Should You Take the Mazda CX-5 Off-Road?

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 has light-duty off-roading potential with its all-wheel drive functionality and turbocharged engine option.
Written by Melanie Johnson
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The 2022
Mazda CX-5
is an excellent compact crossover SUV with light-duty off-road potential. All trim levels come standard with all-wheel drive; however, if you’re looking for heavy-duty off-road capability, look elsewhere.
Going off the grid can be good for the soul. But what’s not good for the soul? Getting stuck while off said grid. You'd want your off-road vehicle to be reliable and up for the challenge of tackling unpredictable terrain, we get it. 
That’s why
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison shopper and
super app
is here to break down the 2022 Mazda CX-5’s off-roading capability. We’ll look at important things like ground clearance, torque, tires, and drivetrain, as well as offer some off-road alternatives to the CX-5. 
Let’s get to it! 

Can the 2022 Mazda CX-5 go off-road?

Yes—you can take your
Mazda CX-5
off-road. 
The CX-5 has all-wheel drive functionality, creates sufficient horsepower and torque required for off-roading, and tires that can go the distance. Not to mention, it’s just a fantastic car. Car and Driver rates it 10/10 and put it on its Editor’s Choice List. 
The 2022 Mazda CX-5’s base trim starts at $27,475, but upgrading to a turbocharged engine, which is recommended for off-roading, will likely push the price tag closer to $40,000.
Let’s dig into what makes the CX-5 a serviceable off-road vehicle. 
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Ground clearance

Ground clearance is an important consideration when deciding on an off-road vehicle. This is the measurement of the difference between the vehicle’s chassis and the road. The Mazda CX-5 has a ground clearance of 7.6 inches.
Typically, a minimum ground clearance of 8.5 inches is recommended for off-roading vehicles. To increase the ground clearance of your Mazda CX-5, you may consider purchasing larger tires or investing in a suspension lift kit. 

Torque

Torque is the measurement of an engine’s rotational force. Turning power matters more than speed when you’re off-roading, so torque is especially important in these circumstances. It’s ideal for off-roading vehicles to have low-end torque or high amounts of torque at lower rpm.
The 2022 Mazda CX-5’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 186-lb-ft of torque @ 4000 RPM. When upgraded to the turbocharged engine and with premium, 93 octane fuel, the CX-5 gets a maximum torque of 320-lb-ft of torque @ 2500 RPM—that’s some serious power! It also creates 256-horsepower. 
That said, if you’re going to be doing a lot of off-roading with your CX-5, our recommendation is to opt for the turbocharged engine for more oomph. 

Tires

The Mazda CX-5 has Toyo All-Season P225/65HR17 tires. In layman’s terms, these are medium-duty tires, ideal for drivers who want a combination of aesthetic sophistication and
all-season versatility
with traction in light snow
If you live in an area that sees a lot of inclement weather, you might want to consider purchasing tires that are a bit more durable and get more traction.

Drivetrain

All trim levels on the Mazda CX-5 come standard with all-wheel drive, the must-have drivetrain for off-roading. 

Angles

Nope, we’re not talking about photography.
Angles are important in off-roading, specifically, the approach angle and departure angle: 
  • Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can ascend without its front bumper hitting.
  • Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without its back bumper hitting. 
The CX-5 has an approach angle of 17 degrees and a departure angle of 22.5 degrees. These numbers suggest the CX-5 will hold up just fine for light-duty off-roading but is not suitable for more rigorous, heavy-duty off-roading. 

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

Everything considered,
Jerry
has rated the 2022 Mazda CX-5’s off-road potential according to the very scientific, not at all made up, “DIRT” scale, which we’ll explain below.
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better-suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
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The Mazda CX-5 receives an “R” rating (scandalous!). It’ll hold up to light off-roading experiences, but if you’re planning on being off-road more than on it, you’ll be better-suited shopping for another vehicle with more ground clearance and stronger approach/departure angles.

The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Mazda CX-5

If you’re in the market for a compact crossover SUV, there aren’t many better options than the 2022 Mazda CX-5. The vehicle is ideal for low-duty off-road excursions with its AWD functionality and turbocharged engine option. That said, if you’re planning on taking your vehicle off-roading regularly or over tougher terrain, you may want to consider some alternatives.
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best affordable alternative
2021 Hyundai Tuscon
$23,700
The 2021 Hyundai Tuscon is slightly bigger than the CX-5 and has a price tag a couple of thousand dollars cheaper, but its ground clearance is lower, and AWD doesn’t come standard.
Best eco-friendly alternative
2022 RAV4 Prime
$40,300
The RAV4 Prime has a higher ground clearance than the CX-5 by five inches, but it’s significantly more expensive with a starting MSRP of $40,300. That said, it is better for the planet!
Best alternative for serious off-roading
2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak
$48,475
This SUV has some serious oomph! A turbocharged engine and approach and departure angles of 43.2 and 37 degrees, respectively, make this ride your ideal off-roader.
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

While driving an off-road vehicle can be a lot of fun, paying the higher insurance costs that come with driving a “higher-risk” vehicle is definitely not fun.
What’s the solution? Shopping with the
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