Not many vehicles can claim to be a triple-threat of being budget-friendly, offering gorgeous design, and providing a smooth, quiet ride. The 2021 Mazda CX-5 checks all of those boxes and more, making it an excellent choice if you’re looking for a new compact SUV. 

The 2021 Mazda CX-5’s exterior

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 makes its first impression from the front with a stunning mesh grille, narrow headlights, and a sleek nose. Every Mazda CX-5 features LED headlights, enhancing safety by allowing you to best see your surroundings at night or in dreary weather conditions. 

The 2021 Mazda CX-5‘s rear end looks great too. It features swooping tail lights and artful curves that continue the sleek look. The dual-rounded exhaust pipes also provide a refined aesthetic. Overall, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 looks more like a jacked-up hatchback than an SUV because of its compact stature, but that doesn’t detract from its stylishness. 

Inside the 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5’s interior looks refined and feels luxurious. It features high-quality materials and options for customization on higher trims. The CX-5 also boasts a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Many Mazda owners in the past had justifiable gripes about their vehicle’s tech, but the latest model sought to change that, Consumer Reports says.

The 2021 CX-5 comes equipped with a larger infotainment screen than past models (10.25-inch instead of 7.0-inch) and has more driver assistance features than ever before. But despite these improvements, the infotainment system still relies on knobs instead of a simple touchscreen, which might be annoying to some drivers. 

Another potential drawback to the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is its limited cargo space compared to competitors. This won’t be a problem if you typically don’t have much stuff to tote around, but if you regularly haul lots of equipment, you might have to consider a different model. 

This crossover is quiet, cost-effective, and beautiful

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 packs a relatively powerful 187-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes it easy and fun to drive. But Mazda still made the interior quiet. The peaceful cabin is ideal if you make regular hands-free phone calls, have napping children, or enjoy less noise. Consumer Reports attributes the CX-5’s quietness to some added weight. However, the weight also makes this SUV’s fuel efficiency a bit worse than other compact crossovers. Despite that minor drawback, the CX-5 is easy on your wallet. 

Its starting price is an affordable $25,370. It can also help you save money due to its high predicted reliability rating, meaning you won’t have to shell out a lot of extra cash for unforeseen repairs nearly as often as other vehicles. It will retain its value longer than other brands, and it will last you a long time. 

Finally, this vehicle is stunning inside and out. So, if you’re hunting for a compact SUV that really has its act together, be sure to take a look at the 2021 Mazda CX-5.