver gives the CX-5 a 10/10 rating and placed it on its Editors’ Choice list, outmatching the Mazda CX-50, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage
, Hyundai Tucson
, and Honda CR-V
. Guard against accidents with the best CX-5 insurance
Now that we’ve cleared the air on ground clearance, let’s do the same for your CX-5’s car insurance
coverage. Whether you're rock crawling, mudding, or simply commuting to work, it is crucial to have adequate car insurance. Get the best insurance money can buy with Jerry
, the trusted comparison tool
. It takes only 45 seconds to sign up, and Jerry will take your budget and driver profile into account when scanning for the best insurers and policies in your area. In a blink of an eye, you’ll receive competitively priced results, where all you have to do is choose your top pick.
That’s right, Jerry handles the shopping, paperwork, and phone calls so you don’t have to. What’s more, the average Jerry user saves almost $800+ every year on car insurance!
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car. Jerry
helped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍