The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV built from 2013 to 2026 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 100% of those on record. Between 2013 and 2027 it grew 14 cm longer and gained 204 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the CX-5 is
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV that Mazda built from 2013 to 2026 — 14 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2026. It has been offered with 4-cyl, Hybrid power. Its closest siblings in the Mazda range: CX-50, CX-30, CX-9.
Where the CX-5 is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 2,040 CX-5s on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JM3 | 2013-2026 |
Check your own: the first three characters of its VIN decide which line above it belongs to. What every character in a CX-5 VIN means →
CX-5 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2025 | 455 cm | 270 cm | 1543 kg | - | - |
| 2026-2027 | 469 cm | 282 cm | 1747 kg | +14 cm | +204 kg |
Between 2013 and 2027 the CX-5 gained 14 cm in length (+3.1%) and 204 kg in weight (+13.2%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced. Full dimensions by year →
Mazda CX-5 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Mazda CX-5 have? Power & range
The Mazda CX-5 is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4WD | Regular |
| Hybrid | 2.5L · 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Mazda CX-5 tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Mazda CX-5 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your CX-5's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The CX-5 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | CX-5 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 33 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 2,168 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,185/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 829 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Mazda CX-5?
The CX-5 is a compact SUV, built from 2013 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid.
Where is the Mazda CX-5 made?
Across 2,040 cars in our records the split is: Japan (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the CX-5 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2026. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the CX-5 grew 14 cm longer and gained 204 kg.
What is the Mazda CX-5 warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the CX-5 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific CX-5?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.