Skip to main content

Are you looking to purchase a 2018 Mazda CX-5? This reliable Mazda SUV has solid scores across the board from critics and drivers. Check out some of the awards this SUV has taken home, in addition to pricing for the various Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims.

How reliable is the 2018 Mazda CX-5?

A 2018 Mazda CX-5 on the road
The reliable used SUV, a 2018 Mazda CX-5 | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 is a well-priced and reliable SUV. U.S. News rated the 2018 model number one on the list of Affordable Compact SUVs. The Hyundai Tuscon and Ford Escape came in second and third.

The CX-5 was number one in a few categories, like Affordable Compact SUVs, Affordable Crossover SUVs, and affordable SUVs with 2 Rows.

J.D. Power and U.S. News ranked the CX-5 3.5 out of five. U.S. News called the safety score “superb” and rated it 9.8 out of 10. Some of the standard safety features include a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and collision warning.

It is offered in a few trims such as Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring options.

There are currently two open recalls for the 2018 CX-5. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) recalled the 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and Mazda3 vehicles due to an error in the powertrain control module.

This could unexpectedly stall the engine while in use. The recall impacted approximately 262,220 vehicles. You can check the recalls on the NHTSA website. As long as you fix all of the recalls on your SUV, your car should remain road-ready.

What is the best year for the Mazda CX-5?

U.S. News ranks the Mazda CX-5 in a few different categories. Critics’ rating, performance, interior, safety, and reliability. With all of these categories taken into consideration, the CX-5 also gets an overall score.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 scored an 8.6 overall. It scored a 9.8 from the critics and a 9.9 safety rating. It also ranked pretty high in the SUV categories. The newest model has many safety features standard and gets 25 miles per gallon in the city, 31 on the highway.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 scored a 9.8 from the critics and a 9.9 for safety. This year included other safety features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. While these used to be optional, Mazda now includes these features standard.

In 2018, the CX-5 scored an 8.7 overall. This included a 9.4 from the critics and a 9.8 for safety. It came in number one on numerous lists, including Affordable Compact SUVs, Affordable Crossover SUVs, and Affordable SUVs with 2 Rows.

What are the used SUV prices?

You can find 2018 Mazda CX-5 SUVs on various websites such as AutoTrader and CarMax. There is a 2018 front-wheel-drive Sport edition with 13,727 miles available for $21,131.

The used front-wheel-drive Touring edition with 32,821 miles is listed at $20,991. A higher-end Grand Touring edition with 21,256 miles is listed at $23,441.

Generally, the used CX-5 SUV is affordable and between $18,000 and $25,000, depending on the miles. You can compare the prices on Kelley Blue Book to ensure you are getting a good deal.

As you can see, there are a variety of options available on the used market. Make sure you get the car inspected before purchasing and make sure the previous owner has maintained it.

Best in SUVs
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.