The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most popular options for consumers shopping for a safe, reliable, and practical compact SUV. That said, a brand-new 2021 Mazda CX-5 starts at about $26,000, and many folks might not want to spend that much money. Fortunately, several Mazda CX-5 model years are affordable yet safe. Here’s a look at them. 

The safest and cheapest cars on the market

Consumers look at many factors when shopping for a car. And safety and price are typically important. This is especially true for parents who are buying a new car for their teen. That’s why the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety created a list of the best cars for teens. But this list is also helpful for anyone looking for a cheap yet safe car.

That’s where the IIHS ratings come in. If a vehicle performs well in every crash test area and if it has the necessary standard safety features, the IIHS will award it the Top Safety Pick+ distinction. Because the IIHS’s criteria are strict, not that many vehicles win the award. But not many Top Safety Pick+ vehicles are affordable, either.

That’s where the Mazda CX-5 comes in.

These are the best Mazda CX-5 model years

According to the IIHS, several CX-5 model years are safe and affordable. This makes sense since the CX-5 has a reputation as a good used car. Indeed, any 2014 model or later (built after October 2013) appears on the IIHS list. 

These models years make the list for many reasons, but safety is a big factor. The reason why the IIHS recommends CX-5s built after October 2013 is because the 2013 model year has a lower safety rating. It’s still a relatively safe SUV, but it earned only a Top Safety Pick award. However, every CX-5 from the 2014 model year to today has won the Top Safety Pick+ award.

Not only that, but a used 2014 Mazda CX-5 is also the most affordable small SUV on the list. According to the IIHS, it starts at around $9,300, significantly cheaper than a brand-new CX-5.

It’s also much cheaper than the competition. For instance, the Nissan Rogue is the runner-up. However, a used 2014 Rogue starts at about $10,100 — about $800 more than a used 2014 CX-5.

An overview of the 2014 Mazda CX-5

Furthermore, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 is a good vehicle overall even though it’s seven years old. Consumer Reports recommends this model, and its ratings show why.

The 2014 CX-5 performs well in many categories, especially in safety and reliability. In fact, it scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for reliability. It also impresses in fuel economy and driving experience, for which Mazda is known. 

But like most vehicles, the 2014 CX-5 has some problem areas. For example, it isn’t very comfortable, scoring only 53 out of 100 in that category. In addition, though the 2014 model is safe and reliable, it has a few recalls. It has had four recalls, according to Consumer Reports. They involve the fuel system and liftgate.

However, despite these issues, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 is overall a safe pick at an affordable price.