As Q1 sales numbers reveal, most automakers have bounced back after a slow year in 2020. Big incentives even pushed some automakers, like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, to hit record-breaking sales. Mazda also broke records of its own.

According to a recent Mazda press release, the automaker enjoyed a 58.4 percent increase in sales compared to May 2020. Mazda’s daily selling rate also rose by 69.2 percent. The brand offers quite a few impressive cars, but which models enjoyed the biggest boost in popularity?

Mazda had an exceptional May 2021

May has been the most successful month for Mazda in 2021, according to GoodCarBadCar. The Mazda CX-9 enjoyed the best month of its entire lifespan, selling 4,409 units. It’s a midsize SUV with an efficient and powerful engine, plus an infotainment interface update for 2021.

The Mazda CX-30 also hit its peak this month with 7,959 units sold. It’s a relatively newer SUV, so it doesn’t have the longstanding reputation of its peers. Still, it comes with a great selection of standard features and a nice optional turbo engine.

What was the best-selling Mazda model in May?

The Mazda CX-5 was the automaker’s most popular vehicle last spring, selling 42,187 vehicles, according to GoodCarBadCar. That’s close to twice the units it sold in May 2020, which amounted to 24,933. The CX-5 was also one of the best-selling models for the month of June, moving 32,605 units off dealership lots.

The Mazda CX-5 has sold a total of 88,113 vehicles for 2021 in the U.S. If it can keep this momentum, it’s well on its way to beating its 2020 record of 146,420 vehicles sold. The CX-5’s Canadian sales have also enjoyed a substantial increase, especially in April.

Is the CX-5 worth buying?

The Mazda CX-5’s base engine has 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and FWD. Its available turbocharged engine makes 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, which can be paired with Mazda’s i-Activ AWD. It works just like traditional AWD. Only it can detect potential terrain changes in real-time.

The Mazda CX-5’s turbo engine is standard on the Carbon Edition Turbo, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trims. You get better acceleration with this engine, but Kelley Blue Book says you can get the same results by putting the base engine in Sport mode. Every CX-5 has easy and lively handling.

Sticking with the base engine also gets you the best gas mileage, 25/31 mpg city/highway. Adding AWD only drops its efficiency by one point each. The turbo-four is still conservative on fuel, earning 23/28 mpg at best. 

While KBB didn’t think the ride was the most comfortable, its overall performance makes it worthwhile to drive. The interior also looks stylish and comes with comfortable and supportive seats. Cloth upholstery is standard, but the higher trims come with leather and heated front seats. Legroom isn’t as generous for the second row, but most adults should still feel accommodated.

Even the base trim comes decently equipped with smartphone integration, an HD Radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Drivers can use touch controls or physical knobs to control most functions. It also comes with several essential driver’s aids, like forward automatic emergency braking and lane centering technology.

The Mazda CX-5 is affordable, starting at only $25,370, Mazda shows. Opting for the fully loaded Signature trim will cost $37,505 or above, depending on options. Given these reasonable prices and good qualities, we can see why the CX-5 is so popular this year.